We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex McCrary. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.

Alex, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I do earn a full time living – I support my family with my photography job as sole income!

Photography was something I got interested in while in high school. I did photos for family and friends. After graduating I got married shortly after and got a job as a CNA. Then after having our first daughter, I picked up a camera again, wanting to photograph her & her milestones. After our second daughter was born and I started photographing more and being asked by people, I decided I wanted to pursue it as a “fun hobby” to get out of the house and feel creative. I attended a workshop that year (2018) and from there decided I loved photographing couples. In 2018 I had 2 weddings booked, 12 in 2019 and over 20 in 2020 and ever since. My husband quit his job in the middle of 2021 (we then opened a coffee shop as well). Since mid 2021 I’ve been sole income for our family (with our now 3 daughters 7, almost 6 and 1 year old). I have a team of associates who shoots weddings for my brand as well and we (my husband, haha) are working on completing a studio in our shop building to take on more portrait sessions as well.

It definitely was a hobby turned full time job that I didn’t expect. I think what helped spurred my passion of wedding photography is my husband and I didn’t hire a wedding photographer for our own wedding and so I know what it’s like to miss out on those big moments you can’t get back.

I could have sped up the process for sure if I went back but I don’t know that I would choose to. I feel like I learned a lot through growing, making mistakes and pivoting. Things I couldn’t have learned if I didn’t personally experience them.

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

Opps, kind of did that on the first question!

My name is Alex McCrary. I’m an Iowa based wedding photographer. I started taking photos for fun when I was in high school for friends and family. My husband and I met and started “dating” at 14 and so we got married young at 18. When I had our first daughter right after I turned 20 I picked up my camera again. After having our second daughter soon after I started taking more photos as a creative outlet and way to get some time out of the house (I was a full time stay at home mom). I attended a photography workshop that year in 2018 and from then decided to take myself seriously. I went from photographing things here and there to booking weddings and going full time in 2020. From there in 2021 my husband was able to quit his job and here we are years later in 2024, I’m still full time, shooting weddings (and other things here and there).

My passion is absolutely wedding photography. My husband and I didn’t hire a photographer for our wedding and so I love to educate people on the importance of not missing out on those moments because I know first hand what that feels like and am here to make sure others don’t make that same mistake.

I also mentor other photographers as well as have an associate team that shoots weddings under my brand when I’m booked so we can give the AMP (Alex McCrary Photography) experience to more couples. We shoot all over Iowa as well as destinations, like Florida, California and the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana).

Aside from shooting weddings, I love our small town of Denver, Iowa, so family, senior and branding/marking photos are also something I love doing to connect with the community as well. My husband and I opened a coffee shop in Denver in October of 2021 and own our multi-office building we are located in. He has been working away on finishing a photography studio in the garage which should be done in the next few days!

It’s funny being at the shop and since we are there so much most people don’t actually know that I do photography full time. One of my favorite things about owning my business is having 3 girls I want them to know that if they work hard and set their mind to it, they can do anything they want. I love that I get to be a living example of that for them.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Most of my inquiries come from personal referrals, because I fully believe in what I have to offer to people and the experience they get in the process. Fostering those relationships and showing clients you care by giving them valuable information, products and services does so much marketing for your business in itself. At the end of the day if you believe in what you have to offer and can convey and demonstrate that to others, that will show in your inquiries and business.

Also relationships with others in the same industry. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely so having others in the same field that understand how you feel and share ideas with is vital. Me and my friends in the industry have shared a lot of inquiries with each other, if we are booked we send them each other’s way.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think as an entrepreneur our work feels personal, because it is. It’s our own style, ideas, work and eye that we dedicate ourselves to. Our work feels like an extension of ourselves. We show up to do what we do because we deeply care and have a passion for it. The saying “I quit my 9-5 to work 24/7” is so incredibly true. I don’t think people realize that while there is all the glamour of working for yourself, setting your own rules, hours and goals, it also comes with so much dedication, emotion and learning to be friends with failure.

Another thing I don’t think is talked about enough is being a mom and entrepreneur. I get to play both sides of the coin “stay at home mom” and “business owner” and learning how things come in seasons and there isn’t quite such thing as “work life balance” is really tough but also encouraging to know that if you’re going through that, you’re not alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alexmccraryphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexmccraryphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexmccraryphotography