Meet Aaron Aldhizer | Photographer

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

Hi Aaron, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
This is honestly probably off brand for me. I’m a very details oriented person (I even plan out the timeline for my couples if they don’t have a planner), but….

Quite honestly, if you asked my parents, as a child I told them I would never run my own business. Wasn’t interested in it. It was too much work, wouldn’t be good at the non-creative side of things, yada, yada.

My mother has always known me so well. She knew years before I did, that I would have my own business. Which is ironic now that I do indeed have my own business.

I’ve always had a passion for photography. From a very young age, whether it was going throwing old family photos at my childhood home, to seeing photos at my grandmother’s house to playing with disposable (yes disposable!) cameras as a kid, to finally taking photography classes in high school. It’s almost always been a part of my life. It feels like home. It’s what brings me passion and joy! It just doesn’t get old.

As a naturally extroverted introvert, I never fathomed that I would be a wedding photographer, but I’ve actually come to love genuinely getting to know my couples, their families and being more than just a “photographer” to them. My job is to candidly, genuinely capture them, their loved ones and their special day. But the friendships and connections I form with them makes all the hardwork so worthwhile.

So when you ask, what was the thought process behind starting my own business, honestly there wasn’t one (usually I plan everything out). It just organically happened. Jobs, experience and life events led me to it. And it just made sense to start my own business and pursue what I love to do!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe there are a few things that set me apart from others. One thing being how much time I actually have invested in each wedding that we capture. I do not just “show up and shoot” a wedding. With every single one of my couples I’m with them from start to finish. I’m having consult meetings, calls, exchanging emails/texts, getting to know more about what they actually value – even outside of photography, I speak with their family and or friends, I tour their venue/s – especially in different weather conditions if it makes sense to, the list goes on. I on average spend between 70-100 hours per wedding when all said and done. It’s what allows me to get to truly know my couples and how to best capture them.

Why do I do this? Because I truly care and want their day to be one that they remember for all the right reasons! I believe this adds value to their experience. And one of the other things that I believe sets me apart is honestly pretty simple. I treat my couples like family. Maybe it’s because I’m an old soul. Maybe it’s how I was raised. But I treat my couples how I would want to be treated if I was in their shoes. From start to finish I try to make the experience one they will not forget and that they will enjoy every step of the way! More often then not my couples leave reviews or say after their wedding day that it feels like working with me was/is like catching up with an old friend. I strive to make their experience more than just smiling at a camera. And I believe that’s been key in my success. Treating them how I’d want to be treated.

How I got to where I am today professionally has not been easy. Not even slightly. But it’s absolutely been worth it. I believe it comes down to several things. A good support circle, the passion/desire to want to add value to other’s lifes, a growth mindset and never stop learning/growing!

The single most important decision I’ve made that has contributed to my success is constantly continuing my education/skillset, and doing so diversely! Never learning from just one person about everything, but rather many individuals that are extremely smart/well rounded about hyper specific things.

I’m huge on growth mindset. I do not like staying/being stagnant. I strive to be at least 1% better than I was yesterday, in both my personal and business life.

And in my business life continuing my education (diversely) has been incalculably important/key to my success. Not sure how to be a better business owner? Find someone who is and learn from them! Unsure how to add more value to your experience and your clients? Find someone who does and learn from them! The list goes on.

To me, continuing my education has been priceless. Worth every penny I’ve spent to go to conferences, take seminars, work with mentors, etc.

It wasn’t easy, but through a good support circle, the passion to want to do something that adds to peoples lifes and hardhead (refusing to give up and putting in the hardworking, time and effort that is required.)

The lessons I’ve learned along the way have been immeasureable but I feel they are best summarized by the following quotes.
– “Be the person you already know you can be.”
– “Eliminate the word can’t from your vocabulary.”
– “Giving up never accomplishes anything.”
– “Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
– “You can not beat a river into submission. You have to surrender it’s it’s current and use it’s power as your own.”
– “If you really want something. You’ll find the time.”
– “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So we’re going to keep the “area” part pretty broad! People that say there is “nothing to do in Ohio” must not be looking! Because there is SO MUCH to do! If I have a best friend visiting me and I’m showing them the best time ever in Ohio, I’m taking them EVERYWHERE!

We’d start off on a Friday by checking out the absolutely stunning Franklin Park Conservatory and all things green that they have to offer! We’d grab some dinner at The Pearl just a short drive away. On Saturday we would HAVE to catch an Ohio State football game at Ohio Stadium! Leaving us just enough time to check out the German Village that evening and finishing off the day by grabbing some food at Brassica. 

First thing on Sunday morning we’d make our way down to Hocking Hills for a little camping. Staying there a full two days, exploring the waterfalls, hiking the trails and taking in the scenery!

We’d head North first thing Tuesday morning, making our way to Canton where we’d check out the Football Hall of Fame for the day!

On Thursday, we’d head north again stopping at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for some breathtaking views and scenery on some morning and midday hikes! Seriously the only thing that rivals it in Ohio is Hocking Hills. 

And we’d hit the water to kayak Lake Erie in Cleveland taking the sunset from the water. Once the sun sets, we’d wrap up the trip by grabbing some delicious Italian food at Trattoria Roman Gardens in Little Italy!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Stemming from the “What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?” question

I would have to say that the most important factor behind my success is that it boils down to two factors.
 One of those being A good support circle/person. When you’re a creative or are in the creative field, it’s only natural to compare yourself to others, to get in your own head about something and to even suffer from imposter syndrome from time to time.

Having people and loved ones that truly, wholehearted, unconditionally believe in me and what I do has been imperative throughout the years.

I mentioned earlier that my mom has known me so well throughout my whole life. Ever since grade school she’s said I would be a creative of some sort and I would be a business owner. Sure enough she was right on both accounts. She’s often known what I’d end up doing before I’d do it.

Having her as well as my entire family, people such as my dad and my sister, that have always believed in me and supported me like that has been immeasurable.

Having their support, love and guidance has helped lead me to where I am today. I am eternally grateful for them all, what they’ve said to me, what they done for me. I could not have got to where I am and accomplished what I have without them!

Website: https://aaronaldhizerphotography.com

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

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/aaron-aldhizer-photography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronaldhizerphoto/

Image Credits
All photos (Except for my portrait) were taken by myself – Aaron Aldhizer Photography.

My portrait was taken by Ryan Bassett of Ryan Bassett Photo