Today we’d like to introduce you to Westy Peck Photography.
Hello Westy Peck Photography, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Photography has always captured my attention. We still look through family photos I took as an elementary student with a digital camera I received one Christmas. I grew in my love for photography through high school while photographing graduating seniors. This also paid for several mission trips I was able to take and share the love of Jesus in places like Slovakia and Uganda! It wasn’t until college when a family friend asked me to photograph their wedding that I found my niche! The moments that are captured during the wedding day are unforgettable and hard to create anywhere else. It is a day full of firsts, lasts, tears, and laughs.
On August 23, 2017, I officially launched my wedding photography business! It was just a side hustle at the time, but I had big hopes as I continued to pursue my degree at Texas A&M University to become a teacher. After graduating with my Master’s degree in 2019, I began teaching kindergarten, first, and second grade. The impact that teachers have on children is special, and I loved getting to be a part of my young students’ lives. While I was teaching, my wedding business started to pick up as well. I was torn between two careers; I could not give 100% to both. My husband and I decided that we would make it a goal to “do less, better”. This is when I decided to go full-time as a wedding photographer. I want to be fully available for my couples leading up to their big day!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What a ride it has been! There have been times when things did not go according to plan but we trust in God as our provider. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, our value is found in Jesus. Knowing that has given us so much freedom, like when quitting a full-time “safe” job to do something I enjoy with my husband, or when we moved from a dirt road in Texas to the wild city of Miami, then back! God has put people and opportunities in place to allow me to continue serving couples through photography. One battle that I continue to fight is comparing myself to others in the industry. I remind myself that I have a style, goal, and client that is ideal for me and not to allow online perception to be my measurement of success.
Every client I have has trusted me to make their day remarkable, so I keep reminding myself that I do this to make their day one to remember, not a “portfolio builder”. Success to me is having couples who can look back at their wedding photos and think of all the wonderful things that happened that day. We want to have a joy that rubs off on everyone, from clients to our fellow vendors. We continue to dream big and do the work it takes to get there, making sure that we keep Jesus at the center of it all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a wedding and portrait photographer. Along with my husband, we are Westy Peck Photography. We specialize in creating and documenting moments that happen in an instant to remember for a lifetime. We are passionate about marriage and feel absolutely honored to be trusted with capturing such a special season in so many couples’ lives. If I had to choose one thing we are most proud of in our business, it would be the way we serve our couples. This is so much more than just a business for us; it’s an opportunity to love others and bring a sense of peace into what can be a chaotic time. Our desire is for people to experience the love of Jesus each time we are together or in conversation. I believe our motive for serving sets our business apart from others. We strive to do all things with excellence, which in turn provides our clients with a remarkable experience and a new friendship! Some other things that we provide to our couples are things like: – A detailed bridal guide with all the answers to questions they didn’t know to ask yet.
– Custom wedding day timeline
– Availability for zoom meetings to help with planning questions
– A fun “we are excited to work with you” gift that may include sparkles.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
An app that has been helpful in planning content on social media is Planoly. I do not necessarily enjoy being on social media, but it is necessary! Having an app like Planoly allows us to plan and schedule content in advance so that we do not have to spend time each day thinking of posts to make. It has freed up so much of our time during the week! A podcast that Kyle and I love listening to is the Simpler podcast. A new episode is shared every Tuesday and it’s something I look forward to each week! It is 3 pastors that we know and love who have helped shape our view on living a life that represents the Gospel well. They discuss a range of topics and provide clarity/context in light of the Gospel.
Amy and Jordan Demos have also been an incredible resources in regard to furthering my education and skills to better serve my couples. We have invested a substantial amount of time and effort into perfecting our craft and figuring out ways to love people better through our photography business.
Pricing:
- Wedding collections begin at $5,000
- Portrait sessions begin at $500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.westypeckphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/westypeckphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/westypeckphotography
Image Credits:
Westy Peck Photography
