It's always impressive when you can turn a hobby into your full time career!

Photography is tough business - a lot of pressure sometimes and people who want things for free. Did fashion and event work for 10 years , got burnt out and left. Good for her - she has a good business acumen, extroverted communication skills and her photos also look good.

As an Asian kid myself, when she said that she had been pursuing photography since her 13, I had a hunch that she was not brought up by Asian parents. I hate that I was right...

Thank you for sharing your photography journey and process, Grace! We're proud to have you as part of #TeamCanon!

Not to discredit Grace's photography skills, but she is successful at 23 as a photographer because of her soft skills -- aka her people skills (which is arguably the most important part of photography!) . She's clearly very articulate, bright, and extroverted. As someone who also did photography as a side hustle (I'm a designer) and went to school with photography students, and know so many friends in L.A. who tried to do photography, it is NOT an easy business to get into successfully. Most people I know take 5-10yrs before seeing her kind of cashflow. As an introvert myself, I see a lot of introverted friends go into this hobby thinking they can make a living out of it, but don't realize that in order to really be successful, you have to have major people skills. And this isn't to discourage anyone of course. I'm just keeping it real. When I do it as a side hustle, I have to talk to people constantly, make them feel comfortable, and also guide them to posing and getting the shots. I love everything about cameras and photography, and like Grace, I was in love with it from a very young age (12 or 13), but man, kudos to people who do wedding photography and engagement photos, etc. I just stick to street photography and doing it as a hobby now, because I honestly can't stand how extroverted you have to pretend to be to do the job. Side note: If you are introverted but still want to make money off of it, you should be an assistant! I did some assistant photography for a main photographer, and although it doesn't pay a lot, it's a legit side hustle. You're essentially there to get backup shots or b-roll footage. There's also some photographers who outsource photo editing.

Was a wedding photographer as well, but recently sold my company to my business partner. Averaged about $6000 per couple at about 35-40 bookings per year within the first 4 years of the business....which isn't bad since our wedding season here is only about 6 months long due to weather. But one thing that I found is more important than the 6 figures revenue is the time and mental well-being. 35-40 weddings condensed within a 6-month period is extremely tough on social relationships, and I got really burnt out. It'll become just another routine "job" and especially in photography as an art, it will end up showing in your work. Congrats to her, and hopefully she can stay positive and passionate about her career!

My old neighbor was a full time photographer she made 80k a year, I always admired her she was living the dream. ❤️

Very very inspiring and realistic unlike some of those other similar videos. I truly found this motivating to follow my true passion. What a lovely young woman with such a mature mindset, even from when she was a child. You go Grace!

I love this. Seeing an artist make great cash. It's so easy to get caught up in marketing media messages which say make millions and have time freedom by doing something that's not what we love

I really enjoy photography, the cameras, the shooting. But to do weddings is a leap beyond anything. This woman is amazing, this takes talent, patience, skill, and motivation to shoot those. She deserves everything she earns.

Just like me except I'm doing real estate photography. At 19 I started getting serious and at 21 decided to make it my full time job. it is difficult but it's sooo worth it. The grind for more clients and bigger jobs will never stop

CNBC it doesn’t take much to share her socials in the description guys!!

She has such a great mindset and was very responsible and strategic about the transition into entrepreneurship. Very inspiring.

We're in the first 6 months right now for our photography business, commercial though! It's always inspiring to see others have managed it before us 😊

Dreamville, dream living, on the beautiful coast! This is possible for all of us!!! Grace is paving the way, I am so so inspired from this! Thanks for the share CNBC. Grace is living proof that business is a reflection of oneself. Now that she has mastered the process/systems, she can enjoy some time of enjoying time at the beach. Who wouldn't want this type of life balance?

*Don’t just save all your money in the bank as they tax you so much keeping it. It’s better to invest your money for future expenses. Everyone needs to create a passive income stream to stay debt free and live comfortably*

Wow. She is beyond inspiring. So hard working, focused and courageous. One of the best stories I've seen here. And they are all so good!

Excellent story of success. I just started back into photography as a hobby, so I can teach my son the same hobby.. Already have a business so we will never make this a career, but really happy for Grace turning this into something successful.

It's inspiring to see someone take a hobby and turn it into their life's work!

Grace, may your photography business continue to flourish. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story.

Love this story! I wish I had started taking it seriously earlier too. Just started my wedding photography business here in Berlin last year

This was so encouraging! Thank you, Grace

Love stories like this, driven, courageous, execution. Amazing women! 💪

I was lucky enough to take music lessons when I was young and that turned into my teenage side hustle! I am still teaching lessons and absolutely love it!

Inspiring story. I like her choice of balance and prioritizing herself and family.

I love, love this story! I relate to this on such a personal level. I started my photography business in college at 19 and went full time in April of last year.

4k per wedding. 45 weddings per year. US averages 1+ million marriages per year, declining, post-covid wedding boom will cool off but still, if she decides to travel around for gigs, she can make enough to retire and let interest do the work while she pivots to something else. Given the churn rate of US marriages, she's gonna be in business for a while lol

Loved it! Thank you honey. I just ordered a Nikon d7000 and 80-200 f2.8. Nikon. I’ve been in and out of photography since 1975. Love capturing time in a photo. Keep up the good work. Love how you understand the business part is as important or more than the actual taking photos part. Lucky husband you guys make me proud 🥲

Photography of people will never die...

MAJOR props to Grace👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I am happy KZfaq has suggested this video for me , grace just gained a follower right now

This is so inspiring, well done!

As a 14 (almost 15) year old who is really getting into photography, you're my inspiration. may your business continue to be successful!

