We recently connected with Mallory Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mallory, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

One of the main reasons I fell in love with photography is because I love hearing peoples stories. Stories, like photos, are passed down for years. They become heirlooms in a way. I am blessed to have the privilege of telling a chapter of peoples stories through my lens. Whether it’s a wedding, a party, an engagement session, a proposal, or a boudoir session, I get to take this slice of time and make it something permanent. Freezing these fleeting moments so they can live on forever in light is the ultimate honor. It honestly feels like a superpower sometimes.
So, my legacy is left in all of this. In the homes and hearts of all the clients and people I have worked with and captured through the years. Even if they forget my name, the photos are forever.

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

My name is Mallory. I’m a professional photographer who is based in the high country of the Rocky Mountains, nestled in a beautiful little valley, but I’m exploring life with my camera worldwide.

I describe my work in 3 words: magical, warm, and natural.
I’m ultimately inspired by the magic of life and the nature that surrounds us no matter where we are. The little moments swirling in light all around us every day feel like something that deserves to be immortalized. The warmth in my work comes from both the warm tones I seek, and the warmth I aim to bring to sessions from myself.

I specialize in couples (elopements, weddings, & engagements), boudoir, and small business branding sessions. I dabble in other work here and there, I like trying new things and keeping it interesting, but these are the types of photography I always circle back to and shoot the most of.

I try to approach every session with the idea of trying something new. This might be a new pose I’ve never done, a new prompt to use with a couple, a different way to compose an image, a new trendy effect to explore, or maybe a new place I’ve never been before. A photographer I love said this is what she does to constantly keep herself interested in her own work, and I think it’s a beautiful way to surprise yourself.

I obviously love incredible photos. I love amazing light. I want all of my photography to be as beautiful as possible. But I tell my clients in my consultations that I value authenticity over aesthetic. If a moment is unfolding in front of me that deserves to be captured, but the light is weird and the environment isn’t ideal… I’m not going to interrupt this for a “better” photo. The moment is what makes it. Not the light. Not the trendy effect that can be used. These things can make a photo more instagram worthy and more appealing to a strangers eyes. But the real moments are going to be the ones my clients look at 20 years down the road. When the trends have faded, when the styles of photography have undoubtedly changed, they will still look at this moment and feel how they felt. I want to take photos that transport people back in time to a moment they thought they wouldn’t experience again.

Last but definitely not least, I love all people. In all the ways they come. Everyone is welcome with me. All genders, all sexual orientations, all races, religions, cultures, and abilities.
All humans (and animals) are welcome in my space and in front of my camera.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I fell in love with photography at a very young age. I would excitedly take rolls of film and disposable cameras up to my local CVS and Walgreens. Over the years I would make scrap books of all of my photos (that I still have today). I was 12 when I joined a film developing club at my middle school and went head over heels for the art I could create with cameras.
From there, I played with a lot of different visual arts to find what I loved the most, but it always came back to photography. At 19, I bought my very first DSLR with money from a summer job and started working with an amazing photographer, friend, and mentor, Sheila Goode. I would take on my own clients from time to time, working with families, couples, and a few weddings of my own.
In the summer of 2014, I went to Greece for a study abroad program where I studied photography and ceramics. This was the experience that I believe solidified that I wanted to pursue photography as a career.

But, despite all of this experience and the wealth of knowledge that I received from working with so many incredible people over the years, I decided I wanted to buckle down and learn more.

I could have easily continued on my path, taken on more clients and went full time on my own. You don’t need a formal education to work in this field. But, I made a decision to go back to school for professional photography. I uprooted my life, moved to Colorado, and started over.
I attended the professional photography program at Colorado Mountain College’s Isaacson School of New Media. The program is intensive and demanding. And I learned SO much. I went to school for 2.5 years, and during this time I honed my skills while discovering exactly who I was as an artist.
I catapulted my way right out of school into the professional field of photography. It gave me the confidence, knowledge, and skills to make the jump.

I moved out here 7 years ago this year, and I’m so glad that I did it. Taking a leap of faith and changing my life was the best thing I ever could have done!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

This won’t be a long winded one – because the answer is simple. The most rewarding aspect of my work is being able to capture and deliver a special moment in time that ultimately becomes a family heirloom.
Photos live forever. People and moments do not. But the images allow moments to live through generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mallorywilliams.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mallorywilliams
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mallorywilliamsphotography
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywphoto/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/malloryw_photo
• Other: Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/MalloryWilliamsPhotography/