So... I’m a Photographer

Okay, it still kind of blows my mind to say, “I’m a photographer,” even though it’s technically my side hustle. This is something I do outside of my day job, but it’s become a huge part of who I am. I run Reitz Media on the side, and I get to create stuff I care about. It didn’t happen overnight. I am still trying to figure it out. 

It all started with me as an 11-year-old in my photography/YouTube era. I loved creating content, whether taking simple photos of the sun, flowers, or the grass, to filming my life growing up on my vlog channel "Vivian's Vlogs." I have been in this game for 10 years now, and I still post to this day. Not as often as I used to since I entered the adult world, of working and going to college, and finding the time/motivation to continue. But it is still a passion of mine!

Now I am bringing my camera to small-town events, volunteering whenever I can, and just loving the feeling of catching moments that mattered to people. I had no clue where it would lead, but I knew I wanted to keep doing it. What started as helping out turned into something more serious.

Now, I shoot everything—from local events to lifestyle sessions—and every time I’m on a shoot, I remind myself: this is someone’s real life. Their big moment, their brand, their memories. It's my favorite part that I get to help tell their story. 

It’s not always easy juggling it with my other work. Between being a barista, editing, emails, vlogging, scheduling (and rescheduling), marketing, and social media… sometimes I’m running on a few hours of sleep BUT my honey, cinnamon iced oat milk latte saves me. Otherwise that it’s mine. I built it alongside everything else, and I love it.

For me, photography isn’t just about getting nice pictures. It’s about connection. Noticing what makes someone them and capturing that in a way that feels real. I’ve had clients cry when they see their photos for the first time, and honestly, that never gets old.

So yeah, I’m a photographer on the side.
But more than that, I see beauty in the small stuff, believe everyone’s got a story worth telling, and feel super grateful to be doing this—even if it’s not my full-time gig.

—Vivian
Reitz Media