We’re looking forward to introducing you to Carrie Wildes. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Carrie , 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’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, hands down.
In my work, people are entrusting me with so much more than just taking pretty pictures—they’re trusting me to capture how they feel about one another, not just how they look. That requires a deep level of trust, and I believe integrity is what earns and keeps that trust. It’s showing up wholeheartedly, doing what I say I will, and always putting people first. I’ve photographed clients through all seasons of life—from engagements to weddings to growing families—and those long-term relationships are built on integrity. Without it, the intelligence and energy don’t really matter.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Carrie Wildes, the owner and lead photographer behind Carrie Wildes Photography. I started this business over 17 years ago with the goal of creating an experience that’s not just about photos, but about the people in them. We specialize in weddings, portraits, corporate and lifestyle photography, and what makes our work unique is the intentional way we get to know our clients.
Whether it’s a couple on their wedding day or a family welcoming a new baby, we’re capturing more than just how they look—we’re telling the story of how they feel in that moment. That emotional connection is what drives everything we do.
One of my favorite things is when clients become lifelong friends. We’ve had the joy of photographing couples from their engagement to their wedding day, and then later their maternity and family sessions. That trust and continued relationship means the world to me.
Right now, we’re working on some exciting new branding and wall art collections that give clients a beautiful way to live with their photos—not just keep them on a screen. It’s all about celebrating life’s moments in a way that lasts.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks bonds between people is a lack of communication and empathy—when we stop seeing each other with compassion or fail to really listen. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the busy or the hard and lose sight of what matters most.
What restores those bonds is presence—being fully there for each other—and remembering why we connected in the first place. For me, photography is often a part of that restoration. When people look at their photos and are reminded of the love, joy, or even quiet strength in a moment, it helps them reconnect. That’s part of the beauty of what I get to do—help people see and feel what matters most all over again.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I would say there are many times where people truly have listened to me but the one that comes to mind immediately was 18 years ago when I was thinking about leaving my engineering career in the corporate world. I was talking with one of my mentors about the struggle or leaving it behind as I had hit the goals in my photography business. She heard the struggle and fear I was living in to make the jump and said to me “The Industrial Engineering degree and work experience you have had over the last 6 years no one can ever take away from you, it’s yours. So if this doesn’t work out and you decide to go back you can!” This gave me the permission I needed to feel confident to make the leap and I haven’t looked back!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. With me, what you see is what you get. I’m not one version of myself in business and another in real life—I show up the same way in every space, and I want the people I work with to feel safe to do the same.
That authenticity is at the core of how I connect with clients and capture their stories. I’m not interested in stiff poses or picture-perfect moments. I’m after the real stuff—the way someone laughs when they’re fully themselves, or the quiet connection between two people who know each other’s hearts.
Being real creates trust, and that trust is what allows me to document people as they truly are—and that’s where the magic happens.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I’ve come to understand deeply—more than most—is how fleeting moments really are. What feels ordinary today can become deeply meaningful later. Most people think they’ll remember the way someone looked at them or how it felt to hold their child as a newborn—but those details fade faster than we realize.
That’s why photography is so powerful. It’s not just about images—it’s about preserving the feeling of a moment. I’ve seen how a single photo can bring someone to tears years later, not because it was perfectly posed, but because it brings them back to a time they never want to forget.
I carry that understanding into every session. Whether it’s a wedding day, a growing family, or a quiet milestone, I’m always thinking about what this moment will mean later. That’s the heart behind everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carriewildes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriewildesphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/carriewildes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carriewildes
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/carriewildes
Image Credits
The Headshot credit is to Mir Salgado Photography.
All the rest of the photos were taken by me – Carrie Wildes Photography
