Cassie and I first met in February of 2009 for a wedding consultation, at a local Denny’s I must add.  I remember thinking to myself, “she’s beautiful, fun, edgy, smart, and classic all rolled up into one…I HAVE GOT TO BOOK THIS BRIDE!!”  Little did I know, this booking would give me a life-long friend!  A couple of years ago, my husband and I even spent Christmas with Cassie and her family in Italy!  Let me tell you folks, it is still the most incredible experience I’ve ever had!!

Cassie is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met and has always had a natural eye for photography.  In her mind, having a dream to become a professional creative seemed a bit out of reach, but after years continuous encouragement and support from her wonderful husband and family, she finally made that leap!  I can’t express how proud I am of this girl for chasing her dream and I’m so excited to see where this passion will take her!!

About a year ago, when Cassie first launched her Dream Light Photography Facebook site, my heart leaped a bit and I couldn’t stop scrolling through her images!  There is so much life and beauty that she captures, you can’t help but feel the emotion in each photograph!  Watching her grow over the last year has been truly magical and this upcoming photographer should be an inspiration to all of those individuals striving to embrace their dreams!  A busy military wife and mother of three beautiful boys, she has successfully taken her dream to the professional level!

I am beyond ecstatic to have Cassie on the BR Blog as my very FIRST photographer spotlight interview!  You will find her contact information below, I highly recommend that you check out her work!!  Cassie states that the images she has chosen to share for this interview are the most emotional for her, as she feels a strong connection to each of the photographs shown below.

Thank you, Cassie, for taking the time to share your words and talent!!

I’ve always been intrigued and inspired by the natural beauty around me. Getting to take pictures of it was always a favorite thing for me growing up. However, I got my first DSLR a little over 10 years ago and gradually made my way from just a hobbyist to a professional just recently. My only real experience with being photographed was by Ashley, when we hired her on as our wedding photographer! When she did our engagements and kept telling us how amazing we looked in the camera, I just couldn’t believe how much I loved being on both ends of the lens! Having three kids since that has changed my perspective just a little…but 10 minutes in front of her camera and she had me loving it all over again!  I’ve tried to keep that same mindset with my own clients, especially when they indicate to me prior to their session that they are a bit self-conscious. I always want my clients to feel as beautiful as I think they are, and I owe a lot of that to Ashley and how she made me feel when she photographed me!

 

 

Where is home?

My little family and I just recently purchased our very first home here in Saint Mary’s, Georgia, where my husband is stationed on the USS Tennessee (submarine). But anytime anyone ever asks where we are from or where home is we always fall back to North Carolina! It will always be home to us. Even having grown up more than half of my life in Texas, that part of my past stays in the past. I love it, but its just not home to me anymore.

If you could live anywhere on this awesome plant, where would you build your dream home?

In a heartbeat, we’d be back in Europe. Germany, London or Italy no doubt! It broke my heart when we got orders to leave Naples (Italy) and move back to the States. If the Navy ever gave us the option to go back across the pond my hiney would be catching that next flight out whether the bags were packed or not!

What sort of work do you specialize in?

Child and Family photography is where my heart is. But I also enjoy doing fine art type stuff just for personal enjoyment. On occasion, when I’m really proud of something I’ve created I will sell it as an art piece. However, I market myself as a children and family photographer.

How would you describe your style?

I like to think my work has an earthy, even ethereal look to it. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a dark or moody editor, but I don’t think light and airy really describes me either. I’m somewhere stuck in the middle, and I’m happy with that. I love both sides of the spectrum, but I love to edit my work to feel natural, but also captivating. I want to draw you into the piece and make you feel like you are there in the moment as well.

What is your most memorable assignment?

My most memorable assignment has been the very first birth session I got to do. Being in that hospital room during such a private, intimate moment and getting to capture the pure, raw beauty of child birth was such an incredible experience that I will never ever forget. I typically hate working with artificial lighting, but there is just something so awe inspiring about a birth session, that I just can’t pass it up. I live for capturing real, raw moments and it doesn’t get anymore real or raw than childbirth.

Where would your dream destination assignment be?

Gah there are soooo many places I wish I could travel to and just photograph. But hands down I would absolutely LOVE to get to visit and photograph Greenland. How can a girl pass up the Northern Lights? That would be a dream come true for sure!

What is your go-to gear and your favorite lens?

So I shoot with a Nikon D750, and my 50mm (1.8) lens is what is typically on it. However, on occasion I do switch between the 50mm, and my 24-120mm and a wide angle 16-85mm depending on what I’m shooting and why.

Of the ones I own, hands down, my 50mm because of the beautiful depth of field I’m able to capture with it.

What is your favorite camera accessory?

My husband bought me this really sweet camera strap as a gift a few years ago and he had it custom made. Its with my favorite colors (pink and light blue) and it says “Live Your Dream”. That is the same phrase my father in law used to tell him all throughout his life, and then my husband since we met and he learned of my passion for photography always said it to me. Now that my father in law recently passed, having that little piece around my neck every session reminds me of how proud both him and my husband are of me. It’s nice!

 

What has influenced your thinking, photography, and career path the most?

My family. Hands down, my husband and my boys. I never in a million years believed that I would actually be a professional photographer. Having my children made me want to capture as many moments as I possibly could and freeze them. The more I shot, the more in love I fell with it and the harder my husband pushed me to keep pursuing it. Pretty soon he helped me to realize I wanted to help other families capture these same precious, fleeting moments of their own lives. Every single session gets a little piece of my heart as I really relate with these families on a personal level. I want to help them freeze time and give them something tangible to cherish for many many years to come. That concept, that personal desire to freeze time with my own family, is what got me started on really learning my equipment and perfecting my craft in the first place.

What talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could paint! I’ve always tried, and it just doesn’t come naturally to me. I used to watch a dear friend of mine, Jason May, paint for hours on end and it would fascinate me. He is incredible, but it’s definitely not something I’ve got in me!

If you could have lunch with someone famous, who would it be?

Hmmm, my husband will probably laugh at me because he has seen first hand my “star struck” embarrassing reaction to famous people. But purely for purposes of beautiful eye candy during my meal I would love to have lunch with Johnny Depp. I just can’t pass up that opportunity. I may fumble with my words, heck I might not even say a single word….but I sure would enjoy that meal!!!

What is your favorite film of all time?

You know, I almost hate to admit this but I’ve got to say The Notebook. Its soooo cheesy, I know! But I just can’t help myself. If it is on, I HAVE TO WATCH IT! It used to be Grease, but here lately, it just doesn’t have the same appeal to me as it used to.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this little slice of Cassie’s story and don’t forget to check her out!!  You can find her at any of the links below!

Thanks for reading and Happy Monday!

Ashley

 

Cassie Richardson: Dream Light Photography

Website: Dream Light Photography

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