We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marie Pallansch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

My mom is an elementary school teacher, and she is my hero. Teachers are superhumans—shaping lives, building futures, and somehow doing it all while juggling more stress than most people can imagine. Growing up, I watched her pour her heart into her work, and it taught me to value empathy, persistence, and the power of asking questions. This shows up in my business every day, whether it’s getting to know my clients on a deeper level, asking the right questions to capture their story, or staying curious enough to constantly improve and innovate.

But here’s what I wish we emphasized more in schools: being persistent in chasing your dreams and knowing it’s okay to switch dreams if they no longer feel right. In a world where social media bombards you with what you “should” be doing—drink this, buy that, take this next step—I wish we could teach kids that it’s okay to tune out the noise. Just because something is “societal” doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. Life isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, and there’s no rulebook dictating how long you must stick with something.

For me, that mindset has been everything in building my wedding content creation business. If I’d let outside opinions get in the way, I might’ve been too scared to pursue an idea in an industry that barely existed a few years ago. Instead, I asked, “What if this is my thing? What if I can bring something meaningful to couples on one of the most important days of their lives?”

That’s the kind of thinking I wish we could teach—not just preparing students for the next test but for a life where they feel confident, adaptable, and brave enough to forge their own paths, even when it means starting over. And if we could also teach everyone to give teachers the respect (and salaries) they deserve… That’d be the cherry on top.

Marie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After college, I traveled across Europe, documenting every adventure with just my phone. Something clicked for me during that trip—not just the thrill of exploring new places but the excitement of capturing raw, unscripted moments. One of those moments sticks out like it happened yesterday: I was in Paris, and I saw a couple at an outdoor market. They filled their tote bags with fresh bread and flowers, and once their errands were done, they stopped by the café next door. Hand in hand, they ordered coffee, hugged, laughed, and walked away like they were in their own little world.

I included a photo of that moment because I want you to see it too to visualize their story. And while I’m not the type to just randomly film strangers, I can’t help but think that a video would’ve captured the depth of their connection in a way words or even a photo couldn’t. The way they glanced at each other, the warmth in their laughter… Video has this incredible power to show how much love exists without needing a single word.

In high school, I had a friend who started her own business. I admired her so much for her courage and creativity; seeing someone so close to me build something from the ground up planted the idea that I could one day do something similar. I still admire her to this day (hi, Sam). At the time, I didn’t know what my path would look like, but I knew I wanted to build something meaningful, something that would let me work for myself and create a lasting impact. So, I opened an LLC and waited for the right opportunity.

When I learned about wedding content creation, it felt like everything clicked into place. For anyone unfamiliar, wedding content creation is about documenting a wedding day in the most personal and authentic way possible, focusing on all the candid moments that traditional photography or videography might not catch. It’s not just about creating content—it’s about preserving memories in a way that feels intimate and real. For me, it’s less about staged perfection and more about capturing the connection, love, and joy that make each couple’s story unique.

Wedding content creation felt like it gave me a sense of purpose. It’s work that doesn’t feel forced, where I don’t have to overthink or pretend to be something I’m not. It just feels right. And now, I get to work with couples on one of the most meaningful days of their lives, turning fleeting moments into a living story they can revisit for years to come.

I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, but sometimes I wish I could see the look on my grandma’s face as I tell her about the beautiful, unique weddings I get to attend. I’d give anything to hear my grandpa cheering me on with every milestone I reach. Their love was what I always looked up to, and it’s who I think of every time I go to a wedding. I imagine what their day must have been like, knowing how deeply in love they were even at 80 years old. If someone could’ve captured their wedding day on a phone—moments I could replay anytime, anywhere—I’d cherish that more than anything.

Wedding content creation is growing so quickly, and yes, you could choose someone with the most followers, someone who’s constantly posting, or whoever’s featured in the most publications (which hi that’s me right now…what is life?!). But at the end of the day, I hope couples come back to the root of why this exists: to capture the authenticity of love and the joy of connection.

A wedding day is the culmination of all those little and big moments that brought you to that point. With wedding content creation, I aim to tell your whole story, even in the quietest moments when no words are exchanged. It’s not about flashy edits or trendy reels (although these are fun too); it’s about creating something timeless. Watching your wedding day unfold again, noticing the way your partner looked at you when no one else was watching—it’s like a window back into the day your love story reached a beautiful new chapter, alive with the same energy and vibrance you felt in the moment. The bonus—all of it is captured and saved in your phone’s camera roll, ready to relive less than 24 hours after the wedding day.

The work reminds me of that couple in Paris—their small, beautiful gestures and the connection they shared. It’s the same kind of love I see at every wedding, and it’s what drives me to keep capturing these stories. Simple, human, and full of life.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I’ve always loved exploring different creative outlets, which is why my work naturally spans across multiple roles. My 9-5 job is managing social media for a tile company—a role that’s all about understanding what resonates with an audience in a specific industry. Outside of that, I’ve built another income stream through UGC (user-generated content) and wedding content creation. While both involve content, the purpose behind each couldn’t be more different.

With UGC, it’s about bringing a brand’s product to life in a way that feels authentic and relatable. I get to collaborate with brands I love, showing how their products fit seamlessly into everyday life. For example, creating a video about my favorite carry-on bag isn’t just about the product. It’s about telling a story of how it made my trip smoother and stress-free. It’s less about the perfect pitch and more about creating something real and approachable that makes people say, “I could see myself using that.”

Wedding content creation, on the other hand, is deeply personal. It’s not about marketing or selling—it’s about storytelling. Capturing the momentary, emotional events of a wedding day and preserving them for couples to revisit.

What excites me about juggling these roles is that they both fulfill a part of me—my creative side, my love for storytelling, and my drive to make an impact. UGC lets me connect with brands and help them grow, while wedding content creation allows me to focus on capturing human connection at its most authentic.

So yes, I guess you could say my business has multiple streams, but more than that, it has multiple purposes. And that’s what keeps me energized—knowing that no matter what kind of content I’m creating, there’s always a deeper meaning behind it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand is that being a creative isn’t just about making things look or sound nice. It’s about solving problems in ways that don’t always have a clear roadmap. Whether it’s figuring out how to tell a brand’s story in 30 seconds or capturing the feeling of a wedding day through a camera lens, there’s so much thought, emotion, and strategy behind the final product.

What might look like a “fun job”, or a side hustle is often filled with trial, error, and vulnerability. You’re putting pieces of yourself into your work and hoping it connects with someone. And while the creative journey can be unpredictable and emotionally demanding, the reward of seeing your vision resonate with others makes every challenge worth it.

So to anyone who doesn’t see themselves as a “creative,” I’d say this: Creativity isn’t exclusive to art or design—it’s about how you approach a challenge or opportunity. And if I had to guess, you’ve probably been more creative in your own life than you give yourself credit for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mediabymk.com
• Instagram: @mediabymk
• Other: UGC Portfolio: www.mariekmedia.com/ugc
  Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

@mediabymk on Instagram.