We recently had the chance to connect with Cade Wesley and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cade, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to step fully into my role as both an artist and an entrepreneur. For a long time, I played it small because I was afraid of being ‘too much’—too bold, too visible, too different. I worried that if I really showed up as myself, people wouldn’t take me seriously. But I’ve realized that the very thing I used to fear, being truly seen, is exactly what allows me to connect with people on a deeper level. Leaning into that visibility has been both terrifying and freeing, but it’s where the real magic happens—not just in my business, but in the way I live my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cade Wesley, a Houston-based photographer and creative entrepreneur known for delivering bold, elevated imagery with intention. Cade Wesley Photography isn’t about standard sessions — it’s about creating an experience where every detail matters, from the energy on set to the final gallery. My background in cosmetology gives me an edge: I know how to style, shape, and highlight people in a way that makes them feel confident and powerful in front of the camera.
What makes my brand stand out is the balance of polish and personality. I bring confidence, vision, and spontaneity to every shoot, which allows my clients to let their guard down and truly shine. The result isn’t just beautiful photos — it’s work that feels luxe, timeless, and unapologetically authentic.
At the core of everything I do is a belief that people deserve to see themselves as their best selves. Whether it’s a wedding, a portrait, or a brand shoot, my goal is the same: to create imagery that feels intentional, unforgettable, and iconic.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The relationship that shaped me most was with my grandmother — Nanny. Growing up as an only child out in the country, she was my best friend and my partner in crime. By the time I was 11, I was already driving her to her hair appointments, propped up on a pillow just to see over the wheel. Sometimes those little drives turned into bigger adventures, just the two of us shopping and laughing like we didn’t have a care in the world.
She was the strongest, most independent woman I’ve ever known, and she instilled a lesson in me that I carry into everything I do: ‘Don’t ever let someone else tell you who you are. You tell the world who you are. Own it. Express it. And never apologize for it.’ That advice shaped who I am and continues to shape my brand today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. On August 2nd of this year, someone busted the back window of my car and stole my entire camera bag with all my gear inside. Gone in an instant was my Canon R5 — the camera I hustled $3,600 to upgrade to last year after almost a decade with my 5D Mark III — and the three lenses I’d slowly invested in over the years, each one costing almost as much as the camera itself. For me, those weren’t just tools. They represented years of sacrifice, milestones, and hard work.
In that moment, I felt gutted. But giving up wasn’t an option. I reminded myself that my creativity, my vision, and my drive are things no one can steal. I leaned on a photographer I’ve worked with for the last 14 years, borrowed gear, and kept shooting, because photography isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am. That break-in could have broken me, but instead it lit a fire in me to come back harder, smarter, and bolder than before.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say what matters most to me is loyalty and authenticity. I don’t do surface-level. If you’re in my circle, you know I’ll go to the ends of the earth for you — but I expect the same energy back. I care about making people feel seen, celebrated, and confident in who they are, whether that’s in front of my camera or sitting across the table. What really matters to me isn’t chasing clout or keeping up appearances — it’s building real relationships and living in a way that actually means something.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived unapologetically and left everything on the table. That I didn’t play small, I didn’t shrink myself to make others comfortable, and I made people feel seen in a way that went beyond the photographs. I want to be remembered as someone who brought confidence and beauty out of people who didn’t always see it in themselves, and who turned moments into something lasting.
If the story people tell about me is that I was loyal, authentic, and bold enough to chase what I wanted — even when it scared me — then I’ve done my job. I don’t just want to leave behind images; I want to leave behind proof that I stood in my truth and gave others permission to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cadewesley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cadewesley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cadewesleyphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cade-wesley-photography-houston?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
