Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaggieAnn Otto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
MaggieAnn, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In our world today we often feel like we are just one in the crowd, no different than everyone else. But the truth is, each person is so beautiful in their nuanced qualities and characteristics. The little personality quirks we all have set us apart in the most amazing and beautiful way. As an Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photographer my vision for each of my couples, and what I aim to help them achieve during the planning process and photo taking, is a wedding that they can wholly enjoy without getting caught up in the trends and pressures society has crafted for weddings, making their uniqueness and beauty as a couple shine. Everyone is so unique, with different stories and different personalities, that to have a cookie cutter experience is to take away the power of being one of a kind. Each twinkle of an eye, belly rolling laughter, or just the faint hint of a smile that eludes to a story of the past, deserves to be shown in its reality, not the same poses, same venues, same problems. The special little differences that make everyone and their story special to them is what drives me and my business, Photos by MaggieAnn. I believe that they not only should be but deserve to be captured in such a way. Imagine starting your new life together by sharing the vibrant experience of weaving your stories together.
MaggieAnn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Photos by MaggieAnn started out when I was 6 years old and my grandma put a camera in my hand. In the years to follow my eye for detail and love for photography grew. By the time I reached high school I was professionally taking photos for various events and weddings. Wedding photography eventually burnt me out so following my high school years I went to college, leaving my camera to collect dust. This was definitely not the right fit for me. It didn’t take long for me to remember why I loved photography. I really had missed meeting all the different people hearing all their various stories and backgrounds. The love stories from couples soon to be wed was really what made me smile. So, with that I started rebuilding Photos by MaggieAnn. In Spring of 2022, on the heels of a broken engagement, I moved from the California’s Central Valley to Memphis, TN. After personally experiencing the push from all the wedding craze and seeing what brides go through, I started to see weddings as just another show, and just another bandwagon of trends and stressors of its own. I set my heart and my camera to finding a path to break away from the normal routine and create something new, exciting, and uniquely expressive for my clients. Now in Tennessee, starting my life anew, I have dived fully into adventure elopements and intimate weddings. Pairing my camera with planning experience I help my couples dream and plan their perfect day. I love the in-depth relationship it allows me to build with them, helping me capture their beautiful, unique stories all the more.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My whole life seems to be one pivot after another. From photography to college and back and engagement to singleness and a cross country move. Each life pivot has brought so many hurdles, setbacks, and blessings in my personal and business life. One of the most life changing pivots was to leave college. After getting home, my life was a mess. I didn’t know what path I should be on or even what I wanted life to look like. It was difficult to go back to the drawing board. While I was deciding what to do with my life, I decided to pick my camera back up. My goodness! It felt good. I remembered the beauty of slowing down and taking in the small details life has to offer. The wind in the trees, a flower growing out of a crack in the asphalt or the glint in someone’s eyes. I started to photograph people more and more finding joy in the connections and special millisecond facial reactions. I started to crave learning more and more about it so I sought out a mentor. Chris Orwig, (look him up, he is incredible!) and others, took my basic knowledge of people pictures to another level. They challenged my creative eye, people skills, and shyness. I took a photo of my brother in the snow that changed everything. In just a simple picture, there was so much depth and emotion to behold. My brother was stunned by those photos. That was the moment I decided I was going to put everything into photography. I was going to not hold back and not let anything hold me down. Chris was a launch pad for my dreams. Now, with the tools he and all my other mentors taught me, I look for those special connections that make people sparkle. I ask myself during all of my photoshoots, How can I show this person, this couple how beautiful they are? How can I show them themselves in a way that they never dreamed to view themselves as before; beautiful, special, important.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My move across the country really tested me as a person and my dedication to my craft. Recently engaged, I packed up my life moving to Memphis, Tennessee. Nothing waiting for me here except hurdles and big dreams. A few months after moving, the engagement was called off, He went back to California and I stayed to dedicate even more time and passion to my business, Photos by MaggieAnn. Building a social life was painstakingly slow. For a solid 5 months I was alone, working long hours, going toe to toe with my worst fears and doubts. But then the friends came, and with a social life slowly growing I was able to unload some of my doubts and fears. Starting my business fresh from the ground up has been both a blessing and a curse. With a blank slate, I was easily able to rebrand and refocus my business. Being able to present myself and my business as what I want it to be not what it has been is a blessing. It’s like starting a marathon fresh from the start rather than going from the gym, tired and drained. But starting fresh can also feel like quicksand. I reach the top of the mountain just to realize it actually keeps rising. I am coming up on a year of living here in Memphis and my life is not what I thought it would be. It is so much better. My photography is gaining momentum and I learn new tips every day. I have not reached the finish line of this marathon, But I know it is coming. I can see it and it is so exhilarating. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.photosbymaggieann.com/
- Instagram: @photos_by_maggieann
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaggieAnnOtto