We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie A. Morrison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie A., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I knew as I started pursuing Photography that I did not want my name to be included in My Business Name. I don’t want people to know who I am by My Business Name. When people look at photos I have taken, I want them to know the story of who, what, or where is in My Photo. My favorite moments to capture with my camera are candid moments. I’m also a dreamer. I made the decision to pursue photography in the fall of 2020 and while I was brainstorming Business Names, the name “Candid Dreamer” just came to me. I added Photos to it and that’s how My Photography Business was named!

One of my favorite quotes is: “Wherever you go, go with all of your heart” by: Confucius. This quote was on the keychain I used the entire time I was in College. I also put this quote on my cap when I Graduated from College. When I had My Business Logo created, I knew I wanted a heart as well as an arrow in it to represent this quote because I put my heart and soul in every single thing I do everywhere I go.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born and raised in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. I have always loved stories in all forms throughout my life: music, books, movies, and especially photographs.

All of my friends and family joke about how I always have a camera in my hand and in their faces. I’ve been known to fuss until everyone is looking at the camera and smiling a time or two. But you know, they thank me for capturing all of those memories now and I’ve learned to cherish those candid moments when people aren’t posing or ready for the camera. Because you know what…that right there is real life and those are the moments worth remembering and sharing. It’s the most rewarding feeling to see someone share one of my photographs on social media and know they have saved that moment forever!

Honestly, being a photographer was always a dream of mine, but doubts, fears, insecurities, and feeling required to follow a more practical career pulled me away from what I’m truly passionate about. Life led me to everything from running a cash register to teaching in a classroom, but one constant through each season was my desire to learn more about people. I love getting to know people, where they’re from, what they’ve been through, and what makes them who they are.

In 2020, (Yes, that crazy year where the world turned upside down.) I made the decision to finally combine my love of photography and interest in people to go after that dream of becoming a photographer. Because why not?! Life is too short. The least I could do is try.

So here I am learning as I go and looking forward to telling stories through photographs!

I Believe Everyone Has A Story Worth Telling. & I have learned that at the end of the day…People are more alike than different. All we have to do is simply take a moment to get to know someone and connect with them.

My Favorite Word is Hope. & I’m also a Dreamer. I always have been. & I always will be. For The First Time in my life…I can honestly say I am FINALLY following My Dreams instead of just talking about them. & I still can’t believe that it’s actually happening. I have poured my entire heart and soul into Candid Dreamer Photos since 2020. It’s been both Nerve-Wracking and Exciting. Life Is Way Too Short. So I Took A Chance. It might have been a Risk…But I have no doubt that it will be more than worth it. I want to encourage others to Dream Big & Hope Always!

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My Mission is to travel the world and to share stories of people, places, and things by using photographs from my travels. One of the things I have always wanted in life is to be seen, heard, and understood. I want to be someone who sees, hears, and understands people, places, and things as well. I also want to help others see, hear, and understand the people, places, and things that I photograph.

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

The most rewarding aspect as a creative is being the person that someone chooses to document a moment in their life. I never take the responsibility of being a photographer lightly whether I’m photographing a Birthday, Branding Photos, Graduation Photos, Headshots, Events, Family Photos, Maternity Photos, Newborn Photos, Summer Camp, a Surprise Proposal, a Wedding, etc. It is truly an honor to be the person taking photos for someone and knowing you are capturing memories for them that they will always cherish regardless of what the occasion is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.candiddreamer.photos/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candid.dreamer.photos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candid.dreamer.photos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-morrison-811736243/

Image Credits
Image Credit For Personal Photo: Emily Brady (The Other 9 Images Are All Taken By Me.)