October Grace Media, Staunton, VA

PROSPER

Some people take photos. Cindy Fellows tells stories—with light, with grit, with grace. From her beginnings as a single mom with a borrowed camera to now owning two photography businesses, Cindy is Staunton’s Mainstreet Maven of media and mission.

Through her work at October Grace Media, she captures far more than what’s in the frame. She captures the essence of nonprofits doing the quiet, hard work; of small businesses seeking to share their style; and of the everyday beauty in human connection.

In short? She’s the kind of woman who sees what others might miss—and makes it unforgettable. She “sees” the outcome before she begins and will go to great lengths to get the right shot. Recently, we found her traveling with her kayak, just to have the right prop for the shot (in a brand session for the City of Buena Vista)! Quite a level of vision and commitment.

A Lens Born from Change

Cindy’s photography journey began not in a classroom, but in the ache of a (too) quiet weekend.

“I was a stay-at-home mom and newly single. When my kids were with their dad on weekends, I was grieving,” she recalls. With a red Sony point-and-shoot in hand, she began walking, photographing whatever caught her eye. “It was therapeutic. I was creating in the sadness.”

What began as a personal outlet quickly became a passion – then a career, then a business! With no formal training, she taught herself photography like she once learned to make pie crust: slowly, through feel and thousands of hours of practice.

From Weddings to Brand Photography

Her official break came when a friend invited her to second-shoot a wedding. That partnership became Ameigh Fellows Media, a wedding business now a decade strong. While Cindy still loves weddings, her heart has settled into a different rhythm: brand photography and nonprofit storytelling.

“I was doing brand photography before I even knew what it was,” she says.

Now, she specializes in helping nonprofits and mission-driven businesses tell their story—visually, emotionally, and strategically. “There are tons of coffee shops. What makes your coffee shop different?” she asks. That’s where Cindy steps in—with camera, strategy, and heart, to make your brand memorable and an identifiable brand.

More Than a Photographer

Ask Cindy what sets her apart and she won’t talk about lenses or lighting. She’ll talk about relationships.

“I don’t like the word ‘client.’ I prefer ‘partner.’ Because I’m in it with you,” she says.

Her work goes far beyond taking a few headshots and handing over a Dropbox link. She consults on marketing goals. Helps write blogs. Manages Pinterest strategy. Captures fundraising content. And yes, she is always behind the camera.

“I want to be your cheerleader,” she says. “And I want the images to reflect you, not just your product.”

Photography That Fuels Purpose

One of Cindy’s longest-running partnerships is with Valley Children’s Advocacy Center, a nonprofit supporting child abuse survivors. Her task: tell their stories without ever showing their clients.

“We work behind the scenes—capturing trainings, events, and awareness campaigns. We’ve moved from static images to short-form video, blogs, and Pinterest posts,” she says. “Every month, I shoot a content day there. It’s a true partnership.”

And the result? Greater visibility. Easier fundraising. Increased Brand Awareness. Stronger community trust.

That’s the power of thoughtful, ethical brand photography.

What October Grace Media Offers

Whether she’s working with a nonprofit, a startup, or a local shop, Cindy offers three key services:

One-time brand sessions – Full photo packages (80–120 images) to launch or refresh your business visuals.

Monthly partnerships – Ongoing photo and video content, consulting, and social media support.

Consulting – For those who aren’t ready for full services, Cindy offers personalized coaching to help businesses tell their stories more effectively.

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We were crazy impressed by her knowledge of social media and storytelling. She knows how it all works together, which is priceless in today’s fast-moving and competitive environment.

Her studio in Staunton also allows her to shoot product photography and seasonal content in-house.

Built for Small Towns, With Big Vision

Cindy’s roots run deep in Staunton. She was the official photographer-in-residence and content creator for the Blackfriar’s Playhouse. This Shakespearian replica, the first of its kind outside of England, has ongoing theatrical productions and educational programs, which gave her room to develop her craft for brand photography. She served as photographer for the Staunton Mainstreet Mavens series (including this one!) With all of this, she’s as comfortable on a mission trip in Jordan as she is photographing a retail window on Beverley Street.

““I want to work with people doing good—people using their business or nonprofit to bless others.””

— Cindy Fellows, October Grace Media

And she truly means it. Her story is one of transformation—not just for herself, but for the dozens of brands, nonprofits, and missions she’s helped shine a little brighter.