My Name is Cassandra L. Stephens–feel free to call me Cassie. I created CLS Photography in 2015, as a result of a life-long passion of viewing life creatively “behind the lens.” Self-taught in the nuances of portraiture, weddings and boudoir, I had distinguished my niche within a highly competitive industry.
Having grown up in Santa Barbara, California, I developed a fascination with cameras, lenses and lighting. Every life event needed to be documented, whether it was tea parties, birthdays or school field trips—I relished in capturing the magic of special moments, as well as the unique persona of my subjects.
After graduating from high school as an exemplary art student, I acquired a number of scholarships in order to attend FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in Los Angeles, which launched me into the world of fashion.
Graduating with honors, I was immediately hired and became adept in the field of fashion design. I swiftly became one of the youngest fashion designers in the company. As a senior designer, I became a photographer on many occasions for my companies, whereby I was able to uniquely capture the feeling and lifestyle of the clothing I designed.
After having shared my photography portfolio, a colleague offered me an opportunity to assist in a number of wedding photoshoots which began my journey into capturing the love stories of others. I then developed my own clientele as a solo photographer. After serving 10 years in the fashion design industry, my photography grew to such an extent that I elected to make photography my sole, full-time career.
My home base is currently at the sandy beaches of Huntington Beach, California, but I never limit myself to one location. I recently spent 2 years in Denver, Colorado, which was an amazing opportunity for me to expand my work and truly learn more about myself as a photographer and as a person. While I loved living in Colorado, I discovered I am a palm tree, not a pine tree.
As I continue to be a wedding photographer, I have rapidly expanded my creative flair into the art of boudoir and specialty portraiture. I offer a beautifully designed studios for my custom photoshoots, from boho chic, to glitz and glam, to bridal. I cannot wait to continue my passion with every aspect of photography and expand my talent to the next level.