Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Groos.
Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I discovered photography in high school, where I learned on a 35mm film camera and developed black-and-white film in the darkroom. Starting with film taught me to slow down, be intentional with every frame, and really understand light, composition, and exposure before pressing the shutter.
When I graduated high school, I got my first DSLR and officially started taking clients in 2011. What began with families and senior portraits has grown to include photographing engagements, branding sessions, and headshots over the past 15 years.
Photography has evolved a lot since I started, but what I love most has stayed the same. I love getting to know people, helping them feel comfortable in front of the camera, and capturing authentic moments that they’ll look back on for years. Whether it’s an engagement or a family session, my goal is always to create timeless images while making the experience feel relaxed and enjoyable.
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?
Definitely not. Like most photographers, there have been seasons where bookings were slow or where I questioned whether I was good enough. Learning to run a business while continuing to grow creatively has been one of the biggest challenges.
Photography has changed so much since I started in 2011. Keeping up with new technology, evolving styles, and changing client expectations has meant constantly learning and adapting. There have also been difficult moments, whether it’s shooting in unpredictable weather, handling unexpected challenges on an event day, or balancing the pressure of capturing moments that can’t be recreated.
I think one of the biggest struggles has been learning not to compare myself to other photographers. With social media, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is further ahead or doing something better. Over time, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is focus on serving my clients well and continuing to develop my own style instead of chasing trends.
But those experiences have made me a better photographer. They’ve taught me to stay calm under pressure, think creatively, and be prepared for the unexpected. Looking back, I’m grateful for those challenges because they’ve helped shape both my work and the experience I provide for my clients today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in natural light sessions for families, seniors, branding, and portrait photography. No matter the session, my goal is always the same: to create timeless, genuine images that reflect who people really are.
I think what I’m most known for is helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera. Most of my clients tell me they’re awkward or nervous before a session, and I love watching that fade away as we laugh, talk, and simply enjoy the experience together. Some of my favorite photos are the ones that happen naturally between the poses.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Whether it’s documenting an event, welcoming a new baby, or photographing a family year after year, it’s an honor to be invited into those milestones. Many of my clients come back to me as their lives grow and change, and that means more to me than anything.
I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the people I’m photographing. Beautiful images are important, but I also want my clients to leave feeling seen, confident, and like they actually enjoyed having their pictures taken. My job isn’t just to deliver a gallery…it’s to create an experience and preserve memories they’ll treasure for years to come.
I want someone to look back at their gallery in 20 years and love it just as much as they do today. That’s why I’ve always been drawn to timeless images over heavily edited trends.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating something meaningful for the people I photograph. At the end of the day, photos become some of the few tangible things we have to remember the people, seasons, and moments that matter most.
It’s easy to think of photography as just taking pictures, but I see it as preserving memories. Years from now, I want my clients to be able to look back at their engagement, see their children when they were little, or remember a loved one exactly as they were in that season of life.
That’s why I care so much about creating genuine moments instead of forcing perfect ones. My hope is that when someone looks through their gallery, they don’t just see what the day looked like, they remember how it felt. If I can give someone that, then I’ve done my job.
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