Today we’d like to introduce you to Astrid Woltering.
Hi Astrid, 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?
I started this photography business with the intention of it being a side hustle. At first I simply photographed family and friends, then as word spread it was co workers and others who found me on Facebook or my blog. I could never have imagined how this business would grow and I am so appreciative of the life it has allowed me to have for me and my family.
I charged $500 for my first wedding and (I believe) $150 for my first portrait session. Through the years, we have added team members, opened various studios, and have had a team of Associate Photographers who work for us. I now photograph weddings all over the world with a focus primarily on the east coast. The first 14 years of my business was based out of Washington, DC with a studio in Old Town, Alexandria and we are now so excited to have a second home base in Charleston, SC.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I truly believe that the greatest life lessons come from the ups and downs of running a business. Entrepreneurship is often romanticized these days, especially with the glossy Instagram reels showcasing exotic travels and the allure of a flexible lifestyle. While those aspects can be part of the journey, the reality is that you’re fully responsible for everything—revenue goals, salaries, retirement planning, insurance, legal matters, marketing, and sales. It’s high-pressure, and when things aren’t going your way, you must constantly remind yourself that this is a long-term game.
The resilience, tenacity, passion, and grit required to keep moving forward when there’s no clear path or guaranteed success is not for the faint of heart. I’ve celebrated many highs over the years, but it’s the lows that have shaped me the most- both as a business owner and as a person. These challenges constantly push me to re-evaluate my goals and my values to ensure I am living the life I want.
In the beginning, my biggest struggle was saying yes to everything. It was an effective strategy in the early years when I was working to build my name in the industry. However, time is invaluable and every “yes” means a “no” to something else. Three kids and a husband later, I am now much more intentional about what I commit to.
My biggest struggle now remains one I’ve always had: I’m naturally risk-averse. This might be surprising, considering the “go big or go home” mentality often associated with entrepreneurship. But my aversion to risk has caused me to miss opportunities, focus too much on the small details, and get anxious about what could go wrong. The greatest support I’ve had through this is without a doubt from my husband and my fellow industry colleagues, who encourage me to step outside of my comfort zone. They help me stay grounded and remind me that taking risks is often the path to growth.
A quote that I have in my office currently for 2025 is “What’s the BEST that could happen”.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are east coast based wedding photographers who provide an elevated experience for couples getting married in coveted venues, private homes and historic spaces worldwide. Our trademark is capturing evocative and iconic wedding photography for stylish couples with impeccable taste.
We are most proud of the fact that in a world where you are inundated with instagram cool-girl vibes, we welcome the camera shy, the “I’m not photogenic”, or the ones who feel awkward in front of a camera. We are here to show you that you, too, can have stunningly beautiful images of yourself that you absolutely love.
What sets us apart is hands down our manifesto, titled “We Believe.” It completely encapsulates the heart and soul of our brand and the people behind it.
“We believe in always taking our work seriously, but never ourselves. We believe that life giving experiences will always matter over things. We believe in wanderlust and staying curious about the world. We believe every travel experience has something to teach us. We believe in having fun with trends, but classics never go out of style. We believe in the art of understated elegance and sometimes simple is best. We believe that conversations around the dinner table will always outshine conversations online. We believe the best photos are the honest ones that touch your soul. We believe in fostering community and that our differences are what make life messy and beautiful. We believe life’s most ordinary moments deserve to be documented in extraordinary ways. We believe every human being should feel beautiful behind a camera at least once in their lives. We believe any problem can be solved with a good friend and a bottle of red. We believe in the iconic black and white photograph. We believe in printing your photos, because nothing replaces the feeling of real paper in your hands. We believe in inclusivity, and every couple has a story worth telling. We believe that photography is a life long study in light and love, and that you can find light and love everywhere if you choose to see it. We believe.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Charleston has so much history, charm and soul to it. The food scene is out of this world! One of my favorite things to do is go on walks and Charleston is one of those cities where I could walk for miles. I love wandering the quiet neighborhood streets, admiring the historical mansions and exploring the boutiques and markets. There are endless local coffee shops (my favorite at the moment are Babas, Mercato and Harken) and you can often find me tucked away in one with my laptop and notebook. It’s my favorite way to work!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://astridphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astridphoto/
- Other: https://theapstudios.com
