We were lucky to catch up with Patricia Perryman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Patricia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it definitely wasn’t like that from day one.

When I first started, photography was something I loved that slowly turned into paid work. In the beginning, I was juggling other jobs and side hustles while taking on sessions and weddings wherever I could. I said yes to a lot, sometimes underpriced myself, and learned as I went. Those early years were very much about building experience, finding my style, and proving to myself that this could actually work.

A big turning point came when I stopped treating it like a side hobby and started treating it like a real business. I raised my prices, created clear collections, used contracts, and invested in education and systems that made my life easier. I also leaned more into storytelling and emotion, not just delivering pretty photos, but creating an experience where my clients felt comfortable and taken care of. That shift made a huge difference.

Another milestone was realizing I didn’t have to put all my eggs in one basket. I focused more intentionally on weddings, brought in second shooters and collaborators, added video, and eventually expanded into content creation and brand work. Having multiple income streams helped with slow seasons and gave me more stability.

It definitely took time, years, not months. There were seasons of burnout, doubt, and financial stress, and plenty of moments where I questioned if this was sustainable. What kept me going was consistency, relationships, and being willing to grow and evolve instead of staying stuck.

Looking back, I probably could have sped things up by raising my prices sooner, investing in education earlier, and setting up better systems from the start. I also would have trusted my voice and style more instead of comparing myself to everyone else, and asked for help sooner. Community and mentorship really do matter.

The journey wasn’t always easy or glamorous, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Building a full-time creative career came from patience, intention, and treating my creativity with the respect of a real profession.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m Patty, a Central Florida–based wedding and portrait photographer and creative. I got into photography from a genuine love of storytelling and human connection. What started as simply wanting to document meaningful moments slowly grew into a full creative career built around capturing emotion, relationships, and the in-between moments that often matter most.

I’ve been photographing weddings and families for several years now, and my work has evolved alongside me. Today, I primarily offer wedding and portrait photography, with an emphasis on timeless, light-filled imagery and honest storytelling. I also work with brands and small businesses on content creation, helping them show up online in a way that feels natural, aligned, and intentional.

At the heart of what I do is people. My clients often tell me they’re nervous about being in front of the camera, and that’s one of the biggest problems I help solve. I guide my couples and families through the process so it never feels stiff or forced. My goal is to create an experience where you feel comfortable, seen, and fully present, so the photos reflect who you truly are, not just what the day looked like.

What I think sets me apart is the balance I bring between creativity and structure. I’m deeply emotional and story-driven in my work, but I’m also highly organized and intentional behind the scenes. From timelines to communication to day-of guidance, I’m there as both a calm presence and a hype girl. I care just as much about how the experience feels as I do about the final images.

I’m most proud of building a business that allows me to serve people during some of the most meaningful seasons of their lives while staying true to my values. I’ve photographed over a hundred weddings, worked with countless families and small businesses, and grown a brand rooted in trust, warmth, and genuine connection. None of it has been overnight, and that’s something I’m proud of too. Every step has been intentional.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is that this work is personal to me. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all experiences. I believe in showing up fully, listening closely, and creating something that feels honest and lasting. My brand is built on connection, emotion, and care, and if you value those things, you’ll feel right at home here.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is getting to preserve moments that would otherwise pass by too quickly. There’s something really powerful about knowing that the work I create becomes part of someone’s story, something they’ll look back on years from now and feel all over again.

I also love the connection that comes with it. Being invited into such meaningful seasons of people’s lives is something I never take lightly. Whether it’s a wedding day, a growing family, or a small business building their dream, there’s a lot of trust involved, and that relationship is just as important to me as the final product.

On a personal level, being a creative gives me a sense of purpose. It allows me to blend emotion, intuition, and structure in a way that feels very true to who I am. It’s rewarding to build something with my hands, my eye, and my heart, and to know that it genuinely matters to the people I’m creating for.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my career came when I made the decision to go full force into my own business after being a part owner of another wedding photography company.

For a long time, being part of a shared brand felt safe. Gaining experience, but deep down I knew there was a version of my work and my voice that wasn’t fully being expressed. Walking away from something established was scary. It meant stepping out from behind a name that people already trusted and putting all of that trust back onto myself.

That pivot forced me to believe in my own abilities in a way I hadn’t before. I had to push myself out of my comfort zone, not just creatively, but personally and professionally. I had to be the one making the decisions, setting the prices, communicating with clients, and owning both the wins and the mistakes. There was no safety net anymore, and that was equal parts terrifying and empowering.

What surprised me most was how much clarity came from that decision. Once I fully committed to my own business, I became more intentional with my brand, my storytelling, and the type of experience I wanted to create for my clients. I leaned into connection, emotion, and care, and allowed my work to reflect who I truly am, not just what was expected of me.

That pivot wasn’t easy, and it didn’t come without growing pains. But it taught me to trust myself, to take up space, and to stop playing small. Choosing myself and my vision was the moment everything began to align, and it’s been one of the most defining and rewarding decisions of my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,createdbypatty.com
• Instagram: @createdbypatty
• Facebook: @createdbypatty