Meet Trish Peterson: Houston Wedding & Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trish Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trish, how do you think about risk?
When one decides to become an entrepreneur and business owner, there’s no escaping risk. As much as one would try, it’s just inherent and unavoidable. I’ve been known as an over-thinker and over-planner. In truth, I am a good bit risk-adverse. But looking back over the years, and especially at my career as a professional photographer, I wish that I had planned less and just done more. I admire the freedom that jumping in with both feet can afford. Yes, it is scary and we are prone to (more) mistakes. But I think there is something to be said about embracing the possibility of failure instead of trying so hard to avoid it. We learn via our mistakes, and one thing I realize now is that had I just “jumped in” a little bit faster I could have learned things faster as well. A lot has been said and written about risk taking. For me personally, what I hope to teach my boys and any folks that apprentice with me, is that it’s okay to not have the perfect plan before taking action (aka risk). There is great value in imperfection, too. My biggest takeaway so far has been that nothing in life is permanent…except death. Today’s mistake can yield tomorrow’s bounty. It is what we do with what we learn that truly matters most.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
When I was 15 years old I picked up a camera for the first time. Even after having experienced art school since the young age of 5, I had never really considered photography as an art medium. I knew painting, and sculpture, drawing, ceramics, and so on. But until my young adult life, a camera was just a tool to preserve fleeting moments, stop time, and make records of people. Not long after taking my first pictures I realized what incredible power this little box and lens held for making art and for seeing life in an artful way. How light can help transmit the mood of a moment, how different compositions can tell the same story in multiple ways, and how timing can take a portrait from a simple record to a work of beckoning art. I fell in love with the things the camera afforded me: cementing memories, slowing down moments, and looking at the world and people around me with seeking eyes. I could see the world anew in small details and moments of “in between.” I could create artful and treasured images to help build peoples’ legacies. I could connect deeply with people, even near perfect strangers. All of these things appealed to me, and still do. I think I’ve carried this mindset throughout my career. These are the things that truly keep me engaged, inspired, and passionate about photography after so many years. I also love how our own experiences shape how we experience the world and how as photographers we can (and often tend to) reflect those things through our photography.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love a good bike ride. I would definitely explore the city by bike along the trails at Sabine, especially through sunset and into nighttime. The views are simply breathtaking! Then maybe spend some time in the historic Heights area visiting the many awesome shops and grabbing lunch. I’d top that off with a trip to Amorino for some delectable gelato! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to recognize the Fearless Photographer community for being an amazing source of inspiration and support over the years. From personal mentorships, workshops, conferences, and the general camaraderie this group provides – they have been a huge influence in my journey as a professional photographer and have shaped me on a personal level that is hard to put into words. In particular, Huy Nguyen (founder of Fearless) for always creating and fostering experiences that bring our industry together and lift it up locally and around the world. I am so grateful for my Fearless Family. If you want to see some crazy-good work from the best wedding and family photographers in the world, I highly recommend a visit to the Fearless Photographers website www.fearlessphotographers.com.

Website: www.plumtreestudios.com

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/plumtreestudios
www.instagram.com/plumtreeportraits
www.instagram.com/pts_boudoir

Facebook: facebook.com/plumtreestudios

Image Credits
The feature image should be credited to Gala Bethany Studios (me in a black top). All others are credited to me (Plum Tree Studios).