10 Years in Business!

10 years ago this month was when I first declared my photography business! At the time, my mom and I ran the company together under the name “Sweetpea Photography.” I was almost done with college, working at Channel 12, with the goal of working my way to be a journalist. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with my little side hobby and that it would eventually become a career.

The journey has been crazy! I started out in my basement, which was free rent (hey!) but a little hard with the narrow steps for clients to come down. I next moved to the back of my mom’s store, in a tiny 250 square foot space that I was thrilled to have but quickly outgrew. Then in 2016, I was making enough to finally have a storefront studio space of my own in Andover. I remember how big of a deal that was to our family; so many people helped me move, prayed over the space, and I still couldn’t believe what was happening. This was also the year that I started pursuing weddings more and officially changed my business name to Cynthia Whiteside Photography. Since then, I have changed studios a couple more times (yay growth!) and now share a 1500 square foot studio space in downtown Wichita. I have been so grateful for every step of the way!

It was hard to narrow this down, but 10 highlights from these past 10 years include:

1. Every single one of the wonderful weddings I’ve been a part of
2. Shooting my first birth photography session (there’s nothing like watching a miracle)
3. Taking that step for the keys to my own studio storefront
4. Working weddings alongside my wonderful mother
5. Photographing newborns of clients whose weddings I did
6. Working alongside my awesome sister
7. My Senior Rep Programs and all the fun we had!
8. Bridal Shows and networking
9. Meeting and photographing the anchors of KAKE news
10. Photographing a senior while flying in a private airplane where I threw up all over the floor (I was pregnant, okay?!)

As an Enneagram 7 (for those who don’t know what I’m talking about, research here), I have thrived on the creative flow, constant change and spontaneous activities of this career. I seriously am SO grateful to all my wonderful clients, supportive family members and friends for allowing me to do my passion and help provide for my family. I am also blown away and honored to still photograph a few families who first came to me all those years ago- especially after how much I’ve grown!

In order to say THANK YOU, I am doing a GIVEAWAY on my Instagram, so be sure to check it out and enter! Here’s to the next 10 years and making beautiful memories with all of you!