We recently had the chance to connect with Abby Pfaff and have shared our conversation below.
Abby, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am most proud of the strong foundation I’ve built for my business. I started photographing my own clients back in 2014 as a high school student, and ever since, I’ve been steadily building my career: learning, growing, earning my degree, juggling multiple jobs, working toward my teaching certification, and figuring out what I truly want in life.
What most people don’t see is how much patience and persistence it’s taken to get here. After 11 years of hard work, obstacles, and moments of doubt, I can finally say that I’m a full-time photographer. There have been plenty of roadblocks along the way, but I’ve chosen to keep nurturing this dream and go all in, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Abby Pfaff, a Fort Worth–based photographer specializing in bold, vibrant, and true-to-life imagery that celebrates individuality and emotion. I photograph everything from seniors and graduates to couples, families, brands, and events, but no matter the session type, my focus is always on connection and authenticity.
What makes my work special is the experience I create. I want every client to feel comfortable, confident, and seen. Whether it’s helping someone step into their power during a boudoir session or capturing the joy of a milestone, I’m all about celebrating people exactly as they are.
Right now, I’m excited to keep growing my business, expanding my creative work, and continuing to build a space where everyone, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, feels welcomed, supported, and celebrated through photography.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that I’m ready to release is the doubt I’ve carried for so long. For over a decade, I second-guessed myself, my abilities, my professionalism, and my worth as an artist. When I first started my business, I was so young that it often felt like people didn’t take me seriously. Later, after college, I questioned whether I could truly make it as a full-time creative, especially in the uncertainty that came after COVID.
But through perseverance, patience, and consistency, I’ve built something I’m extremely proud of. I’ve learned to stand confidently in who I am as an artist, a professional, and someone who creates a welcoming, affirming space for others. I now see myself the way others do, and I’m finally ready to let go of that lingering self-doubt. It’s served its purpose, but it no longer has a place in this next chapter.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would absolutely love to go back in time and tell my younger self that I am capable of big things. I wish I could tell high school aged Abby that she has the power to capture the true essence of a person, and that her art will make people fall in love with themselves. I wish I could tell her to be more sure of herself and to take more risks and to stop doubting herself.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is a great question that I was actually just talking to a friend about. The public/professional version of me is absolutely real, just a more confident and elevated version of myself. I’m naturally extroverted, but I can be hesitant in new social settings, unless it’s connected to my work.
When I’m behind the camera, something shifts, and my focus turns completely to the person in front of me. My camera helps to bring out the best parts of me and helps me lead with purpose instead of self-consciousness.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left, I would spend a lot more time traveling and being with the people I love most. I’ve always found so much inspiration in new places and some of my all time favorite work has come from traveling. Right now, I am pouring everything I have into growing my business and creating the life I’ve always dreamed of. If I only had 10 years left, I’d want to slow down and truly be present.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abbypfaffphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbypfaffphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-pfaff-981555111?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbypfaffphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/abby-pfaff-photography-fort-worth
- Other: https://www.abbypfaff.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@abbypfaffphotography?lang=en
Image Credits
Saint Butcher Studios (headshot)
Abby Pfaff Photography (senior and grad photography)
