Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Mayberry.

Hi Vanessa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

From a young age, I have been on a journey of discovering how to live a life filled with adventure, passion, new challenges, and creativity. Over time, I’ve learned that creating something long-lasting and purposeful often involves being of service to others. This realization led me to pursue multiple paths that combined my passions with the intention of helping others.

My journey began with acting at a very young age, which introduced me to the film industry. I became fascinated with the behind-the-scenes aspects of film production. By age ten, I was creating mini movies and stop-motion animations to build my portfolio and submit to contests. I filmed actors’ self-tape auditions using a setup in my parents’ house, continuously leveraging my skills and investing any earnings into new equipment and software. My curiosity drove me to spend hours teaching myself various programs.

At seventeen, I enrolled in a cinematography course that immersed me in every aspect of filmmaking—from scriptwriting and scene analysis to directing, lighting, audio, and post-production. This intensive course deepened my love for production.

After graduation, I moved to Vancouver to pursue acting full-time. However, making ends meet proved challenging, and I worked two part-time jobs to support myself. It was during this time that I realized my true passion lay in directing, not acting. Consequently, I returned to Manitoba to reassess my career path.

While building my photography portfolio, I started by assisting wedding photographers. This eventually led to managing my own wedding photography business full-time, allowing me to quit my serving job and 9-5 employment. Although I enjoyed traveling for weddings, I realized it wasn’t my true passion.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I moved back to the mountains in British Columbia to embrace a new chapter of my business. Starting from scratch in a new city during a pandemic required innovative thinking to connect with clients. I converted an empty room in the shared house I was living into a mini studio, where I photographed and modelled products for local businesses. This work helped build my portfolio in Vancouver a spread the word about my services.

Eventually, I moved into a loft studio, which I transformed into a live/work space. Operating as a photo studio by day and my home by night, this venture was a significant risk due to the high overhead costs and being unaware of the demand for studios in the city. However, it was a chance I was willing to take. Four years later, the studio has become one of Vancouver’s top-rated studios.

Most recently, I’ve been exploring film photography and fashion-related content. As a creative, I am always evolving and experimenting. While this constant evolution is challenging, it is also what makes the journey so rewarding.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

There were many struggles along the way. When I moved back home from Vancouver the first time, I was thousands of dollars in debt. The cost of living while working two part-time jobs and building an actor’s profile was expensive. Back in Winnipeg, I had to figure out my next steps. I worked a serving job and a full-time 9-5 to pay off my debt and support my new chapter.

After years of assisting in wedding photography and taking on my own projects, I finally made the leap to go full-time. I was photographing thirty weddings each summer, which allowed me to travel extensively—something I absolutely loved. However, when COVID hit, it wiped out all my work, leaving me devastated, like so many others affected.

I relocated to Vancouver a second time with no clients, little knowledge of the city, no friends or family nearby, and only some savings in my bank account. I lived with ten people in a shared house while rebuilding my business from scratch.

Those were by far the most challenging times, but entrepreneurship is always challenging in various ways.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’m a photographer and videographer based in Vancouver, Canada, specializing in storytelling through captivating portraits and videos. I take great pride in my determination to pursue my passions. What sets me apart is my willingness to embrace discomfort to build something I believe in. I enjoy experimenting and trying new things, knowing that even if they don’t go as planned, I will always gain valuable lessons from the experience.

What does success mean to you?

Success to me is living a life that combines passion and purpose. When you can do what you love and help others in the process, that is true happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vanessamayberry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessamayberry/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamayberry/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vanessamayberryphotography