Rising Stars: Meet Stephen & Melissa Snyder

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Stephen & Melissa Snyder.

Hi Stephen & Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Things started for us back in 2018 when we took a cabin trip with our kids that, we say, changed everything for us. After learning a hard lesson about hiring the right person for our wedding day photographer, we had a fire in our hearts to help other couples relive their wedding day. Through many tough talks and prayers, we decided to leave our full-time (well-loved) careers and pursue our dreams of becoming full-time wedding photographers!

We knew if we were going to become wedding photographers, it was a big responsibility. This is someone’s memory of a day they intend to have for the rest of their lives! You can’t expect to show up on a wedding day and just have magic happen, so we needed to know the ins and outs. We spent the better part of a year diving deep and investing in the one thing we still believe helped us build our business and serve our couples well from the beginning – education from some of the best.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We love this question because absolutely not! Every business owner faces struggles and bumps along the way, but every bump has been a growing point for us. Most small business owners wear many hats. You are the marketing team, the finance team, the tech support team, the laborer, the visionary, and the CEO, sometimes all at once.

Creating a work/life balance was a big struggle and key early on. We have three children with whom we want to spend as much time as possible, and our industry can be very busy. During peak wedding season (April & October here in Arizona), we feel the pressure most. The truth is, only about 10% of the time we spend working with a couple is on-location. So much more happens behind the scenes from our own homes. Luckily, our children understand and take an interest in what we do. They know the couples we work with, even though they rarely meet them!

One of our mentors once referred to owning your own business as being on a roller coaster — one day. You have your hands up screaming for joy, and the next, a big drop hits. No matter what type of business you own, it’s a wild ride with many beautiful benefits and opportunities. We are so grateful for all the people who have been cheerleaders for us over the years. To the family that supports us, we couldn’t do it without you!

To our children who walk this road with us, we are proud to have you by our side. And to the couples we work with, we are excited to walk along with you when you leap!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
In Arizona, there are few husband and wife teams who capture photos and videos for weddings. While we were drawn to the industry through photography, there are so many moments during a wedding day that can’t be captured other than through video. Videography wasn’t as prevalent when we got married, and looking back, there are so many moments we wished we had recorded from our wedding. To capture it all simultaneously without getting in each other’s way, take a level of teamwork that is so hard to find!

It surprises some people to discover that we are not only married but also work together. It often sparks interesting conversations, and many appreciate the dynamic of having a husband and wife team. While some may think wedding photography involves just taking pictures from a distance, our approach is unique. We aim to create a comfortable environment where couples can truly be themselves around us. We get excited, dance at the reception, cry during the sweet moments, and celebrate you as a couple.

Most people don’t realize that on a wedding day, you spend more time with your photo/video team than with your soon-to-be spouse, which is why we value building connections with our couples and their families before, during, and after the wedding.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
Starting our own business was the biggest risk either of us has taken. We both had full-time careers that we walked away from to follow our passion. Swapping our 9-5 for chasing our dreams felt like tightrope walking without a safety net at times, but the treasures it has given us are priceless.

Navigating risk involves making informed decisions while aiming for success. How much risk are you willing to embrace? When we launched our business, with three children to support, we prioritized stability over wishful thinking. We meticulously saved and planned for over a year before taking the leap. We got mentors who were extremely helpful in guiding our business. This business and everything related to it was a decision we approached with utmost seriousness.

The key advice we can offer is to avoid comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle. Success takes time, effort, and unwavering commitment to reap the rewards of the risks taken. Stay with it, and don’t quit! Find mentors, learn from others, and grow your skills. It is easy to look ahead and see that you have far to go to reach your current goals, but take some time to look back and appreciate how far you’ve come, too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephenandmelissa.co
• Instagram: @Stephenandmelissa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCng50qtIjrJHqgz8hrZu1Dg