Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Rasch-Chaves.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started playing trombone in sixth grade and honestly never looked back. I attended New World School of the Arts in Miami for high school, then earned a scholarship to study Music Performance at Stetson University. After that, I completed my Master of Music in Trombone Performance at Shenandoah University in Virginia.
Music was my whole world for a long time.
After grad school, I took two years off and moved back to South Florida. I worked as an independent contractor for local schools teaching low brass students from middle school through high school, gave private lessons, and worked night shifts as a linehaul coordinator at FedEx. It was a grind, late nights, early mornings, building something, figuring myself out.
At the end of 2019, I made a pivot. I began the process of enlisting in the Army. After auditioning and earning a spot, I went through MEPS and shipped to Basic Training in mid-2020. I completed all 20 weeks, including music training, and by December 2020 I was stationed in Texas.
While serving as an Army Bandsman, I also worked in the Public Affairs office where I was documenting events, building the social media community and creating content. That dual role quietly planted the seed for what would become my next chapter.
In February 2022, I started my photography business. I began with families, but by September I connected with another photographer who pulled me into the wedding world, which felt like a natural shift since I was already gravitating toward couples. From there, I immersed myself. I second shot anywhere I could, for as many photographers and venues as possible, learning different lighting, styles, timelines, personalities, everything.
In summer 2023, after six months of recovering from shoulder surgery, I separated from the Army.
2024 became my first full-time year as a wedding photographer, with several weddings of my own on the calendar. I was still second shooting heavily, sharpening my instincts and building relationships.
2025 grew exponentially.
2026 is on the same trajectory.
I’m first-generation American, my parents are Colombian, and building my life in Texas has meant being away from family. I originally started my photography business because I craved community. What I found was far more than that. I found connection, purpose, and a space where storytelling, art, service, and people all collide.
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?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the biggest challenges was identity. I had spent most of my life pursuing music at a high level. “Musician” wasn’t just what I did, it was how I saw myself. So when that chapter began shifting, I had to figure out who I was beyond that identity. That transition was uncomfortable and took time.
After grad school, I was working constantly but still unsure about long-term direction. Enlisting in the Army at the end of 2019 was a major pivot. Basic training in 2020 was physically and mentally demanding, and adjusting to military life stretched me in every way.
While serving as a bandsman, I also worked in Public Affairs, which introduced me to visual storytelling in a different capacity. When I started my photography business in 2022, I was still on active duty. I was learning contracts, marketing, editing, and the wedding industry in real time. I second shot as much as possible, drove across Texas most weekends, and treated it like an apprenticeship.
Breaking into weddings in a crowded market was intimidating. I had to get clear on why I was doing this and what made my perspective valuable. It forced me to define how I wanted to serve couples instead of trying to replicate what was already working for others.
In 2023, I had shoulder surgery and that raised practical concerns about whether I could physically sustain a demanding wedding schedule long term.
Entrepreneurship isn’t foreign to me. My parents and my uncle have built their own businesses for over 20 years, so I’ve seen what happens when you commit to work that truly aligns with you. That example gave me confidence to take risks, but it also meant I didn’t take the responsibility lightly. Building something of my own needed to be intentional.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a wedding photographer based in Central Texas. I primarily photograph weddings and couple sessions, with most of my work rooted in the Austin, San Antonio, and in between.
I specialize in documentary-driven wedding photography with a refined, editorial awareness. What that means in practice is I’m paying close attention to real moments as they unfold, body language, quiet exchanges, family dynamic, but I also know when to step in and create structure when it matters. My goal is for couples to be fully present in their day while I handle the awareness of light, composition, timing, and flow.
I’m known for reading the room well. I don’t over-direct or overproduce a wedding day. I pay attention. I anticipate. I help create space where couples feel comfortable enough to be themselves, which naturally leads to images that feel grounded and honest.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my couples place in me. Many of them tell me they felt calm knowing I was there, and that matters to me. The photos are important but how someone feels while they’re being photographed lasts just as long. I’m proud that the experience is just as strong as the final gallery.
What sets me apart is intention. I built this business very consciously. I entered a crowded industry and chose not to chase trends. Instead, I focused on refining how I serve people, clear communication, strong timelines, collaboration with planners, respect for the emotional weight of the day.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m big on podcasts for both business and personal growth. I regularly listen to people like Codie Sanchez, Jay Shetty, Simon Sinek, and Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins is actually someone I grew up hearing, my mom used to play his cassette tapes in the car in the early 2000s, so that mindset and personal development language has been around me for a long time.
In terms of books, Atomic Habits has had a big impact on how I approach growth, especially building systems instead of relying on motivation. I also really value leadership books by John C. Maxwell. They’ve shaped how I think about discipline, character, and long-term development.
For daily mental sharpness, I use apps like Elevate and Lumosity.
Outside of business, I try to protect my creativity. I do kickboxing to stay physically grounded, and I read fiction and love movies, especially ones that lean strongly into intentional cinematography to keep myself creative in different realms.
Pricing:
- Wedding collections begin at $4,800
- Most couples invest between $5,500–$7,500 depending on coverage hours and additions
- Couple and engagement sessions begin at $600
- I offer film photography, per roll
- All wedding collections include timeline guidance, digital gallery delivery, and print rights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephanierenaeco.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephanierenaeco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanierenaeco.photo/
Image Credits
self credit. all images of stephanie renae co. photography
