We were lucky to catch up with Savanna Velthoven recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Savanna, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The heart of my business comes down to loving people and making sure all moments are documented. As a kid, I always loved making art and using my iPod Touch or mom’s digital camera to take pictures. I loved finding new perspectives on ordinary things. I never thought much of photography, though. I never knew it could be a career. Fast forward to Christmas of 2017. I was in my senior year of college, and my mother surprised me with my first DSLR. It was a gift I didn’t know I wanted or needed so badly. She saw something in me that I did not see in myself. Just two days later, my mother unexpectedly and suddenly passed away.

I started using that camera to document large and small moments in my life. I learned quickly that you can never have too many photographs, especially of those you love. One day, your loved ones will wish they had even more. After college, I served as a nanny and a social media coordinator for a local church. This motivated me to learn how to use my camera better and take better photos. I would practice my skills at both jobs, and quickly fell in love with documenting moments as they are happening.

Through these jobs, families learned of me and began asking me to take photos for them. One job led to the next, and once I realized there was a demand for work, I decided to start my business. My business “launch’ consisted of making a single Facebook post asking friends and family for a small amount of money in exchange for family photos, and all that money would go toward buying a professional camera. The post worked, and soon I was able to purchase my first professional camera in 2021. Around the same time, I took a job as a photography and media teacher at a Metro Detroit high school, where I was able to share my love for photography with kids and continue refining my skills.

My business continued to grow as I expanded my services to focus on weddings, seniors and lifestyle maternity and newborn photos. Family photos and newborn photos have a special place in my heart because it takes me back to my mission: authentically documenting the people and moments you love most. Life often gets cut short, and it’t worth taking all the photos you can. Especially for the kids when pictures are all they have.

My business continued to grow, and in 2024 I officially left my full-time teaching position to focus on my business. I wake up every day knowing I am serving couples and families with high-quality service that comes from a deep passion to ensure that the photos continue to be treasured for many years to come.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the owner and lead photographer of Savvy Shoots Photography. I specialize in wedding photography and maternity/newborn lifestyle photography. One of the biggest issues I saw in the photography industry was a lack of trust-worthy photographers. I experienced this first hand when I hired my own photographer (my original photographer ghosted me and I had to hire a new one just a few months before the wedding – they were great!). Even before I started my business, there was often a lack of communication or relationship with photographers I hired for various occasions.

I pledge to always be transparent and authentic with my clients while keeping in clear communication. Especially when photographing a wedding! I always respond to messages as soon as possible, and I make sure to check in with clients, host Zoom meetings and maintain a relationship with them. I am always honest and open because I want us to trust each other to get the best and most genuine photos possible during the wedding day.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My side hustle as a photographer really started back in the summer of 2021 as I was starting my job as a full-time photography and media teacher. While teaching, I spent my evenings and weekends practicing my photography skills with couples, families and weddings. I started contracting with a few big wedding companies as well, which taught me a lot about the industry! Training under experienced photographers also helped me strengthen my skills and understand how to professionally run a wedding day.

From 2021-2023, my business began to grow to demand full-time attention. Essentially, I was working two full time jobs until I decided to leave my teaching position in January of 2024. It was scary and intimidating, but I believe God had been pushing me for months to leave my position. So far, I have no regrets and cannot wait to see how my business grows!

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

Contact Info:

• Website: www.savvyshootsphotos.com
• Instagram: @savvyshootsphotos
• Facebook: @savvyshootsphotos

Image Credits
The headshot of me was taken by Jordan Marrow Photography The rest of the images are my original work