We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cassidy Mister. Check out our conversation below.
Cassidy, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Hell to the yeah! I put my entire heart into my sessions and client experience. I truly want my clients to have an amazing stress free experience, capture effortless memories and feel completely taken care of. My business is very personal to me and my experience is an extension of who I am, not just a service that is provided. I truly love creating relationships that blossom into friendships with my client, getting to know them, honoring their story and listening to how they want to be captured. On a mission for everyone to feel seen and then captured.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cassidy! I’m a photographer and graphic designer from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I began my love affair with art as a tiny girl who just loved to color constantly. I then became so fascinated with capturing memories and remembering the smallest details of days that passed with photos. As time went on, I thought about pursuing photography but stumbled upon a graphic design course in high school. Falling in love and feeling completely in my element, I went off to Salisbury University to pursue a degree in Graphics. During my BFA program, I ended up having photography courses with a professor whom helped me structure a completely new mindset when it came to being successful as a photographer. I began capturing humans for projects then slowly began gaining confidence taking on clients! Graduating with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with a double concentration in photography, I stayed in my salary graphic design position for few years after grad. My photography business booming behind the scenes and I simply couldn’t do the two any longer, so I resigned and pursed photography full time! It’s been over ten years now being a full time photographer whose business survived the pandemic and has evolved a multitude of times since first bring created. As the years have passed, I have leaned back into my graphic design knowledge and love, creating re-brands for small businesses, constructing websites and curating social media management amongst brand photography to elevate all their branding collateral. I love to teach other small business owners graphic design and photography knowledge. I’m an open book and believe everyone can benefit from a different perspective.
To sum it all up, I became a mom in 2022 and had my second baby in 2023, so my workload and daily life has changed while being a full time mom to two wonderful boys, My work life has shifted with less availability but a whole new perspective to family and newborn photography that I absolutely cherish getting to capture.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. He is the hardest worker I have ever known and always encouraged me to keep going. He has been a successful entrepreneur himself and lit the path to most of the ideology that I could make anything happen as long as I put my mind to it. A saying that sticks with me the most is, “slow down to speed up”. Referencing to take your time to avoid causing errors or mistakes that will delay your process. Slowing down, being intentional and analyzing all the details can get you further.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The pandemic and the wave shock that followed, had me debating business in general. It is so hard to be a self-employed person in the grand scheme of things already and then when the government shuts us down, deeming our business non-essential, we are suddenly without any income. I was a single homeowner at the time and completely losing my income, was devastating. The pandemic shifted how people spent their money since they were also worried about not having income. Wedding needs were completely different, requiring less of a desire for a higher end educated photographer and more on just whomever could show up to capture it in some capacity. The wake of the pandemic still impacts my business to this day, amongst the debt that was required to survive through it, how people see spending their funds on art and the curiosity of working for a corporation for job security.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
100%. I believe in authenticity and attracting like souls!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I’d hope that people who remember me as someone who is kind, generous and caring. I hope they’d remember that I poured all kinds of love into them and that I truly want the best for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cassidymr.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/@cassidy_mr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassidy-mister-2ab7b378
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/cassidymrphotography
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@cassidy_mr
Image Credits
Cassidy MR. Photography
