Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Plewniak.
Hi Lily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my photography business when I was 17, during my first semester of college at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I’ve always loved art and people—and photography became this beautiful way to connect the two. I’ve always seen the world through an artistic lens, and I realized that taking photos helped me not only express myself but also celebrate others in the most genuine way.
At the time, I was just looking for a creative hobby that could also help me earn a little extra money on the side. I took all my savings and bought my first professional camera, deciding to just give it a shot. I put up a post on Facebook offering super cheap photoshoots—kind of a “pay what you want” deal—and started working with families and seniors. That season taught me so much. I was learning on the go, but slowly, a style started to emerge.
I found myself drawn to documentary-style, cinematic photography. I loved capturing people as they are—joyful, honest, and human. I’m naturally an observer, and I think that plays into how I work. I don’t force moments—I look for the real ones.
Since then, my business has grown more than I ever imagined. Now at 19, I’m a full-time, traveling photographer based in Knoxville. I shoot everything from weddings to concerts to senior portraits, branding sessions, lifestyle work, and beyond. I still carry that same heart into every shoot: to create images that feel alive, and to help people feel seen through my art
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, but I really believe every small step has led me exactly where I needed to go. It’s been such a clear picture of Jesus opening doors and providing opportunities I couldn’t have made happen on my own.
When I first started photography, I truly had no idea what I was doing—but people still trusted me. They gave me a chance to learn, and I’ll never take that for granted. I started building a client base through word of mouth—friends told their friends, who told their friends, and suddenly I was getting inquiries from people across the country. That kind of organic growth has been one of the sweetest surprises.
Of course, there have been challenges too. I had to learn how to actually run a business—everything from communicating with clients, managing timelines, improving client experience, to figuring out social media and marketing. It can be overwhelming at times because it’s a job that can be difficult to “turn off” because everything work related can be reached on my phone. But honestly, I’m thankful for the slow, steady growth. Each step has taught me exactly what I needed to know for the next one.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I love Jesus, people, and art. Photography is the outlet I use to express those loves. I specialize in candid, documentary-style, cinematic photography—images that feel like real life but a little more dreamlike. My work often centers around movement, color, and joy, and I try to capture people as they truly are, not just how they look.
I’ve always had a deep admiration for creation. I’m a Christian, and the greatest joy of my life is seeing the beauty of the created world and knowing it was made with such purpose and intentionality by God. I believe I was put on this Earth to reflect my Creator—to make things that couldn’t be captured otherwise, and to show people their own beauty through the lens of someone who sees them with care.
What sets me apart is how much I genuinely love the people I work with. I don’t just show up with a camera—I’m there to celebrate you, to learn about you, and to draw out something real. I rarely pose people. Instead, I prompt, ask questions, and invite emotion, so that the photos don’t feel staged—they feel alive.
I’m most proud of being able to pursue something bold and different at such a young age. I’m 19, and I’ve built a creative business rooted in who I am and what I believe
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that what I do is not who I am. Photography flows out of who I am as a person, but it doesn’t define me. In a creative field where so much of your work depends on your ability to be present and inspired, it’s essential to stay grounded in real life outside of your job.
I’ve learned how important it is to stay connected to community—to spend time in nature, to serve, to be with people, and to pursue art just for fun. Those things fuel me creatively far more than constantly working ever could.
Another lesson that’s stuck with me is the value of slowing down. Taking the time to talk with people, listen to them, and not rush through moments—that extra mile makes all the difference, both in photography and in life.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $3,000
- Portrait sessions start at $400
- Senior grad sessions start at $500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbylilyplew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lily-Plewniak/61559967997125/#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-plewniak-989626284
