Meet Cassie Urban | Elopement Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Urban and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Success looks different for everyone, and it’s taken me quite a bit to realize that! For Cassie Urban Photo, I mainly attribute my success to putting in the work to build relationships with my clients. In order for me to have a successful business, I need to have genuine connections with the people I’m taking photos of. To do this, I initially send a questionnaire to learn about the couple–how they met, how the proposal went, what they love about each other, etc.

Most of my elopement packages include a complimentary engagement session, so if a couple books an elopement with me, we’ll be able to meet in person and build our relationship through that. My style of photography has a fine art and luxurious aesthetic to it, but I will always make sure my couples feel comfortable while taking photos. We’ll chat as we’re walking to the location, we’ll dance, we’ll tell funny jokes to get the giggles out… all of that contributes to the beautiful-ness of my photos and the relationships with my clients.

Building those trusting relationships has allowed me to gain not just clients, but clients who turn into friends… which for me is a true success story in my book!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There are tons of editing styles, but with me, I shoot true to color. I’ve invested in different kinds of education courses to help me master my in-camera settings, so that it gives me true to life colored images. I want my photos to be timeless for years to come. Trends come and go, but with my images, they stay classic forever. My posing is another element that sets me apart from others. Candid photos are some of my favorites, but the gentle, soft poses I have my couples do is what gives them a luxurious type of photo.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in just a couple months. I started my wedding photography business less than a year ago, and I’ve shot countless weddings and engagements–gaining trust of many clients and even their families. Just this year, I’ve booked over 7 elopements! I still work a 9-5 corporate job in social media, so my marketing skills have been helping tremendously–especially on TikTok and Instagram. It definitely hasn’t been easy, and I’m still growing and learning. Running a business takes tons of time, effort and care. I invest a good chunk of my time making this business flourish and it definitely feels like it’s paying off!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado has something for everyone! I’m located in Golden, so I’ll share some of my favorite spots in and around the area.

For food, Avanti is a favorite of mine. It’s a pretty cool food hall filled with SO many different types of food–asian, italian, BBQ and so much more.

Breweries are pretty big over here, and one I personally love is New Terrain! It’s located right by the mountains, so day or night you’ll be able to get some pretty sweet views while sipping on the BEST (and affordable) beer.

As for things to do, if you’re into hiking, check out Mount Galbraith! It’s a long hike that’s pretty moderate in terms of a skillset. There’s a few parts that will get your heart pumping, but nothing too crazy. If you’re not a hiker, I recommend taking a trip to the Highlands and walking around! There’s a HUGE R.E.I store that’s pretty famous, along with some awesome food spots (Babe’s Tea Room has a really cute atmosphere for lunch!). And these are perfect for literally any season (no, really!).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are tons of family members and friends who have given me support and guidance throughout this journey as a photographer, but the one person who has never doubted me and my ability to succeed is my partner, Stephen. He’s been there for me since day one rooting for me and celebrating my success every single day. My parents and my friends have also been a wonderful support system for me–always making sure I’m growing and learning throughout the journey.

As for wedding industry shoutouts, Renee Lemaire has been an incredible source of inspiration. I booked a coaching session with her–as she’s a wedding photographer I truly look up to. Her advice and tips were truly invaluable. Things she mentored me on were things I could have never found by searching on the internet. Her experience and professionalism was just wonderful and I definitely attribute a share of my education to her.

Website: www.cassieurbanphoto.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassieurbanphoto

Other: www.tiktok.com/@cassieurbanphoto

Image Credits
Photos by Cassie Urban Photo