We were lucky to catch up with Summer Stehr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Summer , appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

As a whole, I am more than happy as a business owner. There have been times, though, that I felt it wasn’t for me. When I’m drowning in editing work and I don’t see an end, when the work of piling up and I feel I am stuck “at work” 12/7. It’s the most stressful thing I have ever done.. with that though it is also the most amazingly rewarding!
Owning a business is so much more than what a person sees on the outside. It goes deep, and things are HARD.
Then I get that client that makes me forget about all the rethinking I did. They make me remember the magic in what i get to do create everyday. I’m an artist and that’s something i should show proudly to the world. Through the hardship of it all, I always get reminded that just when i need it the most. I’m so lucky.

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

I’m a lifestyle wedding photographer! I specialize in couples, families, and portraits! I strive to show a story through my work, so that my clients can really feel the memories they created while looking back on the art that I made for them. I want to pull the emotion out of everyone I meet. It’s beautiful what rawness can come from that!

I remember the first time I picked up my mom’s camera, it was like i never put it down again. Since that moment I’ve had the itch to create! I used to make my sister and cousins sit in the bushes in my parent’s yard and pose for me. I loved making them feel good and I still feel that same way more than 15 years later.

When a client books with me, we become more than that professional relationship. I think it’s important to have a friendship with every person I work with. If we feel comfortable with each other before the wedding or session it makes things so much easier and more enjoyable for my clients. That’s number one for me, comfortability in whatever and whoever they are. I’m excepting of every person. Aside from that, I think it’s important to note that I do not limit the amount of edited photos you receive from me. You will get every edited photo that I feel holds something important! I don’t cap that and I think my clients enjoy living through the moments of their session.

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

I think as a photographer you are constantly changing the direction of your business. It’s important the keep up with the industry. While keeping that in mind though we also have to stick to what’s important to us and how we run our business. It’s a thin line to walk!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth is SO important in my community! It’s crazy what a friend telling a friend can do for me. I live in a very small town so it took some time for me to start venturing out of that! Social media is great for that and I rely heavily on that. I’m finally happy with where I am but I can wait to grow even bigger and better!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: summerstehrphotography
• Facebook: Summer Stehr Photography