We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephy below.

Stephy, appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

A lot of couples who find me are either referred by someone or stumble upon me on Yelp, where they quickly realize I’m either completely insane, brutally honest, or a delightful mix of both. This particular couple loved that I was “real”—no filters, no pretending, just the genuine article. What you see on my site is exactly what you get in person, and they appreciated that.

These two were all about helping others and were involved with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a nonprofit supporting athletes with physical challenges. So, when we get to the wedding, guess who the officiant is? A surprise celebrity, and not just any celebrity—the Bill Walton, basketball legend and walking skyscraper. I mean, the man is nearly 7 feet tall, so when he stood next to me, I felt like a child trying to play grown-up. And ironically, his wife was about my height, which I’m sure made her the “normal-sized” one in their relationship.

Now, I’m not saying I have a thing for towering people, but let’s just say I’ve got an entire gallery of photos standing behind giants. So, when Bill Walton loomed over me, I just added it to my collection.

Everyone was in total awe of his presence, and the couple was beyond grateful. It’s not every day you have a celebrity officiate your wedding, and I’m pretty sure Bill Walton’s height will forever be the wedding’s most memorable feature—right after the vows, of course!

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’ve been “shooting” people (with my camera, not a gun) for almost 18 years now, and it’s the best thing ever. There’s something magical about freezing moments in time, all while trying to convince people that my “crazy” ideas actually work. I want everyone to feel comfortable and know that their vision is just as important as my wild, artistic brain. People who know me “know me” – I treat my clients like friends. Some of those friends I might only see once a year, but we’ll pick up right where we left off like no time has passed. Oh, and my clients know they can text or email me anytime—I’m that person who replies instantly, like a slightly overenthusiastic friend (even though I’m dead inside). You really can’t go wrong with Stephy…unless you don’t hire me. Then you’re on your own.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have a classic love-hate relationship with social media. It’s like that one friend who’s always either starting drama or planning a potluck. On one hand, it’s a breeding ground for negativity and keyboard warriors, but on the other, it can spark awareness and unite people—so, yeah, it’s on my “never gonna fully love it, but can’t live without it” list. These days, I post what I call “teasers” after my sessions (if my clients are up for it). It’s like a mini movie trailer of how awesome they are, giving them a chance to relive their day and make sure their anxiety doesn’t have time to grab popcorn. It makes them happy, and me less worried about losing my social media soul to the dark side.

My advice to others is to be authentic. Because not everything is what it seems on social media and sooner or later they find out and then uh oh spaghetti o’s.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part has definitely been meeting incredible people along the way—often when you least expect it, or just when you’re about to trip over your own feet in public and roll down a hill during a photoshoot (totally answering for a friend, of course). But seriously, the people I’ve met have had such a positive impact on my life. Whether it’s watching their families grow over the years or turning a business connection into a lifelong friendship, it’s the relationships that truly make it all worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stephywong.com
• Instagram: stephywongphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephywong.photos/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stephy-wong-photography-san-diego-2

Image Credits

Stephy Wong Photography