We were lucky to catch up with Mallory Kessel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mallory, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I made as a business owner was hiring a business coach. I was referred to Justine of Just a Wild Thought by my friend Kaylee who runs her own graphic design and production business, Kindling Design Co. Kaylee worked with Justine and couldn’t recommend her enough. At the time, I was still working a 9-5 job while building my photography business so it didn’t seem like the right time until June 2021 when I was laid off and went full-time with my photography that same day. The panic inevitably set in and I felt like I was drowning and couldn’t find the surface. I reached out to Justine and we set up a discovery call. After just one session with Justine, I had a sense of direction and experienced relief. She asked the right questions and allowed me the space and comfort to explore my goals and what I wanted to do next. While working with Justine, my mindset completely shifted in the most beautiful way. She helped me recognize my talent, my power, and my capability to run my business and to do it well. Without this investment in myself, I would not be where I am today and I am forever grateful.

Mallory, 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?

I am originally from Colorado where I began practicing photography by shooting film as a sophomore in high school. I experimented with various film cameras, developed my own film, and enlarged my own images in the darkroom. I continued to shoot exclusively with film through high school and into college. I attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado where I majored in psychology, minored in education, and enrolled in photography electives. In 2014, I purchased my first digital camera and began working as a product photographer at a local toy store in downtown Boulder.

In December of 2016, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree and booked a one way ticket to Thailand. I quit my serving job and traveled around Southeast Asia for a few months. I visited Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Taiwan, and Indonesia. I literally flew around the world and did a lot of soul searching. I met new people, reconnected with old friends, experienced different cultures, and took A LOT of pictures. My camera became a tool to tell my story, not just used to complete assignments. When I returned home to Colorado, I created Mallory Kessel Photography.

In May of 2018, I decided to relocated to San Diego, California without a job or a place to live. I got my real estate license and built my photography business simultaneously. I began posting ads on Craigslist for $50 photoshoots and worked with my first few clients. I integrated myself into the San Diego photography community and realized that this is what I wanted to work towards. I wanted to celebrate people and capture beautiful, authentic memories for them to look back on. I shot every day, worked various serving and real estate jobs to pay the bills, and built my client base. I attended photography meetups and eventually started booking various photoshoots. Then came a sudden halt – the pandemic. It was no longer safe to socialize and people’s priorities changed. I used that time to explore other aspects of photography, like landscapes and self portraits. I was working as an escrow assistant but needed a creative outlet more than ever. I went into the office every weekday and pursued photography nights and weekends. Flash forward to June of 2021 when I was laid off from my job. I became a full-time photographer that day and devoted all of my time to my passion.

I like to describe myself as an experience photographer. I photograph people during special moments in their lives – no matter how big or small. Whether I am there to capture your first kiss at the altar, branding photos for your new business, self love portraits, moving into your first home with your partner, backstage photos of your band before you take the stage – they are all special. My style is candid and photojournalistic meant to document what a moment looked like and more importantly, felt like. The overall goal is to capture raw emotions, genuine personality, and your true essence. I achieve this by creating a safe space for my clients and capture them in the most authentic and unscripted way possible. This is their experience to be captured and I am there to elevate it. Whether that means I am stepping into the role of assistant, therapist, hype girl – I’m ready. I want to capture your love of nature, your business, your significant other, and especially yourself. Your existence is beautiful and you deserve to be celebrated.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Where to begin?! I have to say one of the most rewarding aspects of being a photographer is the vulnerability from both my clients and myself. Doing what I do, I am invited into people’s lives and given their trust which is a responsibility not lost on me. Documenting a glimpse into someone’s existence authentically is intimate and requires vulnerability, but it doesn’t always come easy! It is a two way street when it comes to building trust and developing this kind of partnership so I happily answer any questions my clients have to help them get to know me and feel more comfortable. Since launching my photography business, I have met so many wonderful people who started as potential clients but soon became friends who I regularly chat and grab a cup of coffee with. I’ve been hired and rehired to capture their life’s progression and they have witnessed my growth as a creative and entrepreneur. This is a dream come true – somebody pinch me!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Since going full-time with my business, simply putting myself out there more on social media and in my community have paid off tremendously. I have become a huge fan of TikTok because it is a platform that prioritizes relatable content that allows one’s personality to shine. Showing up as my truest self on social media has lead me to some of my favorite clients. Not only am I able to showcase my work, but the trust building process begins before we even speak because a potential client feels as though they already know me. Another great source for attracting new clients has been referrals. Typically if you are deciding between two businesses, one of which you found on Yelp and the other was recommended by a friend, you would probably lean towards the business recommended by a friend, right? Especially if your friend has worked with that business first hand!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mallorykesselphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instragram.com/mallorykesselphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mallorykesselphoto
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mallorykessel
• Other: TikTok: @mallorykesselphoto