Meet Abby Shepard | Wedding and Elopement Photographer

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

Hi Abby, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I took a pretty big risk in my business and my personal life recently. I quit my full-time job, went full-time in my photography business, moved across the country from Delaware to Colorado, and moved in with my (now former) partner. There were multiple reasons for me to move in general, but I moved specifically to Colorado to be with him. He broke up with me less than 6 months after I moved.

There were a lot of risks when I moved-

that my business wouldn’t do as well in a new state, that I wouldn’t make enough to financially support myself, that I wouldn’t like living in Colorado, and of course the risk that the relationship wouldn’t work out.

And it didn’t.

I’m a few months out from the breakup now, and it has changed the way I think about risk. I’m happy and proud to report that even though the relationship didn’t work out, my business is thriving, I am making enough to support myself, and I’m really enjoying living in Colorado.

I think risks are good to some extent. I think it’s important to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone, both of which inherently come with risks. For me, I know now that when I am faced with a decision or opportunity that comes with potential risk, I need to have a plan for myself if that risk doesn’t turn out the way I want it to. Change is inevitable and can lead to tremendous growth both personally and professionally. Change often comes with risk. So I think it’s important to hope for the best, but also have a plan for the worst.

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.
I’m a photographer with two different focus areas.

First, I’m a traveling wedding and elopement photographer who specializes in outdoor weddings and elopements. I capture real moments with bright, bold, natural images. My goal is to make my clients’ wedding day the best it can be and ensure that they have a meaningful, memorable, and fun wedding day that is the start of a lifelong adventure. I’d say I’m known for capturing really natural images that showcase genuine emotion. A lot of my clients tell me they have never had professional photos done before and that they can be a little awkward, but they love how the people in my photos look so happy and they want that too.

Aside from weddings, I’m also an outdoor lifestyle, adventure, and landscape photographer. This usually means that I’m taking photos of people doing things outdoors, like hiking, camping, running, kayaking, etc. I’ve worked with clients including The North Face, AllTrails, Kent County Tourism, Dakine, and more. I also do a ton of landscape photography, and I sell my photos through a print shop and offer commercial licenses.

Right now, I’m most proud of the fact that I successfully moved my business to a new location. I’ve loved shooting in Colorado so far, and I’ve shot more this year than I have any year prior. I’m so thankful.

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.
Here’s what I recommend in the Boulder area!

Day 1: Spend the day in Boulder. Start with brunch at the Dushanbe Tea House. Then wander the shops on Pearl Street. Take a hike at Chautauqua Park and watch sunset at Lost Gulch Overlook. Get ice cream at Sweet Cow and dinner at Il Pastaio.

Day 2: Do a longer hike in Boulder. I’d recommend Walker Ranch.

Day 3: Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. I’d recommend the hike to Emerald Lake.

Day 4: Spend a day in Denver. Visit the Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, or Meow Wolf

Day 5: Drive to Brainard Lake Recreation Area for more hiking! See Brainard Lake and hike to Lake Isabelle.

Day 6: Take a day trip to Colorado Springs and see Garden of the Gods

Day 7: Spend the last day of the trip relaxing in Boulder. Go for a bike ride or relax in Chautauqua Park

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?
Mushroom Maiden Pottery, for being my first real friend in Colorado and being there when I really needed one.

Website: https://abbyshepardphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abby.shepard.photography/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbyShepardPhoto/