Meet Erin Gunther

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin Gunther. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin below.

Erin, 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?

My resilience comes from a lifetime of learning how to pivot, persevere, and stay true to myself—even when it’s hard. I played professional soccer in Sweden for eight years, and living overseas opened my eyes to different cultures and parts of myself I hadn’t fully explored. During that time, I entered into a relationship with a woman, which caused friction with my family. Their lack of acceptance was painful, and it added a whole other layer of emotional resilience
I had to build—staying grounded in who I am while still trying to navigate my life and career.

At the end of one season, I returned to Sweden expecting to begin another, but just three days after landing, I was informed that the club was dissolving the women’s team and putting all the funding back into the men’s side. I had already been considering retirement, but this made the decision a little bit clearer and more forced. I posted about it on social media, sharing my frustration with the gender inequality in sports. Soon after, a team in Denmark offered me a short-term contract. I agreed, but two hours after signing, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shutting everything down.

At that point, I decided to accept an offer from a former coach to attend graduate school at LSU and help with the women’s soccer team. My role would be graduate assistant coach, as well as help run the social media and marketing. While I was finishing the contract that I had signed for the team in Denmark, I spent my free time teaching myself video through youtube and various mentors that I reached out to. I had already been doing photography on the side as a creative outlet, but videography was new—and I loved it. Juggling grad school, coaching, and learning video during my time at LSU was intense but energizing.

Nearing graduation my longterm relationship ended and I was stuck spiraling again trying to figure out what was next. I began applying to video roles, but with my playing background, I kept getting pulled back into coaching. I was hesitant because I was unsure if coaching was my true passion but it was interesting because at this time, I had never felt more supported from my family. Which left me questioning, am I living my dreams or am I living theirs because they have finally accepted me now that my relationship had ended?

I gave it three years at the coaching at the collegiate level, but the environments were toxic and left me feeling drained. Eventually, I made the hard decision to step away from soccer completely after 28 years. As a kid, playing professional sports was all I could think about. And now to step away from it all, was probably one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make, but so far the best.

Within five months, I landed a job at Zeal Optics in Boulder, Colorado as their video producer which is where I am currently employed. Now I get to spend my days creating, telling stories, and being outside—something I deeply value. I definitely don’t have everything figured out, but I know I’m finally moving in the right direction. That clarity and resilience didn’t come easy, but every part of the journey built the foundation for where I am today.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a part-time video producer at Zeal Optics in Boulder, Colorado, and I also run my own photography and filmmaking brand on the side. My work is centered around capturing real, raw, and intentional stories—whether it’s through brand content, outdoor adventure films, or wedding films. I’m especially drawn to projects that feel human and honest.

What I find most exciting is how visual storytelling can connect people. Whether it’s through the energy of a short brand film, the intimacy of a wedding, or the adrenaline of an outdoor shoot—I love helping people feel something through the lens. I also love the never-ending learning that comes with video. There’s always a new technique, a better way to tell a story, or a new piece of gear to master. That constant evolution keeps me inspired and curious.

I also just really love the freedom and creativity that come with this work. Every shoot is different. Some days I’m out on a mountaintop at sunrise, and other days I’m editing a film that gives me chills every time I rewatch it. That balance of being in the field and in the edit bay keeps me inspired.

Right now, I’m working on producing my first short film, which has been both a creative challenge and a really fulfilling experience. It’s pushed me to think more deeply about narrative and intention—and it’s been a great reminder of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

As for what’s new—I’m continuing to grow my personal brand, Gunther Photo and Film, with a focus on outdoor adventures, storytelling and lifestyle branding work. My goal is to keep creating space for people to feel seen and celebrated through film and photo—and to work with folks who want something a little less posed and a little more real.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Adaptability – I’ve had to reinvent myself more than once—professionally and personally. From my pro soccer career ending abruptly, to moving back to the U.S. after nearly a decade overseas, to figuring out who I was outside of the sport and even navigating my identity and relationships—there’s been a lot of change. But being able to pivot and keep moving forward has been huge. My advice is to trust that you can handle change, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. The detours often lead to your most meaningful chapters.

Self-Taught Curiosity – I didn’t go to film school. I taught myself video while juggling grad school and coaching, just because I was curious and excited about it. That self-starting mindset gave me a foundation I’ve built everything else on. If you’re just starting out, dive in. Watch tutorials, reverse-engineer the work that inspires you, and don’t be afraid to learn by doing—imperfectly.

Knowing When to Walk Away – Leaving coaching—and soccer entirely—was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But it was also one of the most freeing. Sometimes we cling to things because they’ve been part of our identity for so long, even when they’re no longer good for us. Walking away gave me space to figure out who I was outside of that world. If something is no longer aligning with your growth or joy, it’s okay to let it go. You’re allowed to outgrow people, places, and even passions.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is learning to practice self-love more consistently. It’s something I’ve always struggled with—especially after years of pushing myself so hard in soccer and then transitioning into a new career. I think I spent a lot of time placing my worth in external things—performance, success, how others saw me—but I’m learning that true fulfillment comes from within.

To address this, I’ve been focusing on taking time for myself—whether it’s through quiet reflection, setting better boundaries, or just letting myself rest without guilt. It’s a work in progress, but I’m intentionally giving myself space to celebrate small wins and be kinder to myself when I fall short. I’m also working on letting go of the perfectionism that I carried for so long, and embracing that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right now.

There are still moments when I’m scared—especially as I continue to build my career in film and video. I question if I made the right decision to walk away from soccer, and there are days where I feel uncertain about the future. But I remind myself that growth comes with discomfort and fear. The key is to trust in the process, keep showing up, and know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out.

Self-love is such a vital part of resilience. It allows you to show up more fully for the people and work you care about—and most importantly, for yourself. So, I’m leaning into it, taking it day by day, and being more patient with the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://guntherphoto.com/
• Instagram: guntherphotoandfilm