Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carly Lederman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carly , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience often finds its roots in the countless life experiences that shape us, from the challenges and values instilled in our upbringing to the love and responsibility we hold for those we care about. It grows through life’s trials, big and small, teaching us strength with each step forward. My resilience is rooted in my upbringing, shaped by the journey of motherhood, by both failure and success. I draw strength from life’s challenges, from lessons learned through heartache and love, from my friends and family. It’s the desire to build a better life for them and to keep growing myself and my business
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am in love with photography. I am truly passionate about my work, cherishing the art of creating memories for families and weaving nostalgia into each frame. I often have this quiet analogy in mind: my camera lens is like a portal through time, reaching forward to a future where your great-grandchildren sit, flipping through digital albums. I imagine my work preserved there, bringing joy to generations yet to come. I love storytelling with my photography, telling a story about someone’s entire life in an hour, to the smallest moment such as children pine cone collecting and bringing them to mom. It’s the small things. I love capturing tiny details as well, small details in the session that hold large meaning.
Photography became my calling through a long-held dream of capturing family portraits with my own children—images that feel as if they belong in a magazine, capturing the pure, candid emotion of the moment. That vision inspired me to start my photography business. My journey began years ago, experimenting with my dad’s old DSLR camera in high school, playing with light, poses, and discovering the beauty of expression. Art has always been a part of me, from drawing to music—anything that adds color to life. Photography allows me to blend art with reality, capturing the essence of a moment in a way that endures. In every image, I find comfort in knowing that our shared moments can last, even when we are no longer here.”
I am currently on my journey in schooling for nursing as an end career, so while my business has never slowed down, it has become more part-time as I try to juggle life with three kids, school, a dog, sports, and volunteer work. In my business, I offer small, intimate elopements, small weddings, branding sessions, boudoir photography, family lifestyle sessions, in-home newborn sessions, birth photography, Fresh 48 sessions (after birth), engagement sessions, surprise proposals, pet photography, holiday mini sessions, and couples sessions—you name it! As a mom of three, there is no challenge too big, and no child too quick!
Something that I offer in my business that is near and dear to my heart is free end-of-life sessions, whether for a loved one or a pet. I never charge for this service, as it is a small way I can give back to my community. I have been featured by the Tilly Project in the past, and it is an honor to be chosen to capture those special last moments for families who are grieving.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First, resilience is crucial in photography, especially when starting out. There’s a lot to learn, and failure is part of the process. However, it’s essential to keep pushing forward and improving. Along the way, you may be surprised by the beautiful connections you make and the artistic eye you develop.
Second, I have gained valuable insights into the business side of photography. Prior to the last few years, my understanding of business was limited. Now, I’ve learned about marketing, networking, and even the legal aspects of running a business.
Lastly, owning a business has instilled in me a strong sense of determination. It requires discipline and a genuine passion for what you do.
My most profound piece of advice for anyone embarking on this journey is to acquire a camera and begin capturing what resonates deeply with you—be it your loved ones or the world around you. Embrace the practice with relentless passion. Focus on the emotions and the fleeting moments that unfold before you, rather than becoming overly concerned with the technicalities of your photographs.
When I first started, I found myself preoccupied with the allure of expensive equipment and the pursuit of technical perfection. Yet, I soon discovered that what truly resonates with people is the ability to connect with them authentically and to engage with their families or the subjects you are photographing, to capture their emotion. Photography is an art form, and its most compelling expressions emerge when your heart is truly invested in the process.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Always, I love my fellow photographers, videographers, vendors and creatives. I’ve met so many amazing people in this business and I am always up to collab with some more!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
First picture of Carly lederman by Missy Cain with Darling Diane Photography
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