We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
My family and children are the heart and soul of my journey, the reason behind every click of the shutter as I strive to immortalize the fleeting moments of our lives together. I aspire to be remembered as the one who captured life’s priceless moments, where time stands still in the realization of their worth through a photograph.
I fiercely believe that destiny is crafted by our own hands. I embody the spirit of continuous learning and growth, finding lessons in both experiences and mistakes. I aim to be remembered as the person who weathered storms and discovered rainbows on the other side, a beacon of positivity attracting light and warmth into the world.
I try to approach life with a sense of humor, laughing at myself and fearlessly trying new things, embracing individuality and the courage to walk a different path. Hard work, determination, and the drive to achieve my desires are ingrained in me, a reminder that we can indeed create the life we want. Love and respect are the cornerstones of my being, coupled with an eagerness to seek solutions to every problem and inspire others to see life’s beauty in a new light. Chasing the light, both literally during my sessions and metaphorically, is a pursuit that defines me, as I seek to see the positive, the beautiful, and the uplifting.
Gratitude is woven into every aspect of my life, and I try to be thankful for the blessings and the challenges alike. I hope that my legacy is one of inspiration, encouragement, and a relentless pursuit of the good, leaving behind a trail of captured moments that illuminate the beauty of life. I seek to bless countless lives for generations to come by preserving their cherished memories through my lens.
Stephanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a luxury wedding photographer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and available to capture love stories around the globe. My journey with photography began at a young age, when my mother’s passion for photography surrounded me, with rolls of film, mountains of photographs, and a camera always within reach. Tragically, I learned the priceless value of a photograph when I lost her in a car accident at nine years old. Left with only a handful of cherished photos of her and the two of us together, my passion for capturing life’s fleeting moments was ignited. In 5th grade, my parents entrusted me with taking their camera to school, sparking a lifelong love affair with documenting the world through a lens. Little did I know then that this passion would evolve from glamor shots with my sister in our bedrooms, into a career as an entrepreneur and professional luxury wedding photographer. Today, I feel blessed to pursue a career that not only aligns with my deepest passion but also feels like an authentic extension of who I am.
Beyond photography, I am the wife to an incredible man who is also my second shooter (we call weddings our date night), and a mother to five wonderful kids spanning ages 6 to 22. The year 2020, amidst its challenges, brought the blessing of adopting my three oldest children. In our lively household, we also have three fur babies: a dog and two pampered cats who reign as princesses. When I’m not behind the lens or immersed in editing, you’ll find me embarking on outdoor adventures, exploring new destinations, or wielding a sledgehammer for our ongoing home renovation projects. Yes, we had the brilliant idea to renovate our house while welcoming our fifth child and launching my business, all within the same whirlwind year.
In 2013, upon earning my Graphic Design degree, a cherished moment was marked by a profound gift from my husband and parents: my first Nikon camera. At that time, I envisioned its use for capturing the delicate details of my babies’ tiny toes, the intricate petals of flowers, and the mesmerizing beauty of dragonflies in my backyard. Little did I realize then that this camera would become the conduit for my artistic expression, transforming these simple visions into captivating visual stories.
In the wildest corners of my imagination, I never dared to believe that others would find an interest in my photography, let alone offer actual payment for it. The turning point came in 2017 when a dear friend asked me, months in advance, to photograph her daughter’s Senior portraits in the upcoming Spring, perhaps assuming it was a passing idea. As the date approached, a mix of nervousness and excitement filled me. With courage, I set my camera into manual mode and never looked back. That pivotal day, where passion met purpose, I earned my first $75 doing something that I truly loved. From that moment on, I knew that photography was not just a hobby but a calling, a path where I could immerse myself in creativity and connect with others through the power of imagery. That $75 was not just a sum of money; it was a symbol of the beginning of a fulfilling journey, where each photograph captured was infused with passion, love, and the pursuit of storytelling through my lens.
From that point on, my business has thrived on referrals and word of mouth, with bookings flowing steadily. I dove headfirst into the multifaceted roles of being a business owner—photographer, bookkeeper, social media manager, website designer, marketer, and much, much more—immersing myself in a journey of learning and growth that has been both challenging and immensely rewarding.
With the depth of life experiences that have shaped me, both in joy and in pain, I find a unique ability to connect with my clients on a profound level. Building trust is at the core of my approach, as I see myself not just as a photographer but as a guardian of their most intimate moments. My foremost priority is creating a safe space where clients can fully immerse themselves in the present moment, knowing that I am there to capture the invaluable frames that encapsulate the emotions and movements of their special day. Drawing from my journey, I craft elegant, perfectly timed candids that reveal the personality, emotions, and essence of each individual. It’s not just about the intimate close-ups; I am equally enchanted by the thoughtful settings chosen for the day, the interplay of light and shadow in a venue, or the exquisite details that compose the narrative of their love story. Offering flatlay design and images to all my couples, I aim to capture the beautiful intricacies that define their day. My ultimate goal is to transport you back to the essence of your wedding day, allowing you to relive those cherished moments for generations to come.
