Meet Caitlin Ross | Memphis TN Family, Newborn, and Heirloom Portrait Photographer

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

Hi Caitlin, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Balancing work and life became a significant challenge for me when I started my own family. Just thinking about the busy months ahead in both my photography business and my day job makes me a bit anxious because I know I won’t be able to show up for my family and friends in the way I usually do every single day. As a perfectionist, it’s been difficult to accept that I don’t believe in a perfect balance between work, life, and family obligations. Some days, work takes up 70% of your time; other days, family needs 90%. With my busiest season approaching, I’m focusing on strategies that aim for equilibrium, knowing that while it might not be fully achieved, I can do my best to offset the difference so that neither my work nor my family suffers.
I’ve started practicing strategies that have been helpful in creating a more balanced life—such as prioritizing being present in whatever I’m doing. This means focusing on work during work hours and being a mom, and nothing else, when I’m with my kids. I’ve learned to say no when necessary, prioritize quality sleep, and outsource energy-draining tasks—whether it’s grocery delivery, hiring seasonal help for home or work tasks, or even just getting a babysitter for a few hours a week to catch up on things that didn’t get done. Health and being present with my family are non-negotiables, so even during the busiest seasons, I will take an entire weekend or two off to unplug, do no work, and be fully present with my kids. While I may not always get it right, these strategies help me avoid burnout and stay grounded.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is about capturing the true essence of a child, the beauty of a newborn baby, and the bond between a family. I focus on creating genuine connections, making sure my work is authentic and captures the real soul of each individual and their family. What sets me apart is my laid-back approach—I don’t follow rigid rules or force smiles. Instead, I engage with the families I work with. We play, we laugh, and I guide them through gentle posing prompts that naturally create real connections. I spend a lot of time preparing for each session, tailoring my approach based on that family’s unique dynamic and the details they share in the pre-session questionnaire.

The “secret sauce” of my brand is that I don’t have behavior expectations and I tend to break the “photography” rules if it means capturing authentic joy and connection. For example, I’m fine with cutting off the top of a head or an arm is flailing out of the frame if it means capturing a child who needs to move and play to capture their true joyful nature. . I’m not interested in photographing a perfectly posed, staged family. I want my photography to be a true reflection of who your family is. I have zero expectations for the kids I work with—I let them be themselves, and most of the time, we’re just playing and laughing. Authenticity, love, joy, and connection are the words that best describe my work. I want families to look back and feel the love and magic in those fleeting moments.

Starting my business just a year and a half ago has been a lot of hard work, long hours, and dedication. I’m in the trenches every day—balancing the growth of my business, managing all the back-office tasks, shooting, editing, and running my day job as the director of operations at a financial advising firm. All while being a wife and mom to two beautiful, busy kids. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is standing out in a saturated market, but honestly, the hardest part has been putting my art out there and being vulnerable to rejection or judgment. I’ve always struggled with feeling like I’m not good enough, so taking this leap into a creative business and facing that fear is something I’m really proud of.

What I want the world to know is that my work isn’t about creating a perfect image—it’s about telling your story. It’s about bottling up the unique and profound love you have for your people. It’s about capturing the everyday miracle of life: the beauty in the chaos, the calm in the storm, the true soul of what makes you, you. When my clients look at their photos, I want them to feel their memories and relive those moments—not just see a pretty image. That’s what drives me. I think I do a great job of helping families feel at ease, letting them know they just need to show up and be themselves. No pressure, just authenticity—and I think that’s really refreshing, especially for families with younger children.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a lifelong Memphian, I have a deep appreciation for all that the city has to offer, catering to a wide range of interests. Personally, I love staying active, running outdoors, and spending time in nature. For visitors, I would recommend exploring Shelby Farms Park and the Memphis Botanic Garden—both perfect spots to enjoy the outdoors. For dining, Hog & Hominy is a must-visit. For a unique experience, I’d suggest heading to the Pyramid for bowling, food, drinks, and watching the sunset from the top. Another great option is a bike ride along Big River Crossing or a visit to the Memphis Zoo. The city is full of incredible places to explore, but these are some of my family’s personal favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout definitely goes to my husband, Zach. He has been supportive and encouraging since the inception of the idea of starting a photography business. As a mom with a full-time day job, starting my own business has affected his free time and required him to pick up more family and home responsibilities that I normally would take on. Zach has stepped up by taking on extra responsibilities at home without a single complaint. Whether it’s going on location scouting trips with me and the kids or assisting with shoots when I need help, he’s always been there. He believes in me and encourages and supports me. I’m so grateful to have a partner who not only supports my dreams but also views our marriage as a true partnership and equal team.

My mom also deserves a huge shoutout for being a big part of my photography journey. She was the one who encouraged me to buy my first professional camera, believing it would open doors and reveal a gift I hadn’t even recognized in myself. At first, I thought she was a bit crazy, but I eventually decided to go for it. I figured if nothing else, it would allow me to capture high-quality photos of my kids. So, I made the purchase, enrolled in my first professional photography course, and never looked back. She has always been my biggest cheerleader, and I am so grateful she was able to see something in me that I couldn’t see myself and that she pushed me in the right direction.

Lastly, I want to give a shoutout to the incredible community of photographers I’ve been lucky enough to connect with—specifically, Elena S. Blair’s mastermind community. I completed Elena’s mastermind program this past year, and it has been a game-changer. Her community is filled with some of the most talented photographers, and they’ve encouraged me, critiqued my work, and taught me so much about both the creative and business sides of photography. Without Elena and her community’s mentorship, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://www.caitlinrossphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinrossphotography/