Meet CeeCee Weaver | Owner & Photographer of Pink Salt Photos

We had the good fortune of connecting with CeeCee Weaver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CeeCee, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk Taking played a huge role in my life and career. Throughout my entire childhood I was told that I needed to find a job, stay at that job, and retire. I had 1 job out of college and worked my way up the corporate ladder for 15 years. Once I reached a certain point in my career I realized I wasn’t happy.

I wanted to try and pursue photography full-time. That would mean my husband and I would be cutting our salary in half with no guarantee of making any of it back. For 6 months I went back and forth trying to weigh out the pros and cons of quitting my job and pursuing photography. I just knew I couldn’t stay at my current position. No matter the title and the salary, it just was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I called my manager and we had a long conversation about my next steps and I told her I was leaving the company. It was unexpected, it was unheard of, especially at that level. However, she and my colleagues were extremely supportive. I will never forget that day.

It was a huge move, and from that day I knew that taking a risk like that is scary, but I think the fear does not outweigh the regret of not doing it at all. It was the best decision I’ve ever made for me, my family, and my career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My love for photography came from my dad. He documented EVERYTHING! We have stacks and stacks of memories in all different types of formats; polaroids, prints, digitals, VHS tapes, mini dvrs, and DVDs. You name it, he’s owned it! When I finally got my hands on a camera I took that thing everywhere. It was a Sanrio Keroppi 35mm camera I got for my 8th birthday. I loved getting rolls developed at Costco. I have every photo cataloged and digitized for the past 20 years!

One day my best friend asked me to take engagement photos for her friend as a gift to them. I was scared out of my mind, but I did it. It sparked something in me. But I just put that away in my back pocket and didn’t think anything of it. Fast forward to 2017, that creative spark never went away and another friend asked me to take his wedding photos! Not once did I ever think that I was good enough for someone to ask me to document one of the most important days of his life. Not knowing if I could even deliver, I educated myself, I practiced, and I asked other photographers out there. I did it and I did it scared.

Now in 2023, I’m a little bit older, a little bit wiser, and am understanding what brings me joy and how I can bring that joy to others. Being a woman of color I want to empower others like me who are looking to pursue their passions like I did. I’ve been able to take thousands of photos of events, milestones, and environments and I now see why I am doing what I do.

Serving others and showing love through my craft has always been something I want to pass on to my daughter and now I get to do that through my love of photography. My experience in the corporate world and being able to couple that with photography has allowed me to partner with small businesses so I can make a greater impact than just making it about myself. My goal is to bring out the real person behind the business, the art, the craft. There is so much beauty in the world and these days everyone can capture it through their phones which is such an amazing gift. However, what I do is bring a vision to life, revealing what is impossible from just an idea. I am so excited to be able to help others and give people a gift that will be passed on for generations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What a great question! Besides photography another thing that brings me joy is exploring. I love to check out new spots; shops, food, pop-ups, events, anything! It might be my fear of commitment, but I very rarely go anywhere more than once. So I would be a great tour guide!

I live in a small town called Benicia which is next door to the city where I was born and raised, Vallejo. The best part of living here is that we are the center of everything! Close to Napa for the wine, and close to San Francisco for the good vibes and culture. In Benicia there is the cutest little downtown on 1st Street. So to start out our day we would head to States Coffee and One House Bakery for coffee and breakfast. One House has the best breakfast and pastries with a beautiful courtyard in the back to sit and enjoy the sun. Next we’ll head to the many cute little shops along the street; Le Sparkley Chateau, Bell & Brass, and Sweetness & Light Flowers just to name a few. For lunch we’re heading to the Workshop which is a takeout spot that serves New Orleans dishes! We’ll take our meal to have a picnic at 9th Street Park just around the corner. The end the evening we’re heading to Rellik Tavern & Bottom of the Fifth for another quick bite and a cocktail!

Because I lived in San Francisco for 15 years, we would definitely spend a day or 2 there and it’s only about 30-40 minutes away! We would go to El Farolito in the Mission and get a burrito, have a picnic at Dolores Park, and people watch. Next we’re hitting Chinatown to grab dim sum, and then for some pizza at Golden Boy in North Beach and browse all the shops in the area, maybe grab a cannoli. To end the day we’ll go to Golden Gate Park and maybe take a walk around the Shakespeare Garden and check out the sunset at Ocean beach.

So many places to see and things to do in the Bay Area, it’s so hard to narrow it down!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Pursuing photography would not have been able to happen without the support of my husband. When I was too scared, or doubted myself he was there listening and supporting me. He will always be my #1 cheerleader.

My faith has kept me stable as well. Stepping out in faith knowing that even if I fail, I’m still on solid ground and I will always get back up.

Throughout my journey friends and family have also always supported my business in every way. Whether it was letting my take their family photos, giving me a shout out on social media, or word of mouth, none of it went unnoticed.

Website: https://www.pinksaltphotos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinksaltphotos/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceeceeweaver/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinkSaltPhotos/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pink-salt-photos-benicia