We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsay Marullo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being an artist requires so much emotional investment. Sometimes it feels like having a more conventional job would allow me to disconnect a bit of myself from the work, making it less emotionally taxing. But I think fundamentally that emotion factor is such a deep rooted part of who I am and thus the art I feel driven to create.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I feel like most photographers talk about having a passion for photography from a young age, but I consider myself a late bloomer. Growing up I was determined to be an actress or performer. For reasons that may never be fully clear to me, I placed those dreams aside and chose a. more conventional path. I attended cosmetology school and spent a few years as a hair and makeup artist. It wasn’t until my first child was born that I picked up a DSLR for the first time. I remember wanting to document his every move, I was so in awe of his mere existence. I decided to take some photography courses at a local art school and soon after decided I wanted to learn everything I could so I could start my own photography business. Honestly it didn’t take me very long. One of the advantages of ADHD is how quickly we can master something when we’re truly motivated. My business grew pretty organically. I put out a couple of model calls in the social media mom’s group I was in and I quickly went from portfolio sessions to being fully booked with paying clients. Word of mouth spread like wildfire. I was still learning the ins and outs of running a business as I went along. I had to figure out how to make a website, run my social media account, how to invoice clients and collect payments. One of my biggest struggles always seemed to be when it came to setting boundaries. I had a very difficult time saying ‘no’ to anything. I always wanted to make my clients happy, even if that meant bending my own rules or limits. It took my first ever client complaint to make me realize that by constantly giving too much, I was lessening my value. I was undercharging, over-delivering, and not standing behind the value in my services and product. It took me some time, self reflection, and lot’s of positive affirmations but I finally started working on a business model that was not only more sustainable, but also more professional and reflective of my quality of work. I often think about what sets me apart from the sea of other very talented photographers in the industry. I consider my photos to be timeless and raw. And although I feel they’re powerful all on their own, I truly believe my client experience is what makes my sessions special. I’m incredibly down to earth and empathetic. I have photographed women and families in all stages of life, invited into people’s lives at their most vulnerable times. I’ve sat with freshly postpartum moms when they just needed an ear and someone to hold space for all they were feeling and experiencing. I’ll take extra time with a little one who’s having a hard time and not at all vibing with a camera in their face. I’ll make sure you’re family feels seen and documented accordingly, because the photos are so much more than everyone looking at the camera and smiling. I’m here for the fleeting in between moments. As a mom I watch my own kids grow at rates that defy time and logic. What I wouldn’t do to revisit those little moments that are fading in my memory. That’s why I approach my sessions in a very individualized way. I want them to be a means to a time capsule. Something tangible you can revisit again and again.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Find ways to cultivate a community with artists! We all benefit from art. It’s where we turn when life feels heavy yet it is so easy to be dismissive and undervalue it. I think we need to center art and artists more. Art should be everywhere. Even if we can’t afford to directly support artists, we should be promoting them every chance we can.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t think I’ve done my best work yet. In my mind there will be one image that comes along and serves as some kind of ‘career piece.’ Whether that’s realistic or logical, I’m not sure. But there’s this underlying feeling of chasing that perfect image. Something that embodies everything I’ve worked for all these years. There’s a bit of a thrill to never feeling totally accomplished. A welcome challenge.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lindsaymarullo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lindsaymarullo_photo