Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Pierce.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was originally born and raised in the metro Detroit area, and I actually took photography classes in high school. I loved it, but at the time, I wasn’t really shown that it could be something I pursued as a career. At the same time, I felt a strong pull toward working with at-risk teens, which was very personal to me because I was one.
I became pregnant at 18, and instead of letting that define the limits of my future, I made the decision to pursue my education anyway. I moved away to college with my daughter and lived on Grand Valley’s campus while earning my degree in sociology, which eventually led me to complete my master’s in social work.
Since then, I’ve worked in a wide range of settings including detention centers, foster care, and outpatient therapy, and I am now a fully licensed therapist. Throughout all of those experiences, one thing has stayed constant for me. Every single person has a story. It doesn’t matter their age, background, or circumstances. Every story holds value, meaning, and purpose. It has been an incredible privilege to sit with people in their healing and witness that firsthand.
Photography found its way back into my life during my years as a single mom. For 12 years, I was raising my daughter on my own while slowly rebuilding a creative outlet that felt aligned with who I was becoming. When I picked up a camera again, it wasn’t just about taking photos. It became an extension of the work I was already doing. Creating a safe space, helping people feel seen, and capturing them in an honest and authentic way.
In 2019, I got married and later had my son, and today I continue to work full time as a therapist while also growing my photography business. I’ve also begun mentoring others in the creative community, which has been incredibly meaningful to me.
Most recently, I’ve been building a creative studio called The Story Room. This space is rooted in everything I believe about people and storytelling. It’s not just a place to take photos. It’s a space designed for creativity, connection, and authenticity, where people can show up as they are and feel safe doing so.
Even in my work as a therapist, I’ve found ways to integrate photography. At the school I work in, I use it both within sessions and as a way to give back by offering senior photos to students at no cost. It’s been one of the most therapeutic and rewarding ways to combine both sides of who I am.
At the core of everything I do, whether in therapy or photography, is the belief that your story matters. And being trusted to hold and capture that story is something I will never take lightly.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges for me has been truly believing in myself as an artist. For a long time, I struggled with imposter syndrome because I didn’t take a traditional path into photography. I didn’t go to school for it, and my professional background has been rooted in social work and therapy. Because of that, I often questioned whether I was “allowed” to fully step into the creative space.
It took time for me to realize that my work in mental health wasn’t separate from my work as a photographer, it was actually the foundation of it. The way I connect with people, create safe environments, and notice the in-between moments all come directly from my experience as a therapist. Once I began to see that, it shifted everything for me.
Another challenge has been learning how to hold multiple roles at once. I’ve spent years navigating life as a single mom, building a career in social work, and slowly growing a photography business on the side. Even now, I’m balancing being a full-time therapist, a business owner, a mentor, and a mom. There have been seasons where it felt overwhelming, and where I questioned if I could really do all of it well.
What has helped me move through those challenges is understanding that I’m not meant to fit into just one box. I’m allowed to be both analytical and creative, structured and expressive. The more I’ve embraced that, the more aligned my work has become.
I think the biggest growth for me has been shifting from asking, “Am I enough to do this?” to trusting that the way I see people and tell their stories is exactly what makes my work meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer and licensed therapist, and my work lives at the intersection of storytelling and connection. I specialize in capturing people in a way that feels honest, emotional, and true to who they are.
What I’m known for is creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves. Many of my clients come in feeling unsure in front of the camera, and leave with images that feel natural, connected, and real. I focus less on perfect posing and more on presence and genuine moments.
What sets me apart is my ability to read people and create emotional safety. My background in social work deeply shapes how I approach every session, allowing me to guide people into moments that feel authentic rather than forced.
I’m also building a creative studio called The Story Room, designed to be a space for expression, creativity, and meaningful storytelling.
What I’m most proud of is the impact behind my work, especially being able to use photography within the school I work at to give students access to senior photos and creative experiences they might not otherwise have.
At the core of everything I do is the belief that your story matters, and I want people to feel that when they step in front of my camera.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about West Michigan is how rich it is in culture, community, and creativity. Events like ArtPrize really highlight how much art is valued here, and I’ve had the opportunity to watch so many people build and share their work in meaningful ways. I’ve also been incredibly grateful for the relationships I’ve built. There’s a strong network of small business owners who genuinely support and encourage one another.
If I’m being honest, one of the challenges I’ve noticed is that there isn’t always as much diversity or representation within creative spaces as there could be. Through different groups and experiences, I’ve become more aware of how important it is for people to see themselves reflected and to feel like they truly belong.
That’s something I’m really intentional about in my own work. I want people from all backgrounds to feel comfortable being photographed by me and to feel fully welcome in The Story Room. Creating a space where people feel seen, included, and valued is incredibly important to me.
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions begin at $375 and include a guided, experience-led session with a curated gallery of edited images
- Wedding collections range from $2,800–$4,800 depending on coverage and experience
- Studio rentals at The Story Room begin at $75/hour on weekdays and $85/hour on weekends
- Mentorships and creative workshops are offered throughout the year for photographers and creatives
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweredphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowered_photo?igsh=MXRweGc0a2cwbHJ2dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cvws4RE5n/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thestory.room?igsh=MTh2dTh6OWZudjA2bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
