We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Genevieve Ma’yet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Genevieve, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made?
Until recently, I have never taken any photography course or had instruction.
This story is not about a best or worst, but a future investment. When I first started taking photographs, I jumped in with both feet and felt that thinking was unnecessary,
I got camera, I got lens, I point and click, I make memories and scene.
With that mentality, I went on some rather epic road trips to Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Big Bend.
I did get some brilliant photos out of the trip, but being a couple years more experienced, after taking my sole photography course, there are many photography choices I would have changed.
However, I did still make some grand memories that I love sharing.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello I am Ma’yet owner of I.T.O.S. Photography.
The name and logo of my company were created by high school students I taught.
I.T.O.S. means Inner Thoughts Outward Shots and this company would not have started without their encouragement.
I am still a part-time science teacher working my ash off to become a full time photographer.
It all started in 2020 when we had nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Every Sunday I would take time lapse videos of the sunrise and share them with my students. While I was siting there with my phone capturing the sunrise, I would mutter, “I wish I had a camera to take photos of all this beauty.
That lead to speaking with my good friend Amy Maddox, who is a brilliant wedding photographer,. She guided me toward my first camera and kit lens which prompted me to begin taking photos of everything.
After that initial rush, I have honed in to nature and wildlife photography and soon to create my own YouTube channel.
I capture natural moments, like a Heron Pooping, a Osprey shaking its feather mid flight after a dip in the ocean, or a red sun captured through the smoke of a wildfire.
Lastly, my goal is to keep my photos affordable so that all people can enjoy or share in these experiences.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I started my business in 2021 and since that time, I have moved three times, been unable to photograph that often, and felt as if my wheels are spinning in the mud.
I have not sold a piece in a year, but with all the moving I have instead focused on updating my portfolio and skillset to be the best photographer I can be.
The need to work extra jobs or to continue to work as teacher instead of being full time as a photographer is frustrating.
Like anyone, I doubt myself, question my sanity, but then I remember the joy and satisfaction photography brings me and those around me.
Photography is my passion, it is my love, and I will either find a way or make one.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Photography is expensive! There is no other way to say it and just like computers, there is always new gear, better gear, or just a new shiny thing to make your kit stellar.
A mistake I made early, was buying a MacBook Pro, now I am not saying anything negative or blasting Mac, but the issue I discovered (too late) is that the computers are not upgradeable.
As my workflow has increased, my MacBook could not keep up and it cannot be upgraded. For the last two years I have been editing photos at a snails pace with the computer nearly over heating constantly, or just freezing and needing to be restarted.
Mac products are great, but I recently purchased a gaming computer from MSI, and that has rocked my world.
If you are just starting out, look into gaming computer for your photography needs. They have everything you will need already built in and many of them are upgradeable which makes them even more in enticing.
Additionally, gear wise, this year I upgraded my camera body and traded in my 200-600mm supertelephoto lens for a 70-200mm telephotolens and I have taken the best photos of my life.
Long story short, your gear matters. It does not mean you cannot be successful or brilliant with your current gear, but what I discovered is that newer (more advanced) gear takes your shot and elevates them.
For example, I traded in my Sony a9 with 24mpx/frame for the Sony a7rV which has 61mpx/frame and the resolution difference blew my mind. Still taking the same photos, but now I have a camera that records more detail in higher resolution which allows me to make larger prints or crop shots without worrying about the image’s pixel structure becoming visible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itosphotography.com/
- Instagram: itosphotography
- Facebook: ITOSPhotography
Image Credits
© I.T.O.S. Photography