Images by Kelly McPhail at the beautiful Leaf and Teller

Meet the Photographer: Autumn, the Face Behind Autumn Hollifield Creative

Hey there! I’m Autumn, and I’m so excited to share a little bit about myself and my journey in photography. Grab a coffee, get comfy, and let me take you behind the lens!

It all started back in 2009 when my husband surprised me with my first DSLR camera. At the time, I had just made the decision not to pursue teaching, even though I had always thought that’s what I wanted to do. I had two young girls at home, and I chose to stay with them instead of heading off to a classroom. But as much as I loved being with my babies, I quickly realized I needed something for me. That’s when Images by Autumn was born.

I reached out to the photographer who had captured my wedding, Jim Woltjen, and he became my mentor. He taught me so much and was always patient with me as I learned the ropes of photography. He even let me second-shoot weddings with him – which was invaluable! Jim, if you’re reading this, I owe so much to you. Thanks for everything!

Over the years, I grew the business. I attended workshops, met other photographers, and kept pushing myself to get better. And while it was incredibly rewarding, it wasn’t always easy. I’ve lost count of how many times I thought about throwing in the towel. Running a business means wearing all kinds of hats: photographer, marketer, bookkeeper, scheduler – you name it. It's a lot to juggle! I photographed anything I could. Families, weddings, and I even started photographing competitions at the gym I attended.

Fast forward a bit, and after some serious burnout (hello, Covid), I decided to step away from photography and take on a “normal” job. I worked as a marketing director for a local car dealership, where I learned a ton of new skills. But after two years, I was laid off and I realized I missed photography – really missed it.

So, after a lot of soul-searching, I decided to jump back in, but this time, I’m going ALL IN. I took a hard look at the type of photography that I loved and have been saying 'no' to anything that isn't that. It's been so freeing! I found that I really loved working with seniors and businesses.

I expanded my services to include social media content creation and management, as well as video and I moved into a studio space in Greensboro where I offer portraits and headshots. These days, when I’m not out on a shoot, you can probably find me at a networking event or on a call, making connections and making things happen.

I’m so grateful for where this journey has taken me, and I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead. Photography is my heart, and I love capturing memories for others and helping small businesses excel. If you’re looking for portraits, headshots, or need help with social media content – or even just want to chat about photography – I’d love to connect!

Thanks for reading – I can’t wait to work with you.

Warmly,
Autumn

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