Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Tyo

Hi Meg , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I started college many years ago with the goal of becoming a photographer. During that time my grandfather began to struggle with age-related challenges, and seeing the impact that had on him and on our family made me realize that photography was not my only passion. I ended up graduating with a degree in Studio Art and Photography with minors in psychology and gerontology, and then obtained my Master’s in Social Work (MSW). After graduation I began working as an emergency room and ICU social worker, and photography fell to the wayside.

Fast forward to a few years later when my grandfather’s house was getting ready for sale after he passed. It was such an important place for my family and me over the years and it was a difficult space to say goodbye to. I brought my camera with me on my last visit to the house, and taking pictures of both the larger spaces and smaller details that were meaningful to me helped me to process the loss. Sharing the photographs with my family provided us with a tangible memory to revisit even when we could no longer visit the home in person.

Seeing how the use of photography truly helped me and my family to cope with grief and loss got me thinking that this is a service that other people could benefit from as well. The idea was always in the back of my mind, but working as a medical social worker did not leave me with the time or bandwidth to start a business of my own.

Working in emergency medicine, critical care, geriatrics, and oncology allowed me the privilege of getting to know many people who have faced challenges with resilience and hope, and when a friend encouraged me to pick my camera back up I knew that there was an opportunity to use it for good. In 2019, Sweet Home Photography was founded as a very small side business to supplement my social work career.

During the pandemic I had the chance to shift from medical social work to private practice mental health, which in turn allowed me the freedom to expand my business. I am now so thankful to be able to work in mental health and photography about half time each, and am so excited that my business continues to grow!

Sweet Home Photography focuses primarily on services for older adults and families, keeping true to the roots of the idea that sprouted many years ago. I am fortunate to work with many dynamic senior communities in my area, offering portrait sessions, event photography, and in-home shoots prior to a sale or downsize much like I did for my own family in the past.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I don’t know if anyone’s path to pursuing a passion is ever straight or easy–my work as a social worker has taught me that the best things often come out of challenge. COVID posed a huge challenge to my business at the beginning, as access to senior communities and older adults in their homes was significantly restricted at that time. It was necessary to pivot towards outdoor family photography during that time, which I also enjoy, but which has never been my ultimate purpose.

Most recent struggles for me have been learning how to be an entrepreneur. Photography comes naturally to me, but business does not. It has been eye-opening to learn everything that is involved in small business ownership as my business expands. It feels overwhelming at times, but is also so empowering to know that I am building something from scratch with my hands in all aspects of the process.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I have always thought of myself as a social worker first and a photographer second, mainly because social work has been my primary source of income until very recently. I am starting to shift that focus to recognize that both can be equal parts of my professional identity, which feels so good.

My photographs focus primarily on older adults, and I am proud to be building a network around this niche. We photograph babies, kids, pets, brides, grooms, and graduates all the time, but how often do we stop to capture the oldest members of our families? Capturing milestones, accomplishments, and memories is an important part of life and should not stop due to age.

Offering portrait sessions to older adults is important to me because everyone deserves a space to feel seen and valued, and time in front of the camera is one way to create that. I often ask participants to bring important objects with them to sessions to be photographed with so that they can share an additional piece of their legacy through the final image. Talking with participants during sessions and using social work skills within the conversation not only helps me to better understand the person I’m capturing but also allows them an outlet to share something important about themselves. Digital photography adds an extra layer, as participants are able to see how their portraits look in real time. Many people express discomfort about having their picture taken due to age-related changes in appearance, but talking them through the process and allowing them to see an image that is a true and beautiful representation of who they are in that moment often helps to change the tone of the session within just a few minutes. Nothing makes me happier as a photographer than seeing someone leave a session feeling a little lighter and more confident.

My favorite type of session to shoot is an event at a senior community. I like nothing more than to be a fly on the wall and capture people being themselves, having fun, and connecting with one another. Our society still looks at aging and later life through such a fearful lens. Being able to portray older adults living authentically happy and meaningful lives helps to combat some of that ageist stigma. In social work we say, “if you didn’t document it, it didn’t happen.” In photography I say, “if you document it, you have proof that it exists.” It can be easy to jump to worst-case conclusions about what aging might be like, but it is hard to argue with visual proof to the contrary!

I also offer in-home sessions to help capture an important space, often before a sale or downsize. Downsizing can be such a contentious process for everyone involved. In my work as a medical social worker I have seen countless times the challenges that families face when older generations want to remain in their family home even though it may no longer be safe. Taking even an hour of time during that process to pause and reflect on the fact that, while it may no longer be safe to remain in a home in the community, that doesn’t mean that the home is inherently bad. Taking the time to recognize the beauty in the legacy that a home provides goes a long way during a difficult time. Using social work skills during sessions and providing families with tangible memories to take with them after a space is gone can help to process these challenging transitions.

My experiences as a social worker consistently inform how I approach photoshoots, and the creative muscle that photography helps me to keep active enhances my social work practice as well. The social work mindset behind my photography is something that makes my business unique.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?

People might be surprised to know that without my camera, I’m not naturally extroverted or drawn to the center of the action. My camera gives me a free pass to dive into experiences I might not otherwise, and I love it!

Another fun fact is that I met my husband working at Radio Shack almost 19 years ago!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweethomephotoroc.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweethomephotoroc
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/sweethomephotorochester
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtMFZljXpo-CBbT_2syMidw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-home-photography-rochester

Image Credits

All image credits to Sweet Home Photography.