Meet Courtney Specht

We recently connected with Courtney Specht and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

When people ask where I get my resilience from, I don’t think of a single defining moment—I think of a lifetime of learning how to keep moving forward, no matter what.

I grew up watching my late mother battle addiction and mental health struggles. That kind of experience shapes you. It teaches you early on that life isn’t always fair, that love is complicated, and that sometimes, the people who are supposed to take care of you are fighting battles you’ll never fully understand. But it also taught me how to be strong when things fall apart. How to keep pushing when you’re tired. How to create something beautiful from the chaos.

I’ve faced my own struggles in relationships, times when I had to rebuild myself from the ground up. I’ve had to learn, the hard way, that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about knowing you can get back up. And sometimes, it’s about choosing to stand back up even when you don’t want to.

That mindset carries over into everything I do—raising an elite athlete, running a business, balancing the demands of photography, writing, and speaking. Raising a motocross racer means watching my child chase a dream that comes with as much risk as reward. It means seeing them take hard hits—physically and mentally—and knowing that my job isn’t to shield them from difficulty but to teach them how to push through it.

And my business? It’s not just a passion. It’s what pushes us forward. It’s what puts food on the table, keeps us moving, and gives me the space to turn all of these experiences—the struggles, the lessons, the triumphs—into something meaningful. Photography, storytelling, speaking—it’s all about connection, about capturing moments of strength and vulnerability, about giving people a way to see themselves in a new light.

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you earn, one hard lesson at a time. And for me, it’s never been an option. It’s been a necessity.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a photographer, writer, and speaker, but at my core, I’m a storyteller. Through my business, Stag & Bird Curated Photo Experiences, I capture moments that are raw, real, and cinematic—whether it’s an unconventional senior portrait, an intimate boudoir session, or the electric energy of a wedding day. My work isn’t just about documenting what’s in front of me; it’s about seeing the interesting, the creative, and the unexpected in every moment.

Photography has always been more than a job for me—it’s a way to connect with people, to give them a space where they feel seen, celebrated, and powerful. I’ve built Stag & Bird Photo with that in mind, carving out a space for clients who don’t fit into the traditional mold, whether that’s seniors who want something outside the typical yearbook portrait or couples who are throwing out the rulebook and making their wedding truly their own.

Beyond photography, I’ve expanded into writing and speaking, using my experiences as a business owner, a parent raising an elite athlete, and someone who has navigated deep personal struggles to help others find their own strength. I’m passionate about sharing the lessons I’ve learned—the wins and the failures—because I know how isolating the journey can be when you feel like you’re the only one struggling.

Right now, I’m focused on growing Stag & Bird Photo, expanding our Curated Elopement Experiences, and continuing to foster a community where creativity and connection come first. I’m also leaning into my voice as a writer and speaker, taking on opportunities that allow me to share stories in new ways.

There’s always something in the works, whether it’s styled shoots, workshops, or projects that push the boundaries of what photography can be. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to create work that resonates, to build a life that is full of purpose and creativity, and to leave people feeling more seen, more confident, and more in love with their own story.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three qualities that have been absolutely essential in my journey: adaptability, deep connection with people, and an unapologetic sense of creativity.

1. Adaptability – The Art of Pivoting
Nothing ever goes exactly to plan. Whether it’s a wedding day timeline unraveling in real time, a business setback that forces you to shift gears, or the unpredictability of raising an elite athlete, success isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about knowing how to pivot. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring the hard times, it’s about being flexible enough to navigate them without losing yourself in the process.

For those just starting out, my advice is simple: get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Try things. Fail. Course-correct. The sooner you accept that there is no perfect path, the sooner you’ll start moving forward.

2. Deep Connection with People – It’s Everything
No matter what industry you’re in, your relationships will define your success. For me, photography isn’t just about taking beautiful images—it’s about making people feel seen. That connection is what turns a good experience into a great one, what turns clients into lifelong supporters. It’s also what’s helped me grow my business through word of mouth, something that’s far more powerful than any marketing strategy.

If you’re just starting out, put in the time to genuinely connect with people. Listen more than you talk. Show up in your community, online and in person. People remember how you make them feel, and that’s something no algorithm or trend can replace.

3. Unapologetic Creativity – Trusting Your Own Eye
When I started out, I thought I had to fit into a mold to be successful. It took me time to realize that the very thing that makes my work different—the bold colors, the cinematic angles, the ability to see the story beyond the subject—is exactly what draws people to me. The best thing I ever did was stop trying to be what I thought people wanted and start leaning hard into what makes my work unique.

For those at the beginning of their journey, my advice is this: don’t chase trends, chase what lights you up. Study the work of people you admire, but don’t copy them. Experiment, push boundaries, and trust your gut. Your voice, your perspective, your way of seeing the world is what will set you apart.

At the end of the day, success isn’t about checking off a list of skills. It’s about building something that feels like you. And that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of trust in the process.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe in doubling down on your strengths while being aware of your weaknesses. Trying to be great at everything spreads you thin, but fully owning what you’re exceptional at is where the magic happens.

Early in my photography career, I thought I had to do it all—weddings, families, corporate headshots, newborns, commercial work. I felt like saying yes to everything would make me a stronger, more well-rounded photographer. But in reality, it just diluted my passion. The work I loved—bold, cinematic, unconventional portraiture—got buried under sessions that didn’t inspire me. I wasn’t serving my clients in the best way because I was stretching myself across too many things instead of refining the areas where I truly shined.

The turning point came when I stopped trying to fit into the mold of what I thought a photographer should be and focused on what I did best. I leaned into my ability to connect with people, to direct and pose in a way that made them feel powerful, and to create images that weren’t just beautiful but had an edge of emotion and drama. That’s when my business really took off.

That said, I don’t ignore my weaknesses. I just don’t let them take center stage. Instead of trying to be an expert at things that drain me, I find ways to work around them. I’m not a numbers person, so I hired an accountant to keep my business on track. I don’t love the logistics of planning styled shoots, so I collaborate with people who do. Rather than forcing myself to get better at everything, I surround myself with people whose strengths complement my own.

If you’re early in your journey, my advice is this: figure out what makes you different, not just what makes you good. What do people rave about when they work with you? What comes naturally to you that others struggle with? Hone in on that, refine it, make it so undeniably you that no one can replicate it. Weaknesses can be outsourced, delegated, or worked around, but your strengths are where your success lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stagandbirdphotography.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/stagandbirdphoto
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/stagandbirdphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stagbirdphoto

Image Credits

all images @stagandbirdphoto – Stag & Bird Curated Photo Experiences