Very inspiring story, thanks Grace for sharing your journey with us....

I am a videographer trying to make it in the freelance videography and eventually photography business. It is really hard, but once you build a good portfolio and relationship with others, good things will come your way. I love watching this video!

Love stories like these, keep hustling!!

this is so inspiring thank you for sharing Grace!

The right gift for a children is a key to unlock their passion.

This is what I want to do ! To have my own schedule and pursue something that makes me happy and others

To do what you love for your career is a an amazing thing

I knew immediately when she said that her family took a RV trip cross country when she was a kid that either one parent was white or she was adopted. Asian parents too busy hustling and cant afford that luxury. Also Indian/parents push you to more STEM fields.

Amazing! Congratulations Grace! 🤗🤗🤗

Glad to see the comments are somewhat realistic and not just eating up sensational stories

This was so great to watch! She speaks like she’s been doing this for decades. I am much older than she is, and I hope to be half as good one day. I am currently struggling to even find people that even want FREE portraits to build my portfolio 😅 Wish her nothing but great things!

When I was a kid they were called photographers, now we call them entrepreneurs. I think it helps as Florida is a wedding destination.

I admire this woman OMG 🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️

What an impressive young lady! I learned a lot from her story. Thank you for sharing!

Awesome Job Grace! Very inspiring!

Honestly it's not even her turning photography into a business that's most impressive it's her work ethic

There are many business ideas, but the start is the most difficult part of a business

Love this! Congrats girl!

I love this story!!!!! Awwwwwww! Im starting my own photography business! This story is amazing to learn from!

Love this series!

Lucky to live in US to charge such amounts (top from the very top photographers in Czech is 1100 USD per day). Well done and keep shining!!

What a well thought through video, showing the ups and downs and what it takes to create a business.

The problem with shooting events is that most events happen on weekends. You spend weekends celebrating with strangers and you don't have time to celebrate with family. Even when you do spend a weekend with family, you always have in the back of your mind the possible thousands of dollars you gave up to be with family.

So inspirational. My studio will be opened soon!

Photo & video work is really hard to make a living in. Shoutout to her for figuring out her lane...it can be a brutal grind for 9/10 people trying to make it

Congratulations to her, she's a champion

Very inspirational! Congratulations 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Great story! Good skill development over time. Goes to show that even if your main job is soul-sucking, having passions on the side balance out life's necessities.

This is inspiring. I'm a photographer in Miami and I'm looking for more motivation to keep going and this did it! Thanks Grace!

Thanks Grace. Nice story. I love photography

Grace’s story really inspired me💯🫡

Love what you do and life comes to you

I feel like she should be making more... She's killing it!

This is super inspirational!

She used to bully me in highschool! So glad she’s doing well though.

I really enjoyed this. I like how her narrative wasn't to jump and she's very self-aware being so young.

Love seeing other boss babes charging their worth! I'm a boudoir photographer in Maryland and my goal is to hit 300k this year! Can't wait to see you hit that mark too!

I had a high-paying job when I started my photography as a hobby from SLR film to DSLR and maybe this is one reason why I didn't go into the business side of it. Then, my only thought in mind was to follow the growth of my kids in stills and now my grandkids. I guess I didn't have that business acumen in me that I practically gave my photography services for free to my friends who were in need of a photographer for weddings, kids baptism, birthdays and other special occasions.

I hate when people are saying how much they earn. It is not all about the money. It also about the heart. From these 177K there is a huge deduction to run a business (Studio or workspace, gear, multiple cameras, computers, car, insurances) and then there is not so much left of 177k. So the number is kind of an illusion.

She is so articulate.

Wow. Such an encouragement. 🙌

This is so inspiring I have always wanted to be able to work on my own

I love this and I love photography

Your potential is nice, keep it bro.❤

Wow man.. 4000 for a wedding... US is truly another world. In Europe, if you manage a 1000 to 2000 you can be proud of yourself 😅 Beyond that you're a star!!

what an inspirational story!

Love women growing and doing what they love!

So inspiring ❤️

That is so interesting to hear she outsources her editing, that is such a major part of being a photographer but is what ultimately made me burn out.

This video is everything 👏🏽 Glad to see others succeed and Grace making it!!

I am very inspired by this

Gosh, I miss these early years. If you're just starting out - cherish this excitement about possibility and creation, don't lose that. After years of the grind it can slip away if you're not careful 🫤

this is awesome, good for her

Wow, this so inspiring.

Absolutely Amazing 👏 😍 ❤ Thanks for sharing 👍 😀 😊 Photography is my passion to and I'm learning about it and your story though me a lot. I usually take photos of Nature, food, landscapes and others. Best of luck in your Photography business!

such an inspiration.

That's great! Making a living doing what she loves to do!!!

4k wedding omg. good for her following her passion.

You need hustle to make any business profitable. Good for her for turning her passion into $$$ 👏👏👏

This goes to show that hard work brings you places if you take it seriously!

Ugh. I’m struggling so hard right now! I’ve been a photographer for almost a year (I’ve been taking pictures longer but just started a business last year). I only have several sessions booked for the rest of the year, but I started off with sessions every weekend!!! Hoping this is just a slow month 😅

Get it girl! 💯💯💯

Wow I love the passion for the goal

inspiring thank you !

Wow this was super inspiring

That's inspirational! Congrats! I love photography and wouldn't mind making money with it.

my goal for this year make some money of photography. I have being taking photos for 10 years now, seeing other photographers making it full time career, it give me motivation to keep taking photos and some day I will make it my full time career.