We recently connected with Tabitha Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Tabitha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Tabitha Maegan Photography was started to document memories and slow down time. I have the typical story in the sense that I always had a camera with me throughout school – I had a 110 camera some time in elementary school, then continued taking photos in middle school, high school, and got my first digital camera in college! I took my camera with me everywhere and documented everything. I was always (and still am) drawn to people and connection. There is something so special about looking back at old images, whether waiting on the film to get developed, or looking back at old images, that are floating around the digital universe somewhere. I have memories going to my grandparent’s house as an adult and looking through all of their photo albums, asking who each person was, and what was happening in the photo. I had a food blog in 2015 that I worked on for a few years where I really learned to master lighting, manual settings, and “what a good image looks like”, which was really great to help me hone in on my skills. It wasn’t long after that I started taking professional pictures of families, babies, milestones, birthday parties, and really anything a family was celebrating. It really brought me so much joy. The photos were filled with emotion. I started investing money and time into learning all about lifestyle photography and I quickly learned why it is such a good fit with my interests, and even how I want my own family photos to look. I want there to be some emotion, a story when people are looking at the photos. Lifestyle photography to me, means capturing your family in a way that isn’t forced, it isn’t stiff, and it feels natural to you. I do sometimes guide a family activity during family sessions and I find this really helps families to relax, and creates natural candid moments. There are so many moments during the lifestyle family session that can’t be recreated and I love that!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into lifestyle photography as a way to connect with others, share a story and a moment, be creative, and share my why. I offer maternity, newborn, and family photography using a lifestyle approach. I also provide branding photography for small businesses – think creative portraits, not super stiff headshots in an empty, minimalist studio. I love color, connection, and I use that to be creative while also serving my clients. Many families contact me when they are pregnant, celebrating a 6 month or 1 year baby milestone, and when they’re looking for a laid back spring, summer, or fall session. Many of my clients print images from their session, which is really such a great feeling. I include a photo album with each family session because I don’t think images should only live online. We live in such a digital world but we need to get your family’s art onto your walls! What I want people to know when working with me, is that the sessions are easy going, they’re fun. Yes, your toddler might whine or cry, but they bounce back so quickly. I don’t force interaction and I don’t force children (or dads) to participate in the photo if they aren’t ready. If they need a few minutes to warm up, we take a different set of images. 9 times out of 10 the child comes back on their own accord! Lifestyle family photography lives somewhere between documentary photography and portrait photography. I search for good light, interesting elements and colors, and focus on documenting connection. Some families have really active children, some families have quiet children that take time to warm up. Each of their galleries from their session will look different from one another and that’s what I love about being a lifestyle photographer. I offer sessions in family’s home as well as outdoors.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist/creative is that people trust my judgment and skill to take their photos. Family photography is an investment. I take my time during each family session, getting to know the family, connecting with the children, and learning how I can make this family’s session experience meaningful to them. Many families come back to me 1-2 times per year which is so rewarding. I really care about the art of photography and the feelings of connection.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One thing that many professionals in the industry will tell you is there is a “right way” and a “wrong way” to do things. As a photographer you 100% have to know how to use your camera and how to use light, no doubt about that. In the creative profession there certainly are some rules to follow, but I think once you learn the rules you can break them. I have let go of perfection and rather want to know “what is the best way I can use my skills to help this family document their life?”. Some images have a really tight focal point, with everything else blurred out. Some images have someone’s face intentionally cropped out. Some images don’t even have a face at all, rather elements such as hands, touch, details. When I cull through images from a session, I’m so drawn to the details and the emotion. Old Tabitha would have probably deleted an image of a child crying, or a shot slightly out of focus, or a shot of the back of someone’s head. It’s a nice surprise when I get images like that. I follow emotion, the child’s lead, and work with the family and their personality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tabithamaeganphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabithamaeganphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabithamaeganphoto

Image Credits

MDree Photography