According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Data Center, small businesses make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, employing nearly 46% of Americans. Utah continues to stand out for its pro-business climate, supported by strong initiatives and resources that help entrepreneurs start and grow. Each month, the Salt Lake Chamber will highlight a small business in Utah to showcase its economic impact and encourage community support.
With a love for photography that began in childhood, Natalie Cass, founder of Cass Studios, has spent more than 22 years turning moments into meaningful stories through the lens of her camera. Surrounded by her father’s National Geographic magazines growing up, Cass discovered her passion early, often picking up his camera to capture the world around her.
After graduating from college, what started with photographing weddings and babies eventually evolved into a much broader career. Over the years, Cass expanded her work into entertainment projects on movies and reality TV shows, and today she captures powerful visual storytelling through industrial photography for oil, gas and energy manufacturing.
For Cass, building her own business has been a journey of persistence and constant growth. “Day after day, you figure it out,” she said. “I’ve also been taking classes along the way to continue learning. I’m constantly learning about new tools and technologies.”
That mindset has allowed her to grow beyond photography alone. Cass has expanded her expertise and launched additional businesses under Cass Studios. These ventures focus on video production and drone work. She also creates branding videos, conducts commercial photography and takes professional headshots that help individuals and companies present themselves with confidence.
At the heart of Cass Studios is the experience she hopes every client walks away with. “I want people to feel a sense of boldness, passion and play — like they’ve got this,” she said. “Usually when people come to me, they’re looking to level up visually, whether that’s personally or professionally.”
Cass also believes strongly in the strength of the small business community. “I love small businesses — there’s just a grit with small business owners. We learn together and help each other out. The camaraderie is amazing. The Salt Lake Chamber brings us together to do that. As a small business owner, get the training, understand the systems and surround yourself with people who inspire you.”
To learn more about Cass Studios, visit cassstudios.com.
