Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Rives.
Hi Stacy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My Story – A Journey Through the Lens
In 1999, I took all of the money I received from my high school graduation and bought my very first film camera. That fall, I photographed my first wedding…talk about scared! I was 18 years old and earned $400. At the same time, I had just built my first home and set up my very first studio in the basement. During the day, I worked full-time as a receptionist. At night and any spare moment I could find, I poured my heart into photography. I captured babies, families, weddings, and high school seniors. I photographed everything I could, always striving to improve my craft and chase my passion.
I began in the film era, learning through true trial and error. There wasn’t much online information available, just late night hours of reading books and learning from each and every shoot. When the world shifted to digital, I had to adapt. I taught myself how to hand-edit every single photo, one by one. It was time consuming, but it was also deeply rewarding.
My photography business really began to take off around 2002. But a few years later, life threw me a new challenge, I became a single mom to three young children. Running a small business while working a full-time job was already hard, but doing all that as a single mom made it even tougher.
Most nights looked the same: working my main job all day, coming home to care for my babies, squeezing in photo sessions on evenings and weekends, and then staying up until 2 a.m. editing photos, all while trying to hold a home together and be the best mother I could. It wasn’t easy, but it was mine. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Then in 2010, I met the love of my life, Jason. We got married in 2012 and blended my family of four into our family of six. My family is everything to me. Beyond photography, I always dreamed of being a mom and I’ve been blessed beyond measure with a family I truly adore.
Jason has been a huge part of my business journey, too. He’s incredibly business-minded and has successfully run several companies. He saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. He believed in my photography, even when I doubted it. He pushed me to attend my first bridal show and insisted I charge what I was worth. I remember being so mad at him! I just didn’t believe anyone would pay that much to have me photograph their wedding.
Boy, was I wrong… and yes, babe you were RIGHT.
That bridal show changed everything. I booked several weddings instantly, and my business became a true success story. I owe so much of that to Jason for believing in me when I couldn’t yet believe in myself.
Looking back, I’m most proud of being self taught in my entire career, growing through the hard times, and being shaped by hard work and never giving up. Every session, every photo was (and still is) a labor of love.
But I’d be lying if I said it’s all been easy. In the Fall, I was hacked. I lost tens of thousands of followers I had built up over many, many years. It was devastating, not just emotionally, but for the marketing side of my small business. So much hard work, gone in an instant…and there was nothing I could do to get it back.
Even after all of that, I’m still thriving. My passion has led me to focus more and more on Senior photography. It’s a space where I feel creatively alive and connected. I’ve also chosen to take a big step back from weddings, so I can reclaim my weekends and spend more time with my family because they are, and always will be, my greatest joy.
And now, a new chapter begins: I’m going to be a Gigi for the first time this December! We are SO excited, and can’t wait to meet our little one. His soon to be mommy is the coolest Chemist and his daddy is in IT. One son of ours is a Project Manger, and another one is just left to serve in the Army. Our youngest daughter is off to college to study Psychology. We couldn’t be more proud of all of them!
First and foremost, thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Every opportunity I’ve ever had has come through His grace, and I am forever grateful.
To my family… thank you for always being there, especially helping with my kids so I could do the work I love.
And to my clients.. you’ve supported me, followed me, and believed in me through every season. I would not be where I am without you.
To everyone who has stood beside me over the past 26 years — thank you.
If you’d like to support me as I rebuild my follwing, I’d be so grateful. You can follow me on:
Facebook: Lasting Impressions by Stacy Rives
Instagram: @LastingImpressionsByStacy
Your support truly means the world as I work to recover what was lost.
XOXO Forever
Stacy
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think what sets me apart is my Unique editing style. I love a picture that has the Wow factor! I have a love, as a Licensed Cosmetologist, for Hair, Fashion, and Makeup. Glamour of any sorts is my ideal day of shooting!
What makes you happy?
My love for Jesus and my Family above all else!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lastingimpressionsbystacy.com
- Instagram: @lastingimpressionsbystacyrives
- Facebook: Lasting Impressions by Stacy Rives
- LinkedIn: Stacy Rives
