About

From Scratch Photography started as one of those half-asleep thoughts you usually forget by morning—except I never went to sleep.

Hi, I’m Callie Trousil, a young mom whose love for photography began simply by editing photos of my daughter. One night before work, I had a realization: I loved capturing and creating these moments—so why not turn it into something more?

Back in high school, I had planned to pursue aesthetics and attend school in Iowa, far from my small town Glenwood Minnesota home. Life had other plans. After finding out I was pregnant and facing some unexpected health challenges, I postponed that dream. Once my daughter was born, I made the decision to stay close to home, leaning on the support of my family.

I began working night shifts at a group home for vulnerable adults—work that was meaningful, but not where my heart truly was. One evening, while getting ready for another shift, I couldn’t stop thinking about the photos I had been editing earlier that day. I felt proud of them—really proud. On a whim, I sent them to a friend and asked if they looked like something she would pay for. Her response? She thought I already had.

That moment changed everything.

From Scratch Photography was born from exactly what the name says—starting with nothing but an iPhone, an editing app, and an idea. What began as a simple passion has grown into something so much more: a way to capture real, meaningful moments and turn them into lasting memories.