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Finding harmony between your personal life and business can be a challenging journey, especially as a creative entrepreneur. In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I chat with Cait Swithers, a wedding photographer and educator based in Colorado, who has found a beautiful way to align her personal life with her photography business. Cait shares her story, experiences, and practical advice on how to build a business that feels in sync with your values and lifestyle.
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Finding Fulfillment Beyond the 9-to-5 Grind
Cait opens up about how she initially pursued a career in social work, believing it was her calling to help women through nonprofits. However, as time went on, she found herself emotionally drained and burnt out from the work. Photography became her creative escape—a side hustle that brought color and joy back into her life. Eventually, Cait took the leap to go full-time with photography, finding freedom and fulfillment in capturing happy moments for couples. The process of aligning her passion with her work became her driving force.
Breaking the Mold and Aligning With Your Life
Cait talks about how, growing up, she felt the pressure to choose one career and stick with it for life. But she highlights how our generation is shifting that narrative, breaking the mold of a traditional 9-to-5 path. It’s not about choosing a job and sticking with it just because you went to school for it—it’s about aligning your work with who you are and what feels good to your life. For Cait, that meant letting go of what wasn’t working for her and leaning into her strengths and passions to serve others in the best way possible.
Overcoming the Guilt of Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
One of the hurdles Cait faced when transitioning from her full-time social work job to photography was dealing with the guilt of letting go of a “safe” career to pursue something more uncertain. She discusses how having the support of her husband, Sam, made a huge difference in gaining the confidence to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. Cait emphasizes the importance of having someone in your corner who believes in your vision and encourages you to take that leap of faith.
Creating Space for Mentorship and Education
Beyond photography, Cait has started mentoring other photographers and offering education to help creatives build sustainable businesses. She’s passionate about breaking down the barriers and “gatekeeping” that can exist in the industry. For Cait, it’s all about sharing the journey, creating community, and helping other photographers find fulfillment in their own paths.
The Importance of a Mindset Shift
Cait’s business really took off when she experienced a mindset shift—understanding her value and the impact of her work on clients. As an entrepreneur, it’s common to feel unsure about charging for something you’re passionate about. Cait shares that one of the best things you can do is recognize the value you bring to others and price your services accordingly. Once she embraced this mindset, Cait found that her confidence grew, her work became more meaningful, and her business flourished.
Learning to Delegate and Scale Your Business
As Cait’s business grew, she faced the challenge of balancing all the tasks required to keep her business running while still maintaining her creative spark. One of her first steps was finding a virtual assistant who aligned with her vision and values. Cait shares how delegating tasks like email management, client communication, and even parts of the editing process allowed her to reclaim her time, be more present in her life, and focus on the creative aspects of her business.
By freeing up time and space, Cait was able to start traveling for destination weddings and engage in more personal and passion-driven projects. This shift not only allowed her to scale her business but also brought so much joy and enrichment to her life.
Practical Tips for Aligning Life and Business
Cait offers advice for photographers and creatives who are looking to align their life and business:
- Rediscover Your Why: Ask yourself why you started your business in the first place. What inspires you? What drives you? Reconnect with the reasons behind your passion.
- Time Tracking and Cost Analysis: Take an honest look at how you’re spending your time. Are the tasks you’re doing bringing value to your business, or are there areas you can delegate?
- Stay True to Your Unique Voice: Instead of trying to be like everyone else, focus on honing in on your “secret sauce”—the unique qualities and style that make you stand out.
- Embrace Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s finding a mentor, a supportive partner, or hiring a virtual assistant. Having someone in your corner can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Be Uniquely You
Cait’s parting words are to be unapologetically yourself. She encourages fellow creatives to take inspiration from others but ultimately find their own voice and offer an experience that is true to who they are. When you align your work with your values and your life, you’re able to serve clients in a way that feels authentic, fulfilling, and sustainable.
Connect with Cait Swithers
If you want to learn more about Cait’s journey, mentorship program, or follow along with her photography, you can find her on:
Thank you for reading! If you found Cait’s story inspiring and are looking for more tips on aligning your life and business as a creative, let’s connect on Instagram! I’d love to hear your thoughts and chat about your journey.
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