Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Cacho.
Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a really creative environment where music and church life were a big part of my world. A lot of my early years were spent in spaces that valued expression, storytelling, and helping people step into who they’re created to be. I spent time teaching and mentoring students in voice and songwriting, and that season really shaped how I see people. I learned how to recognize potential and draw something out of someone that they might not fully see in themselves yet.
Photography started as something that ran alongside that, almost as an extension of it. I picked up a camera and realized I could do the same thing visually. Over time, it grew from a creative outlet into a business that I’ve now been running for several years, specializing in weddings and brand photography.
As my business developed, I started to notice that people needed more than just photos. They needed direction, strategy, and someone who could help them visually communicate who they are in a way that actually feels like them. That led to expanding into branding, content creation, and creative direction through our agency, Arisa Haus, which I run alongside my husband.
At the same time, I stepped into motherhood, which reshaped everything for me in the best way. It pushed me to build a business that’s more intentional, sustainable, and aligned with the kind of life I want to live.
Now my work really lives at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and community. Whether I’m photographing a wedding, building out a brand, or mentoring other creatives, the goal is the same. I want people to feel seen, equipped, and confident in what they’re building.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I also wouldn’t describe it as chaotic or unstable. It’s been a steady process of growing, refining, and learning what actually works for me and the kind of life I want to build.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating seasons of change. I built a lot of my business before becoming a mom, and stepping into motherhood shifted my time, energy, and priorities overnight. I had to relearn how to work, how to structure my days, and how to build something that felt sustainable instead of just saying yes to everything.
There’s also been a learning curve in the industry itself. Photography and creative work can sometimes prioritize trends or volume over depth, and I’ve had to get really clear on what I value and how I want my work to feel. That’s meant making decisions that don’t always follow the standard path, like taking on fewer weddings with more intention or expanding into branding and creative direction in a way that feels aligned.
Another challenge has simply been figuring things out without a clear roadmap. A lot of what I do now didn’t exist in a structured way when I started, so there’s been a lot of trial and error, learning through experience, and building systems as I go.
But all of that has shaped the way I approach my work now. It’s made me more intentional, more thoughtful, and more focused on building something that lasts rather than something that just looks successful from the outside.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I started my photography business in 2020… literally right before the world shut down. So that was a little chaotic, but honestly I think it forced me to figure things out faster and not get too comfortable doing things the “normal” way.
Since then, it’s grown into something that feels a lot more full than just photography. I still specialize in weddings and brand work, but over time I realized people don’t just need photos… they need help telling a whole story. That’s what led to offering photo and video with my husband, which has been really fun and honestly just makes the experience feel more seamless for our clients.
I’ve also stepped into mentoring creatives, which kind of happened naturally. I was already having these conversations behind the scenes, and it turned into something I genuinely love. I also co-host the Say Less Podcast with Alex Taylor, where we talk about the creative industry, business, and all the things people don’t usually say out loud.
And then most recently, my husband Andrew Cacho and I launched Arisa Haus Creative Agency, where we work with creative brands and entrepreneurs on everything from web design and brand identity to photo, video, and content strategy. It’s basically all the things I was already doing, just in a more built-out, long-term way.
Also… I have two babies under two, so a lot of this has been built during nap times, late nights, and figuring out how to work in a way that actually fits my life now. It’s definitely changed how I think about time, energy, and what’s worth saying yes to.
I think what people know me for is work that feels elevated but still real. Not overly posed, not trying too hard… just something that actually reflects who they are.
And what I’m most proud of is that everything I’m building feels like it makes sense together. My work, my family, the way I show up for people… it all fits. It doesn’t feel like I’m constantly choosing one over the other.
As far as what sets me apart, I think I naturally look at the bigger picture. I’m not just thinking, “does this look good?” I’m thinking, “does this actually help you communicate what you’re trying to say?” Because those are two very different things.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have this really specific memory of going to an estate sale and buying a box of fabric from a woman for five dollars. I genuinely thought I had hit the jackpot. I went home and tried to sew something together by hand for the first time, and it ended up being the most uneven, random, kind of ugly quilt you’ve ever seen… but I was so proud of it.
Looking back, that feels like such a clear foreshadowing. I think I’ve always been someone who sees potential in things… even if it’s just pieces sitting in a box. And even if it’s not perfect, I still want to try to put it together and see what it could become.
I don’t ever want to lose that part of myself… the part that’s willing to create something just because it’s there, and believe it’s worth something even before it’s fully formed.
Contact Info:
- Website: Gracecacho.com and Arisahaus.com
- Instagram: @gracecachophotography ; @arisahaus
