Meet Gretchen Troop | Photographer

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

Hi Gretchen, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
As I’ve grown in my career as a photographer, people sometimes ask if I will ever walk away from it. The answer is no because I still truly love it. Every time I am running around Rocky Mountain National Park with two people in love, every concert I photograph and every moment I solidify with my camera has real meaning for the people in those photos. I have seen couples I photographed at their wild wedding in 2018 now chasing their second child around, and I think about how those kids will someday flip through their parent’s wedding album after they are gone. That is why I keep going. This work lasts and it matters.

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.
Art has always been my life path. For years that path was music. I poured everything into singing, but the music industry became so difficult that it was no longer sustainable. That was a turning point for me. I went back to my original love of photography and found myself completely at home behind the camera.

Photography allows me to connect with people in an honest way. I love working with couples in incredible landscapes, telling their stories through images that last far beyond the day. My greatest pride is seeing those images come to life in the years that follow, with wedding photos turning into family heirlooms that will be passed down to future generations.

It has not been easy to get to where I am today. Wedding photography has a low barrier to entry, and trying to educate couples as to why we charge as much as we do, has been a challenge. What sets me apart is experience, professionalism and preparation. I shoot full-time, have backup systems for everything, carry extra cameras, batteries and gear, and have insurance in place so I can deliver no matter what happens. These are things you only learn through years of doing the work.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that this is not a job about price, it is about trust. My brand is built on trust, on creating something lasting, dependable and deeply meaningful for every client I work with, and of course ALWAYS having fun!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would go on a kayaking trip somewhere in the mountains. My husband and I have multiple inflatable kayaks and friends & family visit us for multi-day trips.
Once back in town one of my favorite restaurants currently is in Lyons, Marigold. I love the relaxed feel with elevated food that it offers.
If it’s the summer we’d have to go down to the Pearl Street Mall on a Wednesday night to check out “Bands on the Bricks”. This is worth it for the people watching alone.

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?
I love all of my clients, but because weddings and engagements are (mostly) a one time deal I want to shout out to the clients that hire me regularly and keep trusting me to get their photos.
YWCA of Boulder, a great group aligned with my views on equality, that I am proud to photograph events for.
Luxe Llama Productions, this group run by Emily Saunar is a music promotion business. I photograph their primary band, “Yacthy Got Back” regularly.

Website: https://boulderweddingphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtroopphoto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchentroop/

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=fiE1ebbc1TYOHwwKMpK3ag

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gthroop