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As a high school senior, Seneca Lewis convinced her dad to visit a bridal shop for sale.

The 18-year-old who loved photography had planned to go to art school, but she decided to adjust her focus.

A week before graduation, she bought the business.

“God just left all the doors open,” Lewis, now 21, said in Seneca’s Bridal & Dress Boutique. With her other business, Photography by Seneca, the Susquehanna County native works with dozens of brides each year. Many times, her photography clients become her bridal shop customers.

Images: mermaid wedding dresses

When she purchased the bridal shop, she went from a high school senior to a business owner with rent and loans to pay and inventory to buy.

“It was terrifying,” she said.

As a new business owner, along with receiving her associate degree in business from Clarks Summit University, she learned about dress styles, fabrics and the latest trends. She sought advice from people in the bridal industry, as she worked to grow her photography business as well.

She often takes advice from other small-business owners and entrepreneurs who are members of the Rising Tide Society, a national group with a local chapter that believes in community over competition.

“Three years ago, I would have never thought retail is where I’d end up,” she said. “I love it. I love working with the bride.”

Two years ago, Lewis moved the shop from a visible storefront to the lower level of the recently renovated Tannery Place on South Main Street in Montrose. Though she no longer has visibility from the street, she seldom received business from people just walking by her old location. Bridal sales are by appointment only. She uses social media to market herself to brides and girls looking for prom dresses.

Customers visit from as far away as Scranton, Carbondale and Binghamton, New York, attracted by the quaint town and the promise of one-on-one service. She now has three part-time employees for her shop, who give her time to pursue her passion of photography.

Growing up, Lewis learned much about small business watching her dad, Eric, run Spectrum Electrical Services in Montrose. Home-schooled since sixth grade, she found time to pursue photography early. She shot her first wedding at the age of 14. She has 22 weddings scheduled for this year and dozens of high school senior sessions.

The oldest of 10, Lewis’ sister, Hunter, often accompanies and assists with shooting weddings. Together, the sisters also own and operate a photo booth business.

Jessie and Joey Harvey, who grew up in Clifford Twp. and now live in Tamaqua, used Lewis to photograph their engagement, wedding and pregnancy announcement photos. Lewis also helped the bride and wedding party find their dresses.

“She is like family and I know she will continue to be and we will document all our lifelong memories with her for years to come,” Jessie Harvey said. “We love her.”

Lewis said she loves capturing moments for generations to come.

“Connecting with couples is something important to me,” she said. “It’s so cool to be part of their lives. I can’t wait to meet the babies.”

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