Full disclosure, when Meghan started her photography business in High School, this endeavor was not much more than a way to earn some extra cash (and to that we say “YES QUEEN”). Once Meghan felt herself expounding beyond that narrative, this allowed her to see the vast love she had for the art of photography. At the age of 17, she interned with a wedding photographer while simultaneously taking a photojournalism class. Between the wholeheartedness personified in the wedding photographer she shadowed under and seeing first hand the storytelling of people through photojournalism, she found the realm of photography evolving from a side gig to a complete calling.
“It was then that I began learning in waves that my camera could be used as a tool to take part in people’s lives and gift them with the encouragement and joys of remembering life well and living it fully.”
Meghan revisits those first feelings often to remind herself that the initial joy and intrinsic passion for this craft flowed from a desire to see and love people. In all things, no matter the craft, when we are able to understand the depth of a person’s experience, it transforms the imagery in how we see the world around us. Life’s luster comes from the refining of this skill. Humanity is the art, and Meghan is such a beautiful reminder of that.
“There’s nothing sweeter to me than the tangible presence of empathy woven through a photograph.”
Meghan fell in love with film photography without even realizing what it was. She consistently found herself trying to embody the style of photography that her mentors were sharing, not realizing it was film. It took about a year for her to realize this type of photography would not come from a digital camera. Like most of us, the thought of film photography was a bit daunting for Meghan, but still this perpetual voice of intrigue kept nagging her like an angel on her shoulder. It wasn’t until a fellow creative friend asked her, “is the fear of failure what’s keeping you back?” It was the honest answer to her friend’s question and the undying love for the ethereal gentleness of film that pushed her to move forward. Now, with an immeasurable amount of film rolls behind her, this medium has become her craft of choice, “Truly, it has become about much more than just the feel and coloring of the images themselves. I adore the process, the slowness and intentionality of having to pause and recognize each moment with others. The value of each image (forever hearing cha-ching with each click of the shutter) has literally been the inspiration behind so much of my desire to be present in moments with the people I’m capturing."
While Meghan shoots both digital and film photography. We asked what makes film photography so significant to her.
“As a whole, I’ve found that film is a bit more soft with lines and light. It’s less defined, less harsh, and carries with it an almost painting-like essence that captures features kindly, with a timeless feel.”
We are not saying that everyone should pawn-off their DSLR cameras immediately. Meghan reassured us that there are dozens of scenarios and lighting situations where digital inevitably wins the game. Film photography is just one tool of many good tools. It allows the creator to slow down and find meaning in the full process of photography without the instant gratification of an image popping up on a screen.
For Meghan it is vital to not get so wrapped up in the showmanship of photography that she loses the ability to recognize the beauty that only lies in the present. It’s so easy to forget that as creators, we are so much more than a brand label. There is an authentic beauty beyond the stereotypes that often gets left behind in the dark corners of the internet. It is incredibly powerful and inherently human when we let go of controlling every detail that finds us in life.
“I’ve witnessed expectations and insecurities steal the very life out of some of the most tender and telling moments because they weren’t the moments hoped for on social media.”
When we are able to trust the photographer with real moments and strive to be present, they have the freedom to document these brilliant snapshots of life, just as they are. In Meghan’s words, “These moments step over trends, through generations, and way past a likable instagram post.”
Meghan is truly one of the good ones. Her sincerity goes so far past her undeniable talent. She sees people in the way we would all want to be seen. When she says something, she means it. Her faith is a beautiful extension of her heart and it is refreshing. She doesn’t love for show. She loves because she has been loved. We would trust her with way more than our wedding photos. If you would like to get in touch with Meghan you can visit her website or reach out to her on instagram.
“I want to have taken at least one photo in my career that’s been framed, passed, and smiled at a million times. A photo that is telling and thus taken off the wall before Grammy’s house is sold, so that it continues to be treasured for years and years to come.”
