We recently connected with Makenzie Harris and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Makenzie, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the biggest trends I see happening in the wedding industry is that more and more couples are wanting to add more intentionality to their wedding by focusing on what represents them the most, and a lot of the time, this means eloping. I don’t just mean running away to Vegas or hopping down to city hall (although that does happen), but they are having an intentional and unique to them elopement experience. More often than not, it’s a full day worth of adventure because they really want to make a whole special day out of it.

It’ll usually play out something like this. Wake up together and have breakfast, write letters to each other, get dressed (separated or even helping each other), open your letters to each other, the first look, take a drive to your location via rented car, have a mountain top or beach side picnic, find the perfect spot to say your vows and I do’s, pop some Champagne, take some portraits in the spot you said I do, have your first dance as a married couple, make some art together, and then to top it all off, head back to your Airbnb for a dinner that a private chef prepared or book a restaurant (privately or with loved ones) for a fun reception dinner to celebrate.

This is one of those things where they can add in their own fun activities to even make it more unique as well, like sky diving, hot air balloon rides, hiking, swimming/snorkeling, or just any fun activity that represents the two of them best. A lot of couples are opting for this rout because they’ve been to enough big weddings in their life time and they want this to be a moment to just them, or maybe for budget reasons, or even just to make their wedding feel more like an adventure. Whatever the reason, it’s becoming a popular trend in this industry, and one I don’t see going away any time soon.

Makenzie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Makenzie, I am the owner of Makenzie’s Design. I am a destination wedding and adventure elopement photographer based in TX, and I travel world wide. When I’m not documenting adorable love stories or traveling, I’m at home in my fuzzy socks with a fresh cup of coffee and probably binge watching tv shows.

I have always been in love with the idea of elopements and intimate style weddings. When I was little, my mom told me about elopements and my eyes were just open to the possibilities of where you could get married, how many guests came to those (if any), how much you could personalize it with things you like to do vs just old traditions normally take place. And from then on, I knew that one day I would elope or have a destination wedding when my big day came, I was going to make it fun and unique to me and my fiancé.

Now, this is what I do for my couples too. Not only do I photograph their big day, I help them figure out how to customize their day to make it fun and unique to them, and figure out what will give it that extra special feeling. I’m the HYPE GIRL and my couples’ biggest asset. We schedule a consultation call from the moment they find me, and they will tell me what phase they are in their planning process, and from there I will help them get anything else they need such as; vendor recommendations, timeline planning, location recommendations, help advise them on permits they need, etc. I’m there for them every step of the way! Whether I’m squealing in excitement when they send me a pic of their wedding dress, or I’m there to reassure them if things get stressful. I am with my couples till their big day comes, and then I capture those moments for them in a way they will cherish forever.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best source of finding new clients has been social media. Whether it’s Instagram or Facebook, a lot of my couples are either part of a group that are looking for photographers, or they are on Instagram and see previous couples I’ve shot with or find the helpful tips I try to provide about eloping and destination weddings. Being able to provide information and tips about my industry, I believe, is a big selling point because then they feel like they can trust me and come to me with questions they have about their wedding.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being a creative in general makes me feel accomplished with my work. The fact that it’s not only a way to express myself but a way to make other people happy as well, it’s so much more enjoyable than any other career I could have imagined myself in. I love capturing love, life, and special moments, and just being able to help tell stories. I think being a photographer is rewarding for me in that it does all that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makenziesdesign.com/photography
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/makenzies_design
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakenziesDesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/makenzies-design/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/makenzies-design-dallas

Image Credits
Makenzies Design, Mentopia Productions, Jessica Frigge