Inspiring Conversations with Kristin Cheatwood of Kristin Cheatwood Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Cheatwood.

Hi Kristin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a kid, I always took my camera EVERYWHERE. I was the unofficial elementary school photographer. During my childhood my Father, who worked for Honda, took me along to every professional motocross race around the country. I had taken interest in photographing the racers and was the only female on the track! It wasn’t long before the professional photographers took me under their wing and by the time I was 20 years old, my images were printed in national publications, while I was still attending UGA to complete my marketing degree. One day one of the racers asked me to photograph his wedding. I hesitantly agreed, and after his photos were published more and more people asked me to photograph their weddings. People who saw the photos began asking me to photograph their weddings and in 2011 I retired from my marketing career to photograph weddings full time! Now in 2025 I have photographed over 300 weddings. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had (aside from being a Mom). I typically photograph 15 weddings per year and get hired in Atlanta, and flown to destination weddings.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Photographing professional motorsports was very easy to pick up on thanks to the veteran photographers who took me under their wings. When I transitioned to weddings the learning curve was STEEP. I attended countless wedding workshops and still continue my education today. Wedding photography is a huge responsibility, so I have strict routines the week of, the night before and the day of a wedding.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Atlanta and North Georgia, and I’ve photographed over 300 weddings since 2008 as well as countless families, seniors, sports events.
I’m very hands on with every couple or family I work with. I believe in being thorough in my emails, timelines, questionnaires, helping with locations, posing, everything. I want people to feel like they’re taken care of from the moment they inquire until long after their gallery is delivered. I think my clients can feel that I genuinely care about them and their experience, not just the photos.

I specialize in weddings, engagements, and lifestyle portraiture; and recently started focusing on capturing kids sports events in a unique way. anything that involves real relationships and emotion.
People usually tell me they chose me because:
I’m calm, soft-spoken, and organized (especially helpful on wedding days!)
I can get even the shyest groom or anxious kid to relax
I make timelines easy and stress-free
I deliver galleries quickly
My photos feel natural, warm, and intentional
I’m known for being the photographer who has a plan (and a Plan B), but never adds stress to the day. Couples always tell me they felt taken care of — and that means everything to me.

A few things sets me apart from others
I like to shoot through moments to capture the real emotion. For example, when a Bride’s mother is helping her into her dress, the mother is doing everything she can to hold back her emotions, so she can complete the task of zipping or buttoning up the dress. Most people think that the event ends after the Mom zips up the dress. Honestly, the real emotion is caught after a moment has passed. That means after Mom is done zipping up the dress, I continue to keep my camera focused on her, because she shows her real emotion after holding it all together.

I treat every couple like I’ve known them for years. I send multiple prep emails, questionnaires, and resources because I want them walking into their wedding day knowing exactly what to expect — no surprises, no chaos.

I also show up 30 minutes early to every wedding. I check in with the bride, help keep the schedule on track, and make sure family photos move smoothly (without shouting!).

I’m proud that my brand is rooted in genuine connection and trust. Couples trust me with everything: their family dynamics, their insecurities, their concerns, their timeline worries.
I’m also proud that so many vendors and planners refer me because they know I’m reliable, consistent, and calm under pressure.
And honestly, I’m proud of the experience I’ve built. It’s not just pretty photos, it’s the emails, the preparation, the way I communicate, the way I show up early and stay on top of things, the way I make people feel. I think that’s what keeps my couples coming back for family photos, anniversaries, and baby announcements long after the wedding.

I want readers to know that working with me is personal. It’s tailored. It’s intentionally calm and organized. I take the time to learn what matters most to my couples so I can photograph their story in a way that feels real to them.
I offer wedding collections, engagement sessions, lifestyle portraits, seniors, and now recently, family sports photography. My family clients now want to have professional photos of the various sports their kids compete in. This is much different than the in-house photographer you may see at events. I only focus on one family which means theres more intentional photos taken of the child and I also capture the child’s family cheering him on. I capture the serious focus moments and funny, silly ones.
If you want photos that feel natural and emotional and an experience that feels easy and stress-free, that’s exactly what I offer.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a full-time photographer is that the photographs matter, but the experience matters even more. People may forget every detail of their wedding day, but they will always remember how they felt when they were in front of your camera. I used to think it was all about delivering perfect images, but over the years (and after photographing hundreds of weddings) I realized people need someone who can step into the chaos with them, steady the room, and help them feel safe, seen, and celebrated.

I’ve learned how important it is to slow down, pay attention to the little moments, and meet each couple exactly where they are. Every wedding has its own energy, its own family dynamics, its own curveballs. Being flexible, being calm, and being able to read a room has honestly become just as important as knowing the technical side of photography.

Another big lesson: your clients trust you with some of the most emotional, vulnerable parts of their lives. You’re not just photographing a wedding, you’re supporting a couple through one of the most meaningful days of their story. That’s a responsibility I never take lightly.

And finally, I’ve learned to trust myself.
Trust my eye.
Trust my instincts when a moment is unfolding.
Trust that my calm is contagious.
Trust that I can walk into any lighting situation, any weather, any family dynamic, and still deliver something beautiful.

So if I had to sum it up: the most important lesson is that photography is not just about taking great images. it’s about creating an experience that people walk away from feeling loved, cared for, and genuinely understood.

Pricing:

• Wedding collections start at $2,500
• my couples tend to spend $3100-$4500 on their wedding photos

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kcheatwood.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheatwoodphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheatwoodphotography/

Image Credits
All image credits are mine except:
ANAG1200 – Amanda Nagy
EnduroKristin – Tony Scavo