Chloe Merriweather of Phoenix on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Chloe Merriweather . Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Chloe , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
“Teach elementary school children”, is something I never originally imagined for myself. In the past, I was hesitant to pursue this path because it felt outside of my original career plan and comfort zone. I worried whether I had the right temperament or skill set to support such young learners in a meaningful way. But through my experiences managing high-stress jobs, prioritizing mental health, and developing a deep empathy for others, I’ve realized that those very skills uniquely prepare me for this work. I’m being called to step into a role where I can help shape a supportive and emotionally safe classroom, one where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow. What once felt intimidating now feels like a powerful opportunity to make a lasting difference, especially for children who, like me at times, may be navigating more than just schoolwork.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder of a Phoenix-based photography brand that I started in Glendale at the age of 16. Now, as I turn 23, what began as a creative outlet, offering affordable photography sessions has grown into a full-fledged business with a strong presence across the Phoenix Valley—especially the West Valley. Over the past six years, I’ve expanded my reach by traveling for sessions and connecting with a new audience after moving to Tempe for school, including many incredible college seniors. A class assignment at ASU really pushed me to reflect on and expand my brand in meaningful ways. That experience helped me develop a self-designed branding guide that now serves as a reference point for everything from tone to visual identity. My brand is defined by a unique visual style that blends authentic storytelling with bold, cinematic aesthetics, and I’ve built a strong local network through genuine connection and community presence. I’m adaptable to a wide range of client aspirations, from consultations about personal branding to corporate events and momentous life celebrations, maternity to weddings. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable and seen during our sessions, which I credit to the trust and rapport I work hard to build through strong interpersonal skills. My commitment to professionalism means every session comes with consistent quality, reliability, and care. I’m proud of how far this brand has come and excited about where it’s headed next.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself isn’t one with a person, but the relationship between school and self. For much of my life, I tied my self-worth to academic validation, believing that grades, accolades, and performance defined my value. School became a mirror I looked into for approval, and I chased that sense of achievement to feel seen, capable, and enough. While that structure gave me discipline and drive, it also quietly distorted how I viewed my worth, making it conditional on external success. It wasn’t until I stepped into entrepreneurship that this mindset began to shift. Running my own photography business taught me that real value isn’t measured by GPA or test scores, it’s found in creativity, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect with others. Building something from the ground up required a kind of self-trust and authenticity that school never asked of me. I came to understand that academic validation holds no absolute truth about who you are as a person. It can be part of your story, but it doesn’t define your whole being. That realization has been one of the most freeing and transformative lessons of my life.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Without making this a witch hunt for sympathy some defining wounds of my life have been learning how to cope with rejection and subjectivity, especially as someone in a creative field. When you pour your time, energy, and heart into something, whether it’s photography, design, or any form of expression, it can be hard when others don’t respond the way you hoped. I’ve come to understand that not everyone will like what you create, and that’s okay. Creativity is deeply personal, but art is received through someone else’s lens, and that lens isn’t always going to align with yours. Even outside the creative industry, I’ve had experiences where no amount of explanation or evidence could shift someone’s opinion of me. That taught me a hard but liberating truth, you can do everything “right” and still not be for everyone. Just like in the creative world, you learn the rules so you know when and how to break them, but even then, not everyone will understand or appreciate your choices. Through all of that, I’ve learned to stop internalizing other people’s preferences as a reflection of my worth. Now, if I’m not someone’s cup of tea, I don’t take it personally when I’m not “drank.” But that kind of self-assurance didn’t happen overnight, it’s a mindset I’ve had to build over time, through practice, reflection, and a lot of grace with myself.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Where I think smart people often get it totally wrong today is in the belief that consistency alone guarantees success. Hearing it all the time “Just be consistent and the results will come.” While consistency is undeniably important, it’s not a golden ticket. You can show up every day, work hard, and follow all the right steps, but still not see the outcome you hoped for. Why? Because success also depends on timing, strategy, adaptability, access, and sometimes, just plain luck. This mindset can be especially damaging because when things don’t work out, people blame themselves: “I must not have been consistent enough.” But that’s not always true. I’ve seen people pour years into projects, relationships, or careers with unwavering dedication, only to be overlooked. Not because they lacked consistency, but because the system, the market, or the moment just wasn’t aligned. Consistency builds habits, resilience, and identity, but it’s not a standalone formula for success. Smart people sometimes overestimate its power, and in doing so, underestimate the need for reflection, pivoting, and recognizing when it’s time to evolve the plan.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
One of life’s greatest privileges, in my experience, is learning to be independent and truly happy in your own company. There’s a quiet strength in being able to enjoy your own presence/finding peace, creativity, and confidence without needing constant external validation or distraction. That kind of self-assured independence doesn’t mean shutting others out, it means you’re whole on your own, and anything or anyone you share life with becomes an addition, not a necessity. In connection to that I see sharing experiences with others as a privilege, not an expectation. Whether it’s laughter with friends, creative collaboration, or simply being understood those moments feel more meaningful when you’re not dependent on them for your sense of self. Being content with who you are alone allows you to show up more fully, generously, and authentically when you’re with others. That’s a privilege I don’t take for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cmerriweatherphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmerriweatherphotography/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-merriweather-60a5ba263

Image Credits
Chloe Merriweather