Meet Stephanie Parsley | Wedding, Portrait, Fashion, & Boudoir Photographer

Photo by Joshua Hawkins

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

Hi Stephanie, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I think the biggest thing about my industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is how much time goes into what photographers do and how much experience is truly needed to be good at this art form! I am working from the moment I wake up until very late at night whether that be editing, networking, social events to meet people and connect, zoom meetings, photo shoots, traveling for work or weddings, etc. I think when I pick up my phone it’s 20% social and 80% work every single time!

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 wedding, editorial, and portrait photographer and I have been pursuing this passion full-time for the past 12 years. I think I am known most for my vibrant, warm tones in my editing style and also the types of photo shoots I do such as my boudoir, wedding, and fashion work. Over the past year I have been super proud of my Parsley Preset photo editing tool launch and lately I’ve been super proud and honored to be picking up work with Playboy and seeing this goal and dream of mine come to fruition.

When it comes to how I got here, I would say it’s been a semi-smooth road! I did everything slowly and at my own pace and let the universe guide and decide for me if photography is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. Aside from the stress of having to decide to quit college to pursue photography full-time and having to figure out how to pay for better cameras, I definitely had my fair share of bullies and drama growing into this field, but those are all things I look at as part of the process and now appreciate.

I think what I want people to know the most about my brand and story is that I am completely self-taught, I don’t come from money, and I work really hard every single day at this.

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.
I’m still fairly new to Denver being here only about a year and a half now, but if I had a week to show someone around here I would start on Sunday night at the Yacht Club for some fun live music, then on Monday night take them to Jazz night at Meadowlark, then after hitting up some beautiful parks and dispensaries all week we’d definitely check out a nice dinner at El Five or Uchi, maybe a show at Cervantes or Red Rocks, and also a fun atmosphere like Honey Elixir for drinks.. There’s so much to do here it’s insane but I definitely flock to where the live music and good energy is.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad for buying me that first $200 camera in Walmart because without that I wouldn’t have realized how much I loved photography until way later and my story would be totally different than it is today.

My friends for believing in me and letting me photograph them when I needed or wanted practice.

And for my clients for always hiring me. Whether that be for the important milestones in their lives or just because.

Personally, I recognize that it takes a lot to muster up the energy to 1) hire a photographer for something and 2) trust someone in general with important moments especially when being in front of a camera can be so vulnerable. So, I really mean this when I say this, but thank you to every single person for trusting me to document moments and photograph you.

Website: www.stephanieparsley.com

Instagram: stephanieparsley

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