Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Stacy Burk

Stacy Burk shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Stacy, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the most important. My Dad always taught me, “A man is only as good as his word”. I believe that. As a child, I watched my Dad as he told a man about a plow he had for sale. My Dad made sure the man knew everything wrong with the plow before he bought it. I asked my Dad after the man left why he told the man all the things wrong with the plow. I told him that it’s going to be hard to sell if you keep telling everyone all the things that are wrong with it. He told me, “How would you feel if you bought the plow and didn’t find out all the things wrong with it till you got it home and started using it?” I learned a good lesson that day I’ll never forget.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been recognized as the Best of 2023,24 & 25 Elopement and Wedding Photographer in Sedona, Arizona. My dedication to excellence and commitment to capturing the most memorable moments have earned a reputation as one of the top photographers in the region. Having honed my craft in the competitive entertainment industry of Nashville and Los Angeles, I understand the importance of delivering top-notch quality to my clients. My commitment to excellence has earned me the title of the most 5-star-rated photographer on Google in the state of Arizona and the entire Southwest. With a passion for storytelling through the lens, I believe I bring a unique perspective to each photo session, ensuring that every image tells a captivating story of love and adventure. Unlike many photographers in Sedona who rely solely on natural light, I utilize both natural light and studio-quality lighting to capture vibrant, colorful images even in harsh sunlight. My innovative approach to lighting allows me to control the mood and atmosphere of each photograph, creating stunning portraits that stand out from the rest. With my lighting techniques, I’m able to highlight the natural beauty of Sedona’s landscapes while ensuring that my subjects are perfectly illuminated. My background as a country music artist and experience working with professional photographers in Nashville have honed my skills in portraiture, allowing me to create stunning images that capture the essence of my subjects. Whether capturing the love between couples, the joy of families, or the beauty of maternity, my expertise in portraiture shines through in every photograph, creating timeless memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
When I was a kid, I would go around the farm singing most of the time. My mother saw my talent and took me to get guitar lessons. After I learned guitar, she entered me into a talent show. I was so nervous that when I took stage, it looked like the wind was blowing my britches legs, lol. But the more I sang on stage, I became so comfortable that it felt natural. In the coming years, I ended up singing in front of thousands of people every week on stage. If it hadn’t been for my mother seeing my talents and believing in me… I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
At around 24, I had 5 major record labels wanting to sign me in Nashville, TN. I ended up choosing Warner Brothers. But it just so happened that my mother came down with cancer, so I asked Warner Brothers if I could go back to the farm in Texas to be with my mom. They said yes and they would be willing to hold off on signing the contract for 6 months. Well, I went home, but my mother took a turn for the worse and passed away from the cancer. Since I was an only child and it was my mom that took me all over Texas growing up singing in the country opries… I felt completely lost. It took me about a decade before I could go back to Nashville. But by then, the internet had come and most everyone lost their jobs in Nashville because they couldn’t figure out how to make money on music anymore since people were getting it free on the internet. I had lost my opportunity. But I still haven’t given up. I just released a new single that I’m very excited about. It’s called “Together We Ride” and it’s streaming on all major music apps. I also produced a video for it on YouTube. One of the places that we filmed my new music video was at the actual film set from the famous movie, Tombstone. My new song was recorded in Nashville by Ben Fowler, a Grammy Award winning producer who has produced Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sara Evans and many big-name artists.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to never giving up on using my talents that God give me. I believe it’s important to always use our talents for God no matter how old we are.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember how much I believed in keeping a pure heart. My mom told me in Bible it says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” I think the pure in heart are the happiest. Also hope they remember that I never gave up on chasing my dreams. I gave it my all and never held back. Don’t ever do anything halfway. If you’re going to do something, do it right and give it your very best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stacyburkphotography.com/
• Instagram: @stacyburkphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacyburkphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@STACYBURK