Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Newton.
Hi Casey, 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 have always been drawn to cameras. Looking back at it now, I loved documenting people and moments that felt raw and real at such a young age. What started as a love for “taking photos” slowly grew into something so much bigger than myself. I learned that I loved serving people during some of the most important seasons of their lives. Over that time, passion turned into Casey Jaye Photography, LLC, where I photograph weddings, portraits, families, seniors, and more!
My journey to where I am today has definitely not been one of those straight-line, perfectly polished stories. It has been a mix of learning as I go, growing with experience, figuring out all the legal business side, and discovering more about myself. I graduated from Webster University in St. Louis in 2015 with a degree in Video Production and Photography, and I needed to learn how I could apply my schooling and knowledge to the “real world”. I made friends with other photographers in the STL area, was a second photographer for tons of weddings, and was exploring how I wanted people to feel while they were in front of my camera. I love capturing that pure joy, and the first step to capturing that joy is to have your clients trust you. I do that by becoming their best friend / 3rd Wheel.
For ten years, I worked hard at building my business, all while working full-time at a company, building a family, and getting some sleep on the side. Where I am today came from a lot of long nights, hard lessons, sacrifices, and a deep love for what I do. I am still growing, still learning, and still pour every bit of myself into creating something meaningful for the people who trust me with their memories, and that is something I never take lightly. I am proud to say that in May 2025, I was finally able to take the leap into doing what I love and helping those pass down their legacies full-time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road to get where I am today. Honestly, I do not think most business journeys are. There have been a lot of behind-the-scenes challenges that people do not always see. Building a business takes a lot more than loving what you do. It takes time and a whole lot of figuring it out as I go.
One of the biggest struggles that I have had has been learning how to balance the passion behind the work that I create and actually run a business. People often see the final photos, but they do not always see the hours of editing, client communication, planning, marketing, website design, Google listings, and all the other behind-the-scenes work that it takes to keep everything moving.
Another big part of the journey has been learning how to do everything the right way and legally as a business owner. There is so much more to this industry than just taking pretty photos, and I have worked hard to understand the business side of it all so I can serve my clients well and build something solid.
As I have learned, I have also become passionate about sharing that knowledge with others. I think there is a lot of value in being honest about what goes into running a real business, and I hope that by sharing what I have learned, I can help educate others and encourage people in this industry to take their work seriously, too.
On top of that, balancing business and personal life can be hard. There is a lot that comes with trying to show up well for your clients while also showing up for your family and yourself. It has taken a lot of growth, patience, and grace with myself along the way. However, even after going through the roughest patches, I always come out stronger on the other side.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a wedding and portrait photographer, specializing in creating images that feel genuine, timeless, and true to who they are. I photograph weddings, couples, portraits, families, and seniors, but weddings have such a huge piece of my heart. There is just something so special about getting to document one of the biggest days in someone’s life while also helping everything feel a little less chaotic and a lot more manageable. It is also. wonderful to see all my wedding couples go through each season of their life as their families grow.
I think I am most known for the experience I create, and not just the photos themselves. Of course, I want my work to be perfect, but I want my client’s needs to be met 100% of the time. I want them to feel comfortable, taken care of, and make them live in the moment. Especially on wedding days, I am not showing up with a camera and praying everything works out for the best. I am helping guide, fluff the dress, calm nerves, keep things moving, and capture all the in-between moments that most people do not realize are happening.
The experience is what I am most proud of, too. I am not lying when I tell you I cry at some point at every single wedding I photograph. You will also find me on the dance floor, dancing with your friends and capturing their joy. That connection never leaves my heart and soul once a wedding day is done.
I think what sets me apart is that I care deeply about both the art and the people who are in front of my camera. Obviously, I want my clients to love their photos, but I also want them to feel seen and supported through the entire process. I bring a real, organized, detail-focused approach that helps things feel easy even when the day is moving fast. I know when to step in and guide, and I know when to let a moment happen naturally. I also care a lot about doing business the right way, continuing to learn, and sharing knowledge where I can, because I think there is so much value in building something with both passion and integrity.
At the end of the day, I want people to walk away with more than just beautiful photos. I want them to walk away with a beautiful friendship, images that actually feel like them, and an experience they can look back on and feel good about from start to finish.
How do you think about luck?
I think luck can open a door for more opportunities, but it is what you do after that that really matters. I think a lot of what looks like “luck” from the outside is actually just a lot of hard work.
Pricing:
- Wedding Investments Start at $2,800
- Custom Wedding Investment is offered to every couple, because every wedding is different
- Portraits (families, seniors, etc) start at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://caseyjayephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseyjayephoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseyjayephoto
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@caseyjayephoto
