Travis Borkenhagen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Travis, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes, constantly. Over my years as a business owner, I’ve learned that patience is usually the smarter strategy. Whenever I’ve tried to rush a decision or force a result before it was realistically ready, I ended up creating more work for myself—chasing leads, sending extra follow-ups, worrying about projects that simply needed a bit more time. In many cases, when I stepped back and allowed things to play out, opportunities either resolved themselves or became clearer, and I was able to respond with far less stress and far better outcomes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Travis, the owner and lead photographer behind Lovelee Photography and Elevation Event Photography. I specialize in luxury wedding photography across Arizona and Southern California, as well as high-end corporate event coverage nationwide. Over the past decade, I’ve built a reputation for blending efficiency, professionalism, and a clean, editorial style that helps clients feel both taken care of and genuinely seen.
What makes my brands unique is the way we approach photography as both an art and a service. Whether it’s a wedding at a top Arizona or SoCal venue, or a multi-day corporate conference at a major resort, my team and I focus on seamless execution, fast turnaround times, and an experience that feels effortless for the client. We aim to elevate the visual identity of every event we touch—capturing honest moments, sharp details, and the kind of storytelling that helps couples and companies stand out long after the day is over.
Right now, I’m expanding deeper into Southern California wedding markets and continuing to grow our corporate photography division, partnering with organizations that value reliability, brand consistency, and high-quality imagery.
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 breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think relationships usually break down because of assumptions and poor communication. When people stop asking questions, stop listening, or let resentment build quietly, even strong connections start to crack. Most damage doesn’t come from one big moment—it comes from lots of small misunderstandings that go unaddressed.
What restores relationships is honesty, patience, and accountability. Real trust is rebuilt when someone is willing to own mistakes, communicate clearly, and show consistency over time. That’s something I’ve learned both personally and professionally—whether working with wedding clients, corporate teams, or creative partners. Strong relationships aren’t built on perfection; they’re built on reliability, transparency, and effort.
In business and in life, the people who last are the ones who are willing to communicate, adapt, and treat others with respect, even when things aren’t easy.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I’ve learned most things in my life the hard way, and in a strange way, I’m grateful for that. Struggle teaches you awareness in a way success never can. It forces you to slow down, pay attention, and become more mindful about how you make decisions, who you trust, and what you say yes to.
Success can sometimes mask weaknesses. Suffering exposes them—and then gives you the chance to grow past them. It’s taught me resilience, emotional intelligence, and how to stay steady when things don’t go according to plan. As a business owner and creative professional, that’s been invaluable. When you’re responsible for clients, timelines, and real expectations, calm under pressure matters.
More than anything, struggle taught me humility and perspective. It reshaped how I value time, relationships, and the way I show up for people. Those lessons directly influence how I run my business today—intentionally, thoughtfully, and with a lot more patience than I had early on.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the photography industry is that the only thing that matters is the final image. Of course photography should look beautiful—but the experience matters just as much, if not more.
Clients don’t just hire a photographer for pictures; they’re trusting someone with once-in-a-lifetime moments, tight timelines, real emotions, and high expectations. Responsiveness, communication, professionalism, and attention to detail are what shape that experience. Kindness, preparation, follow-through, and reliability are often what clients remember long after the event is over.
Great photography is meaningless if the process is stressful or disorganized. I believe the best photographers don’t just deliver images—they deliver peace of mind. When clients feel supported, heard, and cared for, everything else falls into place naturally—including the photos.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think clients would miss the level of dedication we bring to every relationship. Not just in the work itself—but in how we show up.
They’d miss same-day responses, proactive communication, and the feeling that someone genuinely cared about their event as much as they did. They’d miss having a photographer who’s hands-on from the first email to final delivery, who anticipates needs, catches details others might overlook, and treats every project like it matters—because it does.
More than anything, they’d miss the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’re not just another booking on a calendar. My goal has always been to make clients feel supported, understood, and fully taken care of. That level of service is something people remember long after the images are delivered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loveleephotos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveleephoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lovelee-photography-601281375/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/loveleephotosaz
Image Credits
Lovelee Photography & Elevation Event Photography
