Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maranda Lefebvre. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Maranda , thanks for joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

My career in art has been a slow-developing journey. Art was always my go-to activity as a child, my favorite class, and the one thing I genuinely felt I was “good” at. I wasn’t overly interested in many subjects in school and often struggled with my ADHD. However, as I got into high school, I started painting more and more for fun—and I loved it!
In my small Appalachian high school, we didn’t have any photography classes. While I thought photography was interesting, I wasn’t given the opportunity to learn about it then. I remember my amazing art teacher, Joan Lansford, who set up an easel in the corner of her pottery class so I could paint instead of sculpt. The other students would ask why I got to paint, and she’d tell them something like, “Maranda is going to college for art, so she gets to do this.” She even took me to Atlanta to have my portfolio reviewed by colleges, giving me the confidence to apply to art programs.

Chasing my dream to become a fine art painter, I ended up attending Brevard College in Brevard, NC to major in painting. However, along the way, I took so many photography courses that I ultimately graduated with a double major in painting and photography. During college, I was never drawn to family photography. I found them to be a boring and stiff subject to photograph—They always remind me of those super-awkward posed family photos that were all the rage in the 90’s. Instead, I took a lot of portraits and self-portraits. I became fascinated by photography that documented people’s lives from the perspective of a “fly on the wall”. This approach is still at the forefront of my photography.
After college, I started getting requests to take photos for friends’ families or their senior portraits. I would take these jobs reluctantly, but I always ended up enjoying the experience.

Around 2016, while pregnant with my first son and living in Charleston, SC, I became part of some Facebook groups for artists. Instagram was also gaining popularity at this time, which exposed me to a wide range of art, including the amazing photography industry—especially family photography, maternity, and motherhood centered portraits. I became obsessed with photography that incorporated the unposed, genuine elements I loved but presented in a beautiful, modern way geared towards families and children. Seeing that it was possible to document families and provide photography in this style ignited a passion in me. I was eager to create that kind of art myself.

This was when I really hit the ground running. I started learning everything I could about becoming a professional photographer and business owner. I took countless free or heavily discounted sessions to practice, learn, and build my portfolio. After working for free for a while, I finally decided to open my LLC and make my business official. Hoping to occasionally paint or create other art, I strategically named my business “Heirloom & Oil LLC”—a nod to my love for my own family’s photographs, creating heirloom-quality photos for other families, and my love of oil painting.

Maranda , 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?

My name is Maranda LeFebvre, and I’m the photographer and owner of Heirloom & Oil LLC. I was born and raised in Franklin, NC, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Growing up in a rural area with no neighborhood kids, I spent much of my time outdoors with my brother and our pets, as well as developing a deep love for creating art. My mother was our local newspaper’s photographer, and I was captivated by the black-and-white film photos she took of our family. My Nana had countless family photos, some so old we didn’t even know who the people were. I loved looking through these treasured images. This early exposure to the importance of heritage and family photos undoubtedly sparked my passion for photography.

After graduation from Brevard College, I moved to Charleston, SC, where I worked various jobs outside the art world—from food and beverage to accounting for an architecture firm, and even as a full-time nanny for twin babies. These diverse experiences taught me invaluable lessons that I now apply as a business owner. I met my husband, and we started our family. It was during this period that I began to seriously reflect on what I wanted to do with my life. As I transitioned out of my nanny job to focus on my own growing family, I realized that I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about while still being present for my loved ones. Lifestyle photography caught my interest, and I dedicated myself to building a portfolio, honing my technical skills, and learning the ins and outs of running a photography business. I took on many free sessions to refine my craft and build a strong portfolio. I officially launched Heirloom & Oil LLC while we were stationed in Jacksonville, FL for my husbands job with the Navy.

At Heirloom & Oil LLC, I specialize in family, maternity, newborn, milestone, and event photography. My editing style is bold, vibrant, and sometimes a bit moody. I have a particular love for capturing candid, “unposed” moments. In addition to my primary photography services, I also take on contracted and associate photographer jobs in San Diego and the surrounding areas. Outside of photography, I enjoy painting, sewing, crocheting, and gardening—always eager to try new crafts.

As a mother of three boys, I understand how stressful it can be to schedule, plan, and complete a family photo session. My goal is to create a relaxed, and enjoyable experience for the entire family while capturing meaningful moments that translate into lasting memories. To ease my clients’ worries, I scout ideal locations, offer a client closet, and ensure that the session is both fun and stress-free by building rapport early on during the session. I believe that when kids are allowed to play and have fun, they’re more relaxed, leading to genuine smiles and beautiful photos.

Looking back on my journey, I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done over the years. When I look through my hard drives filled with images, I can see the growth I’ve made as a photographer and business owner.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are so many things that keep me passionate about being a professional creative. On a personal level, creating art is both therapeutic and deeply rewarding. I genuinely enjoy the process of making something from start to finish, whether it’s sewing, painting, or editing a photo session. The satisfaction of seeing the finished product is an instant dopamine hit! It also helps when old clients reach out when they have baby number two or would love to update their family photos.

Working professionally with clients is equally fulfilling. I love my clients—they are a huge part of what keeps me motivated. Even now, I still get excited when I receive a new inquiry. Professional photography has introduced me to so many incredible people, from clients, fellow photographers, and small business owners. It’s also led me to exciting event locations and allowed me to explore new areas for sessions. Going to amazing locations at sunset for work is really such a dream job! The connections I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had through this work bring a lot of happiness to my life. It’s rewarding to know that I’ve captured moments families will cherish forever.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

If you’re going to be in the art world or be self-employed, you have to be prepared for tough times. Resilience is essential—you need to be able to pick yourself back up and keep going. My resilience has been tested many times throughout my career. With my husband being active duty military, our family has had to move frequently, which means relocating both our lives and my business to entirely new areas whenever we’re told to. Rebuilding my client base after every move has been a huge challenge and has at times made me feel like I’m starting completely over.

As a mom of three little boys, I’d be lying if I said that motherhood hasn’t impacted the pace of my career growth. Each time I had a child, it felt like my business took several steps back. There were moments when I seriously considered quitting, especially during the first years of owning my business. There were times I couldn’t take on jobs because I was caring for a new baby or dealing with my husband’s deployments. I couldn’t afford to hire childcare without guaranteed work lined up, so I worked around my husband’s schedule, often editing photos in the small windows of time I could find, working while holding my babies as they slept.

Yet, every time I felt like giving up, something would reignite my passion—whether it was a request for maternity photos, a family session, or when my husband gives me a pep talk of loving support. These moments made me feel excited and hopeful again, reminding me why I chose this path. Even with the challenges of owning a small business I wouldn’t have it any other way and I wake up everyday grateful to be doing what I truly love!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heirloomandoil.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heirloomandoil_photo

Image Credits

Heirloom & Oil LLC