15 Years of Casie Marie Photography, Capturing Love and Memories
Fifteen years. It’s amazing to reflect on 15 Years of Casie Marie Photography. Fifteen years of joy, capturing weddings, preserving moments that help people relive cherished memories, forging special connections, and celebrating love in all its forms. This August, I’m pausing to take it all in and celebrate this incredible milestone.
When I started, I had no idea what adventure life had in store. I’ve been privileged to capture love stories across amazing destinations, witness once-in-a-lifetime moments from behind the lens, and watch some of my very first clients grow into families of their own. Along the way, I’ve grown both as a photographer and as a person.
If this is your first time joining me on the blog, grab a coffee (or your favorite cozy drink), and welcome to my reflection on 15 years of Casie Marie Photography. To my clients, friends, and family: this celebration wouldn’t be possible without you. Each and every amazing one of you.
How It All Started
The real start of my photography journey goes back to the summer of 2008, when I traveled across the country with my mother, grandmother, and grandfather. We rode in my grandparents’ fifth-wheel trailer from Florida to California, then up to Oregon, and all the way back home. During that adventure, my grandfather let me borrow his Kodak digital camera so I could capture moments from our trip. When we stopped in Yosemite National Park, I visited the Ansel Adams photography gallery. Seeing his beautiful black and white landscapes made a deep impression on me. I tried to emulate his style, and I fell in love with photography in a new way.
From the fall of 2008 through the spring of 2010, I photographed anything and everything. People quickly became my favorite subjects. By my senior year of high school, I had taken senior portraits for nearly 15 classmates.
In the fall of 2010, I bought my first “big girl” camera (a Rebel t2i package from Beach Camera), thanks to a few scholarships. Curious to learn more, I signed up for a digital photography class at the community college. I had no expectations. I remember being completely new to terms like aperture and shutter speed, but I was eager to learn. Even though the photo editing techniques didn’t always inspire me, I kept shooting portraits, still lifes, and moments with family, friends, and pets. At the same time, I was studying to become an education major.
When I started college at the University of Central Florida in the fall of 2011, my focus shifted to music. I was a music major working toward a degree in Secondary Music Education so I could become a high school choral music director. But, in 2012, I photographed my very first wedding. I’ll always remember the nerves I felt and how deeply I wanted to get it right for the couple. Every detail mattered, and standing there, capturing those special moments, I realized I had found something extraordinary.
In the spring of 2015, I was placed for my senior internship with Carlton Kilpatrick, the vice president of the Florida Music Education Association, at Lake Brantley High School. That experience was incredible, and I remain grateful for everything I learned there. During one conversation in the office about my future, Carlton gave me advice that changed everything. He said, “You have the talent to do this, you have the drive, but if your heart is not fully into it, and you have something else that you believe in and love doing, then you should follow what you believe will make you the happiest and see where it can take you.” That moment made me realize where my passion truly was.
Though I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Music Education that June, photography had already stolen my heart. At the same time, I worked as a server at Ruby Tuesday while trying to see what I could achieve with photography. From July 2015 through July 2016, I set a personal challenge: to earn $30,000, the starting pay for a teacher in my county. When August 2016 arrived, I realized I had reached (and even surpassed) that goal.
On August 31, 2016, everything became real. That day, I officially applied to turn my hobby into a business. With support from an incredible CPA and encouragement from friends, Casie Marie Photography LLC was born.
The Moments That Shaped the Journey
These past 15 years are a scrapbook of unforgettable memories and pivotal milestones.
Disney Dreams Come True
One magical turning point came in 2016 when I captured my very first ever Disney wedding aboard the Disney Magic Cruise Ship. It was every bit as spectacular as you’d imagine, a fairytale unfolding on the waves. PS: Keep reading to see more Disney work! That same year, I rebranded my business from “Chaotic Photography” to Casie Marie Photography, aligning my work and style with the clarity I’d gained through experience. (View the full blog post from 2016 : HERE )
A Workshop That Changed Everything
Also in 2016, I attended a photography workshop at the breathtaking Zion National Park with Tyler Rye Photography. From the moment I stepped into the park with my camera, it felt like a creative awakening. I fell in love with the art of storytelling through natural light and developed a deeper focus on composition, layering emotion into every shot. (View the full blog post from 2016 : HERE )
Destination Photography Highlights
Travel has always been a part of my story, and destination weddings have brought so much inspiration to my life. From Cancun, Mexico, to Paris, France, I’ve been honored to capture love in some of the most awe-inspiring places.
Photographing wedding gowns at the Palace of Versailles as part of a creative retreat, that I co-hosted with one of my BEST friends, in Paris is a memory I’ll always treasure. There’s something magical about blending art, travel, and connection. I hope for many more chapters like this in the coming years.
Do you want to know my biggest dream? It’s to photograph weddings in Italy or Switzerland one day. Maybe the rolling hills of Tuscany or Alpine views will be the setting for the next adventure. Fingers crossed!
Building Relationships That Last
While destination weddings and incredible milestones are special, the heart of what I do is the relationships I build with my clients.
Take Cassidy and Kylor, for example. They’ve been part of my photography journey since I captured photos of the two of them as a couple right before Cassidy started college in 2015. Over the years, I’ve documented their engagement, wedding, the arrival of their sweet son, and countless family milestones. Being woven into their story as their family has grown has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, not to mention having them as some of our closest friends now!
Each session reaffirms why I love this job. It’s more than taking pictures. It’s about creating heirlooms that tell the stories of love, connection, and joy for generations to come. (See the full proposal session with Cassidy & Kylor : HERE )
Challenges and Silver Linings
Every career has its challenges, and photography is no different. There have been bumps along the way, whether it was figuring out how to balance creativity and business, or remaining resilient during tough seasons like 2020. However, challenges often reveal unexpected silver linings.
Micro-weddings and smaller, more intimate celebrations became a highlight of 2020. Witnessing these moments reminded me of one simple truth: love finds its way, no matter what.
Through every hurdle, I’ve found comfort in the support of my clients, friends, and fellow photographers who have cheered me on through the years.
Looking to the Next Chapter
Fifteen years in, I’m as passionate as the day I started, if not more so. To date, I’ve photographed over 300 couples, ventured into commercial and brand photography, and have continued to serve not one, but two wonderful regions: Central Florida and North Carolina. While my husband Logan and I dream of someday calling Raleigh, North Carolina our permanent home, for now we’re happily balancing roots in both locations.
This milestone is a perfect chance to reflect, but also an opportunity to dream about the next chapter. I look forward to more love stories, more creativity, and a 100+ more times that I will cry during the Father-Daughter dance at the reception (I know, but it’s my favorite part of the wedding day).
This celebration isn’t just about me. It’s about you! Those couples who’ve trusted me, supported me, and invited me into your lives, Thank you. Every giddy smile when you first kiss as a married couple, every laugh during a family portrait session, every pop of my knees at the studio (if you know you know) and every spark of joy on your wedding day have made this milestone possible.
Here’s to another 15 Years of Casie Marie Photography
Thank you,
– Casie Marie Elton
Happy birthday to Casie Marie Photography, August 31, 2016
