James Wolf shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning James, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
I actually love this question! It hits close to home because I wasn’t always someone who took their time.
Growing up, I was pretty impulsive. My imagination ran wild, and I had this bold (and kind of clueless) confidence when it came to trying new things. My family had a few go-to phrases they’d say to me consistently. Like, pretty much every day.
The first one was, “Fun to think about, not to do.” That usually came up when I’d pitch ideas like, “Mom, can I jump off the garage roof onto the trampoline and into the pool?” My ideas were entertaining, but I definitely needed help being brought back to reality.
The second phrase was, “Think before you speak.” That one stuck. I was the kind of kid who interrupted a lot, had a lot to say, and always wanted to be the center of attention. I was a bit of a diva, if I’m honest. But that reminder taught me patience and gave me space to think before I respond. Something I still carry with me.
And the last one: “If you’re going to do something, do that something well.” That usually applied to chores and homework, especially when I did them with a bad attitude. I have this vivid memory of sweeping the kitchen half-heartedly, only to be told to do it all over again because of my poor execution. That moment really solidified the idea that cutting corners just makes things take longer and that effort up front saves time in the end and will always be within my best interest at heart.
All of those little lessons shaped the way I approach things now. Over time, I’ve learned that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. It often means doing things with more intention and care. These days, I try to be intentional and efficient in everything I do. Whether it’s something small like chores or something big like a project or wedding.
Acting fast has its place, of course, but I’ve found that for me, slowing down has led to better outcomes. I’m definitely grateful and glad I no longer move through life on impulsive, but with intention.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’d absolutely love to!
Hi, I’m James Wolf, a Nashville-based travel wedding photographer. I like to describe my style as cinematic-inspired, semi-documentary, and organic at heart. My goal is simple. I want to help make one of the best days of your life feel as unforgettable as it truly is.
Of course, I am there to capture the moments, but I am also there to support you. From the early stages of planning to the final moments of your wedding day, I show up not just as your photographer but as someone in your corner the whole way through. A source of comfort, encouragement, and direction.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to stories about love and connection. I think that passion is what naturally led me to a career focused on real people and real love stories. Every couple is different, and every wedding holds something unique. That is what keeps me inspired and what makes this work so meaningful to me.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
My life has a lot of lore. I feel like I’ve lived several different lives and versions of myself in just 26 years. Before I became a full-time destination wedding photographer, I actually moved to Nashville to pursue pastorship at a Bible school. That period brought a lot of personal growth, and after a year, I shifted into a full-time role in the coffee industry. Not long after, I found myself stepping into what I do now, building my own photography business and creating art out of love stories.
Before leaving the pastorship program, I heard a message that has stuck with me ever since. It centered around the idea of offense, and one phrase in particular changed the way I see the world:
“Offense is something that is taken, not given.”
That perspective completely shifted the way I respond to people and situations. Realizing that I have control over whether I take offense has helped me avoid unnecessary conflict and stay grounded. Now, of course that doesn’t mean people always act kindly, and it definitely doesn’t excuse their harmful behavior. But it does mean that I can protect my peace and choose how I respond.
That one phrase continues to shape how I navigate through the world, in my personal life and in my work.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of disappointing people has had a chokehold on me for as long as I can remember. It shaped how I moved through the world, especially growing up. I’ve always been a melting pot of traits and characteristics that made me feel different, and while those are qualities I’m proud of now, they used to be the things I tried to hide.
I’ve always had a deep desire to feel loved and accepted. I was homeschooled all the way through high school, adopted as an infant, one of the only Asians in my small midwestern town, an extrovert in a mostly introverted family, and the only gay kid in my family. I was closeted through my late teens, and I remember lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling, running through the mental rolodex of all the things that set me apart from everyone else.
On top of that, I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed. I’m the youngest of six kids, with three older sisters who all went to college and graduated with high honors. I felt a responsibility to follow that path and make my parents proud, especially as the only boy in my family who would attend college.
Growing up in a devout Catholic household added another layer. It pushed me even deeper into myself, afraid to ask questions or explore who I really was. I didn’t feel like I had permission to even begin understanding my own identity, let alone express it.
It wasn’t until my early twenties that I started to shift paths. I began to ask myself who I wanted to be, not just who I thought I had to be in order to make everyone else happy or proud. I slowly gave myself the space to grow, to explore, and to be honest with myself.
Now, I don’t think the fear of disappointing others is always unhealthy. At its best, it comes from a place of love. But without boundaries or self-awareness, it can become consuming. It can keep you small.
I’m thankful that I have learned how to build a healthier relationship with expectations, both from others and myself. I still wrestle with it, but now I recognize the patterns and know how to work through them. That has changed me in ways I will always be grateful for.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that community and connection matter most to me. I’ve always adored making friends, and I’ve been told it comes pretty naturally. I think that deep love for people is one of the reasons I was drawn to pastorship schooling in the first place. I wanted to be someone others could turn to, someone who shows up when people need support.
I love encouraging people, making them feel seen and valued, and finding ways to create real connection. I think it’s amazing that every person we cross paths with has their own story, their own history, and their own version of what it means to live fully. That shared human experience is something I find really fascinating and beautiful. I believe seeking to understand other people and learn what life looks like through their eyes is such an important quality to authentic human connection.
Because I was homeschooled, I didn’t have a large circle of friends until later in high school. I think that actually helped shape the way I value relationships now. It gave me a deep appreciation for friendship and community, and it taught me not to take those connections for granted.
I am endlessly grateful for my friends. They say friends are the family you choose, and that is something I deeply resonate with and live out in my own life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what may be most misunderstood about my legacy is my decision to step away from organized religion and the Church.
It would be easy for people to assume that choice gravitated around my sexuality or that it came down to me wanting to live life on different terms. But my decision was not that simple or reactive. I did not even start dating or have my first kiss until I was twenty-three, and that came after I had already stepped away from pastorship school and the church community I had once been so involved in.
Yes, my identity absolutely plays a role in my story. How could it not? But the real reason I chose to leave had more to do with what I experienced throughout my years in the Church and its many denominations I was involved with. I spent a lot of time serving and leading in those spaces. I helped lead worship, guided youth groups, and counseled at summer camps. For a long time, it was where I felt most connected to people, which has always mattered deeply to me.
But over time, the love I had for what I was doing began to feel at odds with the things I saw and experienced behind the scenes. There were moments that left me disheartened, moments that made me question if I could stay true to myself and still belong there. It was not a dramatic or angry exit. It was slow, quiet, and heavy. But it was honest and needed.
What I hope people understand is that stepping away from something does not always mean walking away from its value. I still care about faith. I still believe in love and grace and community. I still believe in asking big questions and listening closely for answers. I just no longer believe that everyone’s spiritual path has to look the same.
We are all carrying our own mix of beliefs, doubts, experiences, and hopes. Faith can be a deeply personal journey. So can growth. And sometimes, choosing to step into something new means releasing what no longer fits, even if others do not fully understand why.
If nothing else, I hope my story encourages others to look inward with honesty and gentleness. I hope it reminds people that it is okay to grow beyond who you once were. It is okay to ask questions. It is okay to seek peace over approval. And most of all, it is okay to choose a path that feels true, even if it leads you somewhere unexpected.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jameswolfphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameswolfphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameswolfphotography
Image Credits
James Wolf Photography LLC
