Somerset photographer breaks into the industry with help from local community

Evan Custer is chasing his passion, shifting his side hustle to his full-time gig.

Have you ever wanted to start a business but lacked the confidence to take the next step? Having the confidence in yourself and your skills to start a business can be difficult, and being an entrepreneur comes with uncertainties.

For photographer Evan Custer, that confidence and trust was found in Startup Alleghenies coach Matt Reckner. “Matt answered all my questions and simplified the process,” Custer said. “He helped me understand the finances and growth that would launch my success.”

As a kid, Custer’s mom was always taking pictures, and he became enamored with the art of it. “Being around it my whole life, I loved playing filters when Instagram blew up,” he said, “and when I took my first photography class, I knew I was all in.”

Custer has grown fond of shooting live events and performances. Pictured is an on-stage view of Pittsburgh Musician Cam Chambers at the Turner Dairy Farms 50th Anniversary Party at Carrie Furnace.

He said that taking portraits for friends and family became a hobby in college. “I was intimidated to promote it as an actual business,” he shared, “so I just continued doing It as a hobby until about eight months ago. I photograph just about everything from product and brand shoots to lifestyle and portrait shoots to events, concerts and weddings.”

I get to make a positive impact on businesses and people’s lives… there is nothing better than capturing a moment in time.

“As I moved toward corporate events and honing in on a niche that would give me financial freedom, I could shift this to a full-time business,” Custer shared. “Before that, I was a videographer and photographer at a marketing agency, and most recently, I was the creative director for outdoor brands.”

What intrigued Custer about entrepreneurship was the creative freedom. “With an agency, there is little freedom in the clients and projects I wanted to work on,” he said. “Being able to put my name on a project and work on the things I am passionate about has been the most rewarding part of my journey.”

A Startup Alleghenies networking event established the connection for this interior design photo for Jessica Lehman Design.

Custer’s passion is contagious in the work he does. “I get to make a positive impact on businesses and people’s lives… there is nothing better than capturing a moment in time,” he said. “When clients see how excited I am about their shoot, it makes a very authentic experience for each person.”

Be passionate. Be confident. Don’t be afraid to show the world what you can do.

“With that level of passion, it was easy to see that Evan was going to do what it takes to make his business idea successful,” Reckner said, “he just needed some guidance to grow his confidence to leap.”

“Whether I am shooting for a brand, a corporate event, a concert, a wedding or portraits, I pour everything into bringing the client’s vision to life,” Custer said. “It was when I realized I couldn’t continue to pursue photography in addition to my full-time job.”

Product and brand shoots help Custer bring his client’s vision to life, allowing their product or brand to be aesthetically showcased. Featured here is a product shoot for Turner Dairy Farms.

“Starting a business all comes down to support,” he said, “And there are so many local resources here ready to help me take that first step.”

The network and client relationships that Custer had established helped him propel his business forward. “The people in this region are genuine and passionate,” he said. “They take great pride in their products and businesses, which helps me make genuine connections with them and build a network of like-minded people.”

As for the future, Custer plans to ramp up his marketing and narrow his niche at Evan Custer Photography. “Starting my own business full-time will allow me to be more available, so I plan to begin marketing more and focusing in on the type of work I do,” he said. “The long-term goal is to have the flexibility and freedom to chase more passion projects in the future.”

His advice for others was simple—“Be passionate. Be confident. Don’t be afraid to show the world what you can do.”

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.