In my journey as a wedding photographer, I am deeply honored to have received prestigious awards and recognitions. For three consecutive years, I have been humbled to receive the Couples Choice Award from Wedding Wire and the Best of Weddings award from The Knot. These accolades are a testament to the trust and satisfaction of the couples I’ve had the privilege to work with, and I am profoundly grateful for their support. Additionally, I take great pride in being recognized as a preferred vendor of Utah Valley Bride, featured on esteemed platforms such as Carats & Cake and Two Bright Lights, and being a member of WIPA (Wedding International Professionals Association). Upholding the high standards set by WIPA underscores my dedication to excellence and professionalism in every facet of my work. These esteemed acknowledgments serve as inspiration for me to continually pursue the highest standards in capturing love stories and preserving cherished memories for my clients.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
After years of soul-searching and exploring various paths, I found myself navigating through a myriad of jobs—ten years at ARUP Laboratories, Dr’s office, waitress, Graphic Designer, and student, came the breakthrough moment in 2017, when I earned my first money doing something I truly loved—photography.
It was a turning point, a spark that ignited a fire within me and my husband saw how much it fulfilled me. I was on maternity leave at the time and the clock was running out on when it was time for me to go back to work. This is when we made a bold decision to go all in and turn my passion into a career. It was a leap of faith, a decision to chase a dream and build a life around what truly filled my soul.
After my first breakthrough earnings, we opened a dedicated photography savings account. The dream we placed in this account was simple yet profound—to save enough money through my photography endeavors to one-day purchase plane tickets to California. This trip was meant to be our babymoon, an anticipated vacation we had to cancel due to pregnancy complications. At that moment, the idea of earning enough to support such a trip still felt like an impossible dream. Yet, with each click of the shutter and every session booked, we watched as the savings account slowly grew. It became more than just a fund for a vacation; it was a tangible reminder of my dreams, determination, and purpose.
As I worked and he supported me tirelessly, photographing weddings, families, senior portraits, mission call portraits, engagements, bridals, birth stories, newborns, real estate, and events, our account, and my clientele grew steadily. Finally, the day arrived when we checked the balance and realized that we had exceeded our goals and we could dream as big as we wanted to. This journey taught me that dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem, are achievable with hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief. The photography savings account became a symbol of hope, turning what seemed like an impossible dream into a beautiful reality.
In 2020, after years of honing my craft and gaining invaluable experience in every aspect of photography, I reached a pivotal moment of clarity. I was confident in my abilities and having navigated through every challenge that could arise at weddings—from poor lighting to unpredictable weather to perfecting poses—I made a definitive decision. It was time to dedicate my work exclusively to specializing in weddings.
This choice was not just about focusing on a specific niche; it was a commitment to perfecting the art and craft of capturing love stories. By narrowing my focus to weddings, I could pour all of my passion, expertise, and creativity into these cherished moments. I knew that by specializing, I could provide couples with an unparalleled level of service and dedication, ensuring that every aspect of their special day was captured with precision and artistry.
This decision marked a significant milestone in my career, a declaration of my commitment to excellence in the wedding photography realm. It was a step towards immersing myself fully in the world of weddings, where I could create timeless and emotive images that would be treasured for a lifetime. Since then, specializing solely in weddings has not only deepened my love for the craft but also allowed me to forge deeper connections with my couples, sharing in the joy of their love stories and capturing the magic of their once-in-a-lifetime moments.
With each passing year, my unwavering goal is simple: to do better than the last. This drive propels me forward, pushing the boundaries of what I once thought possible. I am driven by a constant thirst for growth and learning, always striving to improve and evolve. I eagerly anticipate the next chapters of this journey, eager to see where it will take me. With each year, I aim not just to meet expectations but to exceed them, to push the boundaries of creativity and storytelling. The journey of growth and learning is ongoing, and I embrace it wholeheartedly as I continue to pursue my passion.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I am incredibly fortunate to have the best business partner in the world, so much so that I married him! My husband is not only my life partner but also my second shooter in this beautiful journey of photography.
We met in 2009 when I was a Problem Resolution Specialist at ARUP Laboratories. I worked with two of his sisters and brother who also worked there, long before I knew of his existence. He was the new guy in our department, and I just so happened to be his supervisor.
During this time, I had sworn off dating, but after watching him navigate being a single father to 3 young children and working a 10-hour shift beginning at 4 am. I decided he needed a break and I persuaded him to come to a Halloween party with me. He agreed and showed up as Wolverine.
The next week I asked him for the pictures that he took on his camera from Halloween. He said he would trade me the pictures if he could take me to dinner. Of course, I happily accepted his offer, and that dinner turned into the start of our love story. He stands by my side not just as my husband but also as my second shooter while we capture others’ love stories. Our partnership in business and in life is a beautiful blend of love, creativity, and shared dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stephaniesmithphoto.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/steph_smith_photography/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephsmithphotography36
Image Credits
Stephanie Smith Photography