Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Westerhaus.
Hi Liz, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Photography has been a passion of mine since I was in grade school. I never thought I could do it as a full-time career though, so pursued other interests in college. I became a mother not long after graduating college and had the great privilege of staying home to raise children, where I also had the opportunity to pick the camera back up and photograph the young lives of my three beautiful babies. Once they were in school full-time, I thought I’d try to take this passion of mine and turn it in to a business. I started as a Professional Portrait Photographer in 2008, primarily photographing families, children + wedding’s. I have since stepped away from those avenues and am now primarily photographing Seniors, doing commercial work and also a Social Media Content Photographer + Account Manager for multiple MN businesses as well as a Sports Photographer for a few media outlets as well as a Freelance Sports Photographer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Even with an immense amount of passion and joy for this craft, the road has had its challenges. Photographing wedding’s and doing constant family portrait work while raising three toddlers completely burned me out. (There were other contributing factors too, of course.) But so much so, I had to step away from photography for two years completely. I even listed my camera’s and lenses to sell, thinking I would never go back to it. Oddly, my coveted camera gear never sold. I did an incredible amount of soul-level work as well as took deep rest during that time and trusted if photography as a career was meant for me, it would circle back around. After a two year hiatus, my camera slowly found its way back in to my hands and I felt rejuvenated enough to start working again in the field, but in a different way. I discontinued doing weddings and solely focused on Seniors, got in to commercial photography for businesses and found my way to Sports, which has been one of my greatest joys.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say now I am most known for my work in youth, high school, NCAA and some professional-level sports. I’m a sports photographer first and foremost, working not only as a freelance creative but hired by media companies to shoot individual athletes and events.
I ALSO thoroughly enjoy promoting people and businesses, helping them grow, expand and connect to their communities through my photography of their products, projects and brands. I am most proud of my ability to connect with people, represent their business and voice in the best light possible but also get images that are a true reflection of who they are. What I believe sets me apart is just that. . .my ability to get to know, understand and LISTEN to people on a deeper, more human level, so I’m able to be their voice and storyteller through the images I capture on their behalf.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe wholly in risk-taking and believe it’s a necessity for our growth. I have never had a fear of failure. Failure, making “mistakes” have been such a HUGE part of my learning and growth that I strongly welcome them. I usually throw myself in to new adventures willingly, fully aware of the risks and potential challenges, but trusting I’ll handle them the best I can as they arise. At the worst, learn from them and pivot or try something else. In my career as a photographer, I’ve never been afraid to put myself out there and continue to learn so much as a result. My greatest challenges and darkest moments have been my greatest teachers, hands down.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lizwesterhausphotography.com
- Instagram: lizwesterhausphotography
