We recently connected with Mary-Kate Murphy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary-Kate, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

China opened its doors to international adoption in 1990. Due to the one child policy, adoption institutions were overcrowded with female orphans and I was one of them. I was adopted by American parents when I was three-years-old. At first, identifying as Chinese-American was complicated. I appeared Chinese, I considered myself American. I spent my childhood searching for a self-concept that was unique from the names others placed upon me. In 2008, I received my first camera, a Nikon D3400, from my parents. Behind the camera, I was able to define and share my perspective and identity in collaboration with others. As I developed as an artist, I leaned into capturing those incredible moments of quirkiness, laughter, love, joy, and intensity that make up the spectrum of human emotion. My photos are honest reflections of each interaction and person.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been playing around with cameras since 2008. I founded Little Panda Photography, my first freelance photography business, in 2010. At the time, I primarily worked with musicians and models in Orlando, Florida. Due to an extended period living overseas, I closed shop after 4 years. I settled in Raleigh, North Carolina around 2019. Merry Kate Photos was then created soon afterwards. In the Raleigh area, I have collaborated with local models on creative fashion photoshoots, GeekFit and Geek Girls Brunch for product and event photos and, more recently, portrait and fitness photos for KardioJam. I love portrait photography, and working with small businesses and families.

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

I’ve found that the answer to this question changes throughout my career but one common theme I see is around people. A big part of what makes being a photographer rewarding is working with others who inspire, motivate, and challenge you. Whether I get to know the story of one individual or collaborate over an extended period with a small business, I love using my art to help others and likewise grow in my craft.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Networking doesn’t need to feel ‘icky.’ Being a business owner is difficult if you are a self-declared ambivert with stronger introvert tendencies since the Pandemic. It is a challenge knowing that building a business is dependent on putting yourself out there. A lesson that I’m trying to unlearn is that with networking I have to play a role defined by others and their concept of what it means to be a photographer. My greatest business relationships have been with individuals that I have met by being unapologetically myself. These connections have created amazing images that are defined by our collaboration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://merrykatephotos.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrykatephotos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerryKatePhotos/

Image Credits
Merry Kate Photos Ryan Sin Photography