Today we’d like to introduce you to Caley Petty
Hi Caley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and even stayed close to home for college at the University of Memphis. During my senior year, I found myself wanting a new hobby, and I couldn’t shake the idea of learning photography. I mean, who doesn’t want to know how to take a great photo?! When a Black Friday sale at Best Buy dropped, I took it as my sign, grabbed the camera I’d been eyeing, and jumped right in.
Luckily, I had a great friend, Josh Richter, who knew his way around a camera and was fluent in all things settings and editing. He invited me to shoot around town with him and showed me the ropes early on in my journey. After that, life got busy—I put my camera down for a bit to pursue a Master’s in Teaching. But after finishing my degree, I found myself with some extra time and started looking for another hobby (or a part-time gig) to fill it. While teaching 5th grade Reading and Writing, I picked up a side job with a local company that had me taking branding and social media photos. That opportunity reignited my love for photography and really launched my journey into turning it into a business.
At first, I had a firm “No Weddings” policy—because let’s be real, weddings are a huge commitment, and I was still pouring so much of my energy into teaching. But in October 2020, I was asked to second-shoot a wedding, and I figured it was the perfect way to dip my toes in without taking on a full one myself. Spoiler alert: I loved it! The energy, the joy, the love, and even the mild chaos had me hooked instantly. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue, and I took the leap!
A year and a half later, I took my biggest risk yet—I left teaching to go full-time with my photography business. All I wanted was to give people an incredible experience with timeless wedding photos they could cherish forever. Fast forward four years, and I’m still in awe of the growth I’ve experienced as a business owner. I can’t wait to see where this dream takes me next!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As much as I wish the road had been smooth, there were definitely some bumps along the way. I’m the first person in my family to own a business, so I had no idea where to even begin. The behind-the-scenes work that no one sees? Completely overwhelming at first. Which cameras and lenses should I invest in? How do you pay taxes? Do I owe taxes? (Spoiler: Yes.) How should my business be licensed? So. Many. Questions. And honestly, Google often made things more confusing before they ever became clear.
Thankfully, the Memphis photography community welcomed me with open arms. I was so lucky to have incredible friends and fellow photographers who answered my endless questions and shared their wisdom. I will never be able to repay our amazing wedding community for the love and support they gave me when I first stepped onto the scene. (I love you all so dearly)
Then, of course, there were the wedding day learning curves. Being a wedding photographer isn’t just about taking beautiful photos—it’s about managing timelines, making sure the groomsmen actually get dressed on time, reassuring a nervous bride when things don’t go as planned, scouting the perfect locations, and (for the fourth time) reminding the groomsmen to take everything out of their pockets. Early on, I put so much pressure on myself to make sure every wedding day was perfect for my couples. But over time, I realized that weddings are beautifully messy, and perfection isn’t the goal—creating an incredible experience is what truly matters.
Now, I have a mantra that carries me through every wedding day: It will all get done. No matter what happens, everything important will happen. So I encourage my couples to be present, feel all their emotions, cry with their loved ones, and soak in every single moment—because that’s what it’s really all about.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is known for capturing timeless wedding photos that showcase all the sweetest moments of the day—the big, emotional ones, the joyful laughter, and all the little in-between moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. In recent years, I’ve embraced a more luxury style that blends both candid, natural posing with refined editorial portraits. My heart is drawn to both artistic styles, so I’ve found a way to seamlessly incorporate them, guiding couples through poses that feel both effortless and elegant. More than anything, I encourage couples to slow down, connect, and truly take it all in, so they have those raw, emotional moments to relive forever.
I’m also known for providing a very hands-on experience. I know firsthand how stressful wedding planning can be, so I take as much pressure off my couples as possible. From our very first call, I provide a customized timeline, help create family shot lists, and ensure no detail is overlooked. On the wedding day, I work with a highly skilled team so my couples can fully relax, soak in every moment, and trust that everything is being taken care of. The experience I provide is what sets me apart—I pour my heart into every couple, making sure they receive stunning images that they’ll cherish forever.
What I’m most proud of is how hard I’ve worked to build this business from the ground up. It still feels surreal that couples trust me to capture some of the most important moments of their lives. There are so many talented photographers out there, and I never take it lightly when a couple chooses me as the perfect fit. Pushing through obstacles, constantly growing, and staying committed to my craft has been such a rewarding journey. I have to give a huge shoutout to my parents, grandparents, and sister for instilling such a strong work ethic in me—without their influence, I wouldn’t be where I am today in just a few short years.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that nothing is the end of the world. As a business owner, there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect—to handle every situation flawlessly and never make a mistake. But the truth is, growth comes from challenges, and sometimes, the only way to learn is by going through the tough moments.
As someone who takes their job very seriously, giving myself grace when I make mistakes hasn’t always been easy. But I’ve realized that mistakes don’t define you—what does define you is how you respond and grow from them.
I’ll never forget one rainy January wedding where I was sloshing through the wet grass, walking up to the bride, and—without meaning to—my shoes flung muddy water onto her dress. I wanted to disappear. I was so mad at myself for not moving more carefully or approaching the situation differently. But with some quick thinking (and probably a few panicked thoughts), we managed to get everything out of her dress, and the day went on beautifully. More importantly, I learned from it. Now, I approach rainy wedding days with a whole new level of caution!
At the end of the day, mistakes happen. What matters most is taking accountability, asking for forgiveness when needed, and turning every challenge into an opportunity for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caleypettyphotography.com
- Instagram: @caleypettyphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caleypettyphotography/
