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

Maggie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I first started planning my photography business, I wasn’t sure what to name it. Most photographers go by their name (Ex: Maggie Karanja Photography). At the time I felt that my maiden name would be too complicated. I could only hear the mispronunciations that I was all too familiar with growing up.

One night I had a dream of a business name, Stepping Stones Photography. I decided to go with that, because I do capture someone’s next step in life.

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

My story begins when I joined an art class in high school. I quickly realized I wasn’t very talented at drawing (that gene skipped me) so I took up photography. In college, I decided to study visual communications, and during my freshman year a friend gave me a camera which I took everywhere I went. The passion flamed and I began documenting the life around me. I had many opportunities to work in a studio with videographers and photograph several events including football games (I almost got hit by a 6’5” 250lb football player when another photographer pulled me out of the way).

While in college, I also started offering sessions on the side to people. Family sessions, graduation sessions, you name it, I did it all. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta to start my career as a photographer and graphic designer. Although I was photographing people for their headshots or events, I missed the interaction, relationship building, and creativity of working with clients. Thus Stepping Stones was born! I began designing my brand and launched Stepping Stones Photography in October of 2020.

I am most proud of doing what brings me joy. I am the type of person who avoids difficult things and I was adamant about going through the hurdles of starting a small business and bracing through the mental capacity needed to work a full-time job and run a small business. Since July 2022, I am proud to say that I am officially doing my business full time.

I am a fine art, documentary wedding photographer. I like to mix real life moments with a few naturally posed, timeless portraits, so at the end of the day the couple has a collection of memories that are authentic and that they can cherish forever. What drives me are real people, and real moments. That’s what I love about wedding days! It’s about the little moments that turn into big moments. The people who were there all along and will forever be cheering you on. Their next step documented, shared, and treasured. My images will always reflect the truth of the couple’s day, shot in a timeless and artistic way.

I’m known for capturing real moments and for making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love meeting my clients prior to any session, not only to talk about the details but to get to know them. I believe this is essential to capturing real moments by creating a natural atmosphere that promotes confidence during our sessions.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My philosophy on wedding photography is that photos aren’t the most important part of your wedding day. Weird thing for a photographer to say, right? But it’s true! My number one goal on every wedding day is that the two people getting married enjoy their day to its fullest—and then amazing photos are the byproduct of that. The framers and posed photos definitely have their place on a wedding day, but the best wedding galleries are filled with those amazing portraits and candid photos that remind the couple of all the special little moments in between the posed portraits.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I had been taking pictures for years before my business started. I took my camera with me everywhere I went, so people naturally thought of me when they needed their graduation photos, or family photos done. I then thought, “why not turn this into a business?” for tax reasons of course. At this point I was working a full time job, and had some savings that I dipped in for starting cost. I gave myself $4,000 to start my business, with the intention that after I spent it, that was it. If my business took off, it took off, if it didn’t, it didn’t … I’m so grateful it took off!

Now that I was making some side income, I had to decide how to spend the money. I love this scripture from the Bible that says, “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”. This literally applies to all life, even business. Every software, shiny new camera, any big flashing object that says “buy me, I’m useful”, is not always the most beneficial way to spend your money starting out. Overtime I saved to buy that new camera and useful software.

After figuring out a marketing strategy and ways to promote my business, I started booking clients and they started referring me to others. Customer experience is key to growing a business. Photography isn’t merely transactional, but it’s a way for you to love others and serve them in the process.

A year and a half after I started my business, it began to get really difficult to balance a full time job and my business. I was working 8-5 during the day and then working on my business that night and weekends. Not a sustainable lifestyle, or healthy may I add. After a lot of advice, and looking at business finances, I decided to take the plunge into doing my business full time. It’s amazing what God can do with a little bit of faith. The flood gates opened.

So as of July 2022, Stepping Stones Photography is officially full time!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.steppingstonesphoto.xyz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steppingstonesphoto/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steppingstonesphoto

Image Credits
@steppingstonesphoto