We recently connected with Maggie Karanja and have shared our conversation below.

Maggie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

As an Atlanta wedding photographer, I’ve learned to anticipate the unexpected, always armed with backup plans to ensure my couples’ special day runs smoothly. My family and freinds always say my backup plans have backup plans.

Reflecting on a wedding I captured in Savannah, Georgia, last year, challenges were evident from the start. The couple, unfamiliar with the area, entrusted me to navigate the intricacies of their destination wedding. Months prior to the wedding, I scouted the cathedral they were getting married at and surrounding locations that would make for beautiful photos. Little did we anticipate the downpour that greeted us on the big day, throwing our carefully laid plans into the trash.

Despite the stress of unanticipated rain, I remained composed, channeling years of experience to swiftly adapt. Taking refuge in a nearby coffee shop, we salvaged the moment, capturing intimate shots amidst the cozy ambiance. Meanwhile, my assistant scouted additional locations down the road.

Despite the weather throwing off our plans for traditional outdoor shots, the couple was so grateful. Their appreciation only deepened when we arranged an additional shoot in Atlanta a month later, ensuring they had cherished outdoor memories to complement their wedding album.

In the face of adversity, we turned challenges into opportunities, creating a memory of resilience and creativity that surpassed the couple’s expectations. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of adaptability and collaboration in capturing love’s most precious moments.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Introducing Stepping Stones Photography: Atlanta-based wedding photography and videography team capturing love stories in Georgia and beyond. Led by Maggie Karanja, we blend candid moments with timeless portraits to create authentic memories. Known for making clients feel at ease, we prioritize genuine connections to ensure every moment is captured truthfully. With us, your wedding day is immortalized in a genuine, artistic manner, reflecting the essence of your love story for years to come.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My philosophy on wedding photography is that photos aren’t the most important part of your wedding day. Weird thing for a photographer to say, right? But it’s true! My number one goal on every wedding day is that the two people getting married enjoy their day to its fullest—and then amazing photos are the byproduct of that. The framers and posed photos definitely have their place on a wedding day, but the best wedding galleries are filled with those amazing portraits and candid photos that remind the couple of all the special little moments in between the posed portraits.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had been taking pictures for years before my business started. I took my camera with me everywhere I went, so people naturally thought of me when they needed their graduation photos, or family photos done. I then thought, “why not turn this into a business?” for tax reasons of course. At this point I was working a full time job, and had some savings that I dipped in for starting cost. I gave myself $4,000 to start my business, with the intention that after I spent it, that was it. If my business took off, it took off, if it didn’t, it didn’t … I’m so grateful it took off!

Now that I was making some side income, I had to decide how to spend the money. I love this scripture from the Bible that says, “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”. This literally applies to all life, even business. Every software, shiny new camera, any big flashing object that says “buy me, I’m useful”, is not always the most beneficial way to spend your money starting out. Overtime I saved to buy that new camera and useful software.

After figuring out a marketing strategy and ways to promote my business, I started booking clients and they started referring me to others. Customer experience is key to growing a business. Photography isn’t merely transactional, but it’s a way for you to love others and serve them in the process.

A year and a half after I started my business, it began to get really difficult to balance a full time job and my business. I was working 8-5 during the day and then working on my business that night and weekends. Not a sustainable lifestyle, or healthy may I add. After a lot of advice, and looking at business finances, I decided to take the plunge into doing my business full time. It’s amazing what God can do with a little bit of faith. The flood gates opened.

I’ve been full time with Stepping Stones Photography since July 2022.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://steppingstonesphoto.xyz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steppingstonesphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steppingstonesphoto/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/steppingstonesphoto TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steppingstonesphoto

Image Credits
Stepping Stones Photography: https://steppingstonesphoto.xyz/