We recently had the chance to connect with Angie Gadson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Honestly, one recent moment that made me really proud was hitting 10,000 followers on TikTok last week. It might sound like a small milestone to some, but it meant a lot to me because social media has become such a big part of how I connect with people. Over time, I’ve used it not just to share my work, but to build genuine community and show what it’s really like behind the lens. Hitting that number felt like a reflection of all the conversations, the trust, and the people who’ve found me through my videos—and it’s led to so many amazing bookings and opportunities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Angie, a wedding photographer based in Cleveland, Ohio. My brand is all about creating a welcoming space where every single person feels comfortable in front of my lens—no matter how they look, who they are, or where society has placed them.
At the heart of my work is storytelling. I love capturing emotions and being the vessel for how these moments are documented—knowing that what I’m creating will live on for generations is incredibly moving. What sets me apart is my ability to let people truly show up as themselves. I’m not chasing trends or recreating what’s popular—I’m focused on telling your story in a way that feels honest and true to you. That starts with getting to know you and your partner beyond the surface, so the photos reflect who you really are together.
Right now, I’m growing my TikTok community, where I share wedding photography tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and creative storytelling. It’s been such a fun and inspiring way to connect with couples and help them feel more confident and seen throughout their wedding journey.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was someone who cared way too much about the opinions of others. I was afraid to use my voice when it mattered, and I often looked for validation outside of myself. I thought I needed the world to tell me who I was—but over time, I learned that my voice, my perspective, and my purpose were already there. I just had to trust them.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be, “girl, you won’t believe this!” That little girl would be so shocked to see the risks we’ve taken, the boundaries we’ve set, and the relationships we’ve built. She’d be proud of how we learned to say “no,” to trust ourselves, and of all the art we’ve created along the way.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the wedding industry tells itself is that everything has to be big, bold, and expensive to be meaningful. There’s this pressure for weddings to look a certain way—to be picture-perfect, “Instagram-worthy,” and shared with the world. But in reality, a beautiful wedding has nothing to do with how much it costs or how many people are there. It’s about creating a day that feels like you. The most memorable weddings I’ve photographed weren’t about the budget or the trends—they were about genuine emotion, connection, and joy.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want to be remembered for my kindness and how I made people feel. More than anything, I hope the photos I’ve taken continue to be shared long after I’m gone. I love the idea of someone’s great-great-great-grandchildren looking at a photo I took on their wedding day—probably laughing about how “old” it looks, the same way we do with pictures from the ‘70s or ‘80s—but still feeling the love and connection in it. That’s what I want my work to do: outlive trends and remind people that emotion never goes out of style.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angiereneephoto.com
- Instagram: @angiereneephoto_
- Other: TikTok: @angiereneephoto
