We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sequoia Merriweather a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sequoia , 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?
I get my resilience from the strong women who raised and shaped me—my mother and my aunie Shelia. Watching them handle life’s challenges with faith, strength, and determination taught me how to trust God in everything and to know that I can get through all life’s trials. Their example showed me that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about pushing forward no matter what life throws at you. So even with battling Bell’s Palsy, I struggled with seeing my own imperfections. I have to remind myself very often that I am beautiful, strong and resilient. I may not be perfect to other people standards, but who’s to say those standards are perfect. My life has been filled with trials, but my resilience helped me to get to this point in my life because I choose to never give up or in no matter the circumstance.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share a little about what I do! I’m the proud owner of Picture Me Perfect Photobooths, and I also work as a professional event photographer. At the heart of what I do is a deep passion for capturing moments—those real, joy-filled, spontaneous slices of life that happen when people are simply having a good time. There’s something incredibly special about photographing people during events; it’s when they’re at their happiest, laughing, celebrating, and fully living in the moment. That’s when I get to capture what I like to call “perfect pictures”—not necessarily perfect in pose or setting, but perfect in emotion, energy, and authenticity.
Picture Me Perfect Photobooths offers a wide range of services to bring fun, creativity, and lasting memories to any occasion. We provide digital and print photobooths, 360 photobooths, event photography, outdoor photography, jumbo game rentals, movie night setups, personalized backdrops, custom-wrapped treats, balloon artistry, and custom t-shirts. We’re also thrilled to announce that we’ll soon be launching bartending services to bring an even more complete event experience to our clients.
What truly sets us apart from other photobooth companies is the level of personalization and energy we bring to every event. We don’t just set up a camera and props—we create an interactive, immersive, and visually stunning experience. Whether it’s a kid’s birthday party, a corporate function, a wedding, or a community gathering, we tailor everything to fit the theme and the vibe. Our clients know us for going the extra mile, making sure every detail is right, every smile is captured, and every guest walks away with a memory they can hold onto—literally and emotionally.
At the end of the day, it’s all about the people. I love being part of moments that matter—those split seconds of happiness, excitement, and sometimes beautiful imperfection—and giving people something they can look back on for years to come.
If you’re planning an event and looking for a team that’s passionate, creative, and committed to making your celebration truly memorable, Picture Me Perfect Photobooths would be honored to be a part of it.
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 on my journey as a Bell’s Palsy survivor, the owner of Picture Me Perfect Photobooths and a professional event photographer, the three qualities that stand out most are resilience, dedication, and confidence.
Resilience has been essential—especially during times when healing did not seem to be in the near future also while other things didn’t go as planned. Like, how can I love capturing people but couldn’t stand for others to capture me. At the beginning it was a test. A hard test. From technical challenges at events to navigating business slowdowns and stressing over life and the loss of my Aunie caused me to have BP flare-ups. But I was able to bounce back, adapt, and keep going which has helped me grow both personally and professionally and also heal because I truly enjoy what I do.
Dedication is the engine behind everything I do. Building a brand takes time, consistency, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people don’t always see. Whether it’s preparing for an event, learning new skills, or improving my services, I’ve stayed committed to showing up and giving my best.
Confidence has allowed me to step into rooms, network, promote my brand, and take on opportunities that once felt out of reach. It’s what helps me own my battle with BP while also continuously perfecting my craft, trust my vision, and continue evolving as a creative, entrepreneur, woman, mother and wife.
My advice to anyone starting out is to understand that these three qualities—resilience, dedication, and confidence—aren’t things you’re either born with or not. They’re like muscles that grow the more you use them. You must stay focus and true to YOU!
To build resilience, you have to be okay with failure and life’s trials. Don’t fear mistakes—expect them, learn from them, and let them shape you. Create plans and try to anticipate the unseen. Every obstacle is just another chance to prove to yourself that you can keep going. Also remember, that if it comes too easy, it may not be worth having and more than likely many people is already doing it. So, take on the challenge and know that you can overcome anything. Just be patient with yourself during the process.
Dedication grows through discipline and purpose. Stay connected to your “why.” There will be long nights and quiet seasons, but if you remain committed to your goals and consistent in your effort, the results will come. Even small progress adds up over time. When take 2 steps forward, there will be times that you will take 3 steps backwards. This does not mean to give up. It means to push harder because this is testing your resilience. So, are you going to fight back or give up? Also choose to fight back, because your building muscle memory with every swing.
And for confidence, start by showing up—even when you’re nervous or anxious. Take pride in your abilities and your work. Allow yourself to grow through difficult situations. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself. Because if you don’t, who else will? Confidence doesn’t mean you are perfect; it just means you believe in yourself enough to keep learning and trying.
No matter where you are in your journey, remember—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about keeping the faith, being real, showing up for yourself and loving what you do, and that’s what will carry you the furthest.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve been facing is battling Bell’s Palsy and the effects of facial paralysis, which I’ve been living with for several years now. It’s not just a physical challenge—it’s an emotional and mental one too. As someone who works in a very visual industry and is often behind (and occasionally in front of) the camera, learning to navigate this journey while maintaining my self-confidence has been incredibly personal and deeply humbling.
At the same time, I’m also a mother raising young girls, and it’s incredibly important to me that I lead by example. I want them to know that beauty, strength, and worth are not defined by appearance. I teach them to love themselves fully—even the parts they may see as flaws—because our value comes from who we are, not just what we look like.
To overcome and manage this challenge, I’ve created intentional practices to protect and rebuild my confidence. Taking my own pictures has been a form of therapy—it allows me to see myself through the same loving, joyful lens I offer to my clients. I also dedicate time every week to self-care, whether it’s a quiet moment of rest or doing something that makes me feel beautiful and grounded. I regularly write affirmations, and I lean heavily on my faith—prayer and reading scripture help me stay rooted, hopeful, and reminded of my purpose.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me so much about grace, resilience, and the power of inner strength. I’ve learned that healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—isn’t always linear, but it is always possible when you commit to showing up for yourself every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.picturemeperfectphotobooths.net
- Instagram: picturemeperfectphotobooths
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PictureMePerfectPhotobooths
Image Credits
Credit: Myself
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