Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maria Thompson, owner of Maria McKenzie Photography, located in Indianapolis, IN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a luxury wedding and portrait photographer who serves couples in Indianapolis, Indiana, and worldwide! I magically capture love stories with true love and connection so that I can share their love story through beautiful, timeless, romantic, and elegant heirloom photographs. I am passionate not only about timeless photos but about helping my couples feel confident in front of the camera and making their wedding day feel absolutely magical.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a family of wedding photographers. My dad and grandfather were both wedding photographers. From the time I was six years old, I would walk into my grandfather's home studio and stare at the gorgeous photographs and albums for hours that I, too, would grow up and become a wedding photographer myself. I was truly mesmerized and captivated by the beautiful artistry of their photos and the love stories that they told.
Once I graduated high school, I went to college for photography and started building my business from there. I officially opened my business in 2014, and I was a full-time wedding and portrait photographer within two years. Now fast forward to 2022, and I have photographed 125+ wedding day love stories as the lead wedding photographer. For me, photographs are not just photographs; they are your memories, and at the end of the day your marriage and your wedding photos are going to be the two things you walk away from your wedding day with. I am drawn to beautiful and romantic moments that you never want to forget, and I believe these moments should be preserved and passed down for generations to come.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am so proud of how far I have come, but I would say my biggest accomplishment is being able to thrive in a market that is saturated, along with being able to photograph love stories from coast to coast across the United States. Destination weddings hold a very special place in my heart, so the fact that I have been able to document so many love stories from Santa Barbara, California, to Charleston, South Carolina, is a huge accomplishment for me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Honestly, I would just say the hardest thing about being a business owner is knowing that if your business doesn't succeed, then it's all on you. There is no one to blame but yourself if things are not going the way you want them to. We must make our own path and work hard to pursue our dreams and the path we want to take. It's not always easy, but it's often very rewarding to be able to look back and say wow, I did that, I made this dream a reality. The next thing is balance being able to be good at time management and balancing being a wife, mom, and business owner is hard, but with great practices and boundaries, it can all be done.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Work hard, make a plan, know your start-up cost and cost of doing business, and never look back. Dive in head first!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I think I am good!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mariamckenziephotography.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariaMcKenziePhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamckenziephoto/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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