Rising Stars: Meet Cassandra Troyer of Northeast Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Troyer.

Hi Cassandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My love for photography started before I even knew what to call it. My grandmother was always running around with a disposable camera in her hand, documenting everyday life, and as soon as I was old enough she started buying me my own. I still have those photos— and looking back, I think that’s where it all began.

For a long time though, I thought I was going to be a graphic designer. At 16, I took an internship through my church to pursue design and was handed a camera as a part of the education. That was the turning point. What started as volunteering slowly turned into people asking me to photograph their families, maternity sessions, even a local fashion show in Akron. Opportunities kept finding me before I went looking for them, truly.

I went on to earn a bachelor of science in digital media and design, but photography followed me the whole way through. By the time I graduated, I realized that I had built more genuine passion for it than anything else I had studied. I had always wanted a career that gave me not only flexibility and creative freedom but also the ability to travel. Photography was just the thing that checked every box, and I realized that with some hard work, I could make it my career just like any other job.

In February 2024, at 24 years old, I left my barista job and went full time into weddings, couples and all things people in love. It didn’t come without fear, but I haven’t looked back and I wouldn’t change a thing!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle along the way for me so far has been learning to sit with uncertainty. There’s no guaranteed paycheck at the end of the month and no way to know exactly what the next season will bring. It’s a real learning curve. But honestly, it’s also been one of the most faith-building experiences of my life. God brought me here, and I fully trust that He’ll sustain me, whatever that looks like. His way is better than mine!

The other thing I’ve had to work through is trusting myself. Artists tend to be their own harshest critics, and I’m no exception. Fear held me back more times than I’d like to admit, from posting my work, from showing up online, from just being seen. There’s something so vulnerable about putting your art in front of people who only know you through a screen.
But this year, I decided to change that. I’m choosing to show up authentically, for myself and for my business, and I can say that it is truly freeing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer specializing in weddings, couples and all things best friends in love. I specialize in capturing emotional, story-driven images of best friends in love, taking photos that feel just like them and expressing their story authentically. Imagine a wedding photography experience where you can truly enjoy your day without worrying about a thing— I’ve created a unique process that gives couples their day back. From start to finish, I handle every last detail so they can focus on celebrating and being in love, not on posing, timelines and being pulled away from the people you love. I focus on emotional, documentary-style images that capture who you are together, not just how you looked on the day. You show up authentically, I handle the rest!

What sets me apart from others? That is a question that I have actually done a lot of deep thinking on lately. There are so many incredible photographers in Ohio. What makes us all different? It’s about the person behind the camera. Our personalities are how we distinguish ourselves from one another and I believe that couples looking to book their photographer should really consider this. I am someone who deeply cares for my clients. I want them to be fully prepared for everything, comfortable in front of my camera and leaving the session feeling like they’re just made a new friend for life. It is so important to me that my couples are prepared because that’s what leaves space for authenticity in their session. That’s not a tagline. It’s just how I operate. When you feel at ease, that’s when the real moments happen. And real moments are what make photos worth keeping forever.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’d like to work with me, you can reach out via the contact form on my website (cassandraleephoto.com). For any other questions, collaborations or to just say hi, feel free to email me at cassandralphoto@gmail.com or message me on Instagram (@cassandraleephoto).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cassandraleephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandraleephoto/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassandralphoto