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

Maggie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

I think the tragedy as a creative and artistic individual who has set out to become successful outside of the confines of what is considered a “typical” way to make a living, has got to be the general misunderstanding surrounding it.

When I first started out as a photographer, the initial reaction of others was usually a lack of seriousness about what it was that I actually did.

No matter the hours I spent researching the most sensible camera bodies and lenses or the profound investments in them that came afterwards, enrolling in online courses to ensure I had a stronghold on all of my equipment and camera settings before I began capturing moments, mentoring with other photographers, or most importantly…the slow process of curating what my specific style would be and creating a recognizable name for myself that now has me traveling the world and working with couples who choose me specifically for my vision and style of storytelling.

Phew. If I could only print all that on a t-shirt…

The long and short of it is that you’re creating your own source of security and means on which to thrive. The necessary gusto to do that is astounding. If we’re talking about an honest to goodness, client focused, multi-platform, niched down business. Seriously, so impressive.

In the end, how much blame or frustration can you really throw on the individuals who don’t exist in your own day to day. You know what you’ve done to get to the point where you knew this was something serious and profound. When you hold onto that, it’s the best source of motivation for even more growth even if it comes with a side of being misunderstood.

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?

For sure!

I’ve been a destination wedding and elopement photographer for the last five years, with an unexpected start.

It all started with sewing. Seriously. A creative at heart I’ve dabbled in most artistic mediums and when I took up sewing it just clicked in a way that I got hooked. Etsy shop, retail stores, markets, I freaking loved it.

When you create products to sell online, your marketing has to be unique and lovely. Queue photography. I bought a simple Nikon point and shoot so I could do my own marketing. Just the act of taking those photos, editing them and soon enough incorporating models into the product shoots, a shift happened.

I realized photography was going to be it for me. I started out slow and steady, taking on mostly families, senior sessions, maybe 1-3 weddings the first 2 years. Basically the photographer’s starter kit.

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

Solving a problem with a passion.

I heard this term or read it in a book about a year into starting photography, it stuck with me.

If there’s one thing I’ve heard time and time and time again from my couples is the unease they feel in front of the lens. I myself am one of the most socially awkward individuals you will meet. Promise.

The lovely thing about this coincidence is that I can truly put myself in their shoes and it is also the reason behind my specific type of storytelling. Rather than focusing on the couple I focus on their connection, I prompt them with meaningful things “tell each other what you’re thinking with your eyes only”, “touch your favorite part of their face”, “what’s the weirdest thing about the other”. The results are all golden.

Couple that with my adoration for capturing all of these magic moments and it’s simply a match made in storytelling heaven.

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

Let’s be honest, photography is a saturated market.

I did and still do get caught up in the comparisons and dreaded “imposter” syndrome. You’ll question your talent, efforts, art. It’s awful.

This has been a common thread since starting out and something I will need to face regularly as platforms change (looking at you Instagram algorithm..) and interests morph in regards to how people interact with your art.

I’ve had to come back full circle every time to remind myself that as long as I stick to capturing moments the way that I love to and the way that has brought me all of my amazing couples and opportunities, then I will stand the test of time and that there will always be room at the table for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rootsandwilds.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandwilds/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandwildsphoto

Image Credits
Roots + Wilds Photography