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

Marik, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

Getting my first client was one of the most exciting moments ever. Back in June 2024, I had just finished editing photos from a recent shoot and thought, Alright, I’m done for the day. But then, out of nowhere, I got a DM on Instagram from a model I had only worked with once at a previous photo workshop. She asked, What are your rates?

At that point, I had only been working TFP (trade/time-for-prints) and the thought of making money had always been stressful for me. But this amazing model wanted to book me, so we set up a shoot for digitals. I even created a comp card for fun, just to help her out. Turns out, that extra effort paid off, because they ended up getting signed to a well-represented agency in Atlanta.

That moment made me realize my work had real value. It wasn’t just about taking pictures or being a hobbyist photographer it was about helping people move forward in their careers. That was the day that I made what i would consider my first real dollar.

Marik, 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?

Hey, I’m Marik, a fashion and lifestyle photographer based in North Georgia. My love for photography started early, tagging along with my dad on his video and photo projects, but I officially began my own journey in 2023. What started as casual shoots with friends quickly grew into something bigger as I attended photography meetups across Atlanta, networking with models, designers, and other creatives. My style blends high-fashion aesthetics with authentic moments, allowing me to create bold, dynamic images whether I’m shooting editorial-style portraits, senior sessions, or couples.

Being a teen photographer comes with its challenges like balancing school, setting boundaries, and proving myself in a competitive industry to people who may not take me serious, but every experience has helped shape me into the artist I am today. More than just taking pictures, I focus on making my clients look and feel their best while capturing dynamic through my work. Whether you’re an aspiring model needing digitals, a brand looking for stunning visuals, or someone wanting a creative and personalized shoot. I bring passion, professionalism, fresh perspectives, and unique concepts to every session. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s make something amazing together!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have a few goals driving my creative journey. The biggest one is moving to a bigger city, and right now Chicago is the dream yet I still have a couple years as I’m 15. It’s not just about personal growth though; I want to create a life where if I have a partner or kids one day, I can give them the best possible future. But it’s also about the models I work with, the ones who have the passion, professionalism, and drive to make it in this industry. I want to be part of their journey and help them turn their dreams into reality. And eventually New York Fashion Week along with working as a photographer internationally. So if I had to categorize my creative drive into a single “goal,” I couldn’t, because it’s “goals” driving this journey.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Keeping in touch with my clients is really important to me because I strongly believe in the idea that “they make you” rather than “you make them.” To foster loyalty, I focus on keeping my prices fair and avoiding overcharging, treating clients more like friends than just customers, while still maintaining professionalism. I also make sure they stay engaged by encouraging them to follow my social media, so they’re always in the know for my creative and promotional updates!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariksstudio.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariks_studio/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mariks.studio

Image Credits

Meriel Casper
Lucie Djomeni & Mia Maché
Alejandra González Díaz
Taylor Robinson