We were lucky to catch up with MEGAN REED recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi MEGAN, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My most meaningful project is also the one that is still in progress. During one of my photography courses in college, I started a project called Aftertaste where I took self-portraits that embodied my personal experience with sexual assault. My intent was to expand on this project and work with other people who have a similar experience and eventually create a photo book with images, as well as interviews with the subjects of the photos. I have had trouble over the years finding volunteers for this project because it is a very personal thing to talk about and to relive, so it is slow going.

MEGAN, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my interest in photography at 13 years old after job shadowing my friend’s mom for a day with her photography business. I ended up going to an arts high school for 2 years to take their photography classes and minored in photography in college as well.

In college I wanted to explore more of the creative side and really tell a story. I realized that was maybe not my calling and now I like to collaborate with others on fun creative ideas. I tend to start with a general outline, theme, or idea and then bring other photographers, models, videographers in so we can all have our own take on what we produce.

Since the pandemic, it has been hard to get started back on doing this regularly. I also no longer have a friend and makeup artist at my disposal for more intense looks, so I would love to work more regularly with a makeup artist again!

Most of my work is trade for pics because I really am just wanting to create and not necessarily turn a profit. The regular kinds of shoots that photographers are paid for are not something that inspires me so I don’t actively search for paid opportunities around things like senior portraits, weddings, etc. However, I have recently discovered my love for pet portraits!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Honestly, just being able to channel my thoughts, ideas, and visuals that I see in my head all the time. I am the type of person who can see the images she wants to photograph, so when I am actually able to make them come together it is so rewarding and encouraging. But I also think it is important that if you are an artist or creative person, even if you are not actively participating in the thing you love most, take time to do other creative things.

I haven’t been able to do many photoshoots lately and stretch that creative muscle, but I have been working on learning video editing and growing my skills in that area. Even though I am editing footage that I didn’t shoot, being able to bring it together in a cohesive and creative way still means I am using my talents and being able to channel my creative energy,

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My photography professor in college and I did not get along. At the time, I had never approached photography as an art form and I was discovering my style and what I wanted to explore and no matter what I did, it did not seem to relate to him and he didn’t like it. When I was presenting my project Aftertaste, I remember him saying that since it was so personal it wasn’t good to share in a critique setting because no one would be able to comment on it. So next semester I pivoted and tried something totally out of my comfort zone and he said it looked like I wasn’t even trying anymore.

Had I only listened to his feedback, I would have quit immediately and potentially not finished my photography minor. But the truth was, I didn’t need every photo I took to be “art” and to change the world. Sometimes, I just wanted to take photos that meant something to me or were just fun and pretty.

I think it is important to know your own style, but I also think if you aren’t having fun with what you are doing there is no point. Now, I don’t even remember that professors name and I’ve been published twice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meganreedphoto.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganreedphoto/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganreedphotography1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-reed-7213674a/

Image Credits
Alicia Briggs, Emma Reed, Natalie Nield, Sophie LaVoie, Kayla Shelton, Chantel Perez, Lana Morer, Meg Hammond, Markos Cela, Jenni Hermanson, Meilene Robin