We recently connected with Maya Peery and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya, thanks for joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I were to start over in my photography business, I would find my favorite type of event to photograph and pursue that rather than many different types of photography. The advice you hear from everyone is “keep practicing, keep shooting”, and while that is true, you should keep shooting no matter what, it is important to capture what you love.
You need to put out the work you want to attract or you will get burnt out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I entered the photography industry through my mom who has been a photographer for 12 years. I began attending weddings with her at a young age, but didn’t really start learning until age 16, and it felt like I had an epiphany- I knew this is what I wanted to do.
I am very proud of the business I have built at only 19 years old, I have worked hard to not only build a business, but a brand. I’ve had people that look at my work and know it was mine. I now have clients that trust me completely to plan and take their photos.
I am a destination wedding and elopement photographer, traveling all over the world capturing what I am most passionate about, love!

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

I had to unlearn only wanting to shoot at golden hour. I was taught that photoshoots, wether it’s for engagement photos, graduation photos, or family photos etc., they are done at golden hour.
I still love shooting with the sun behind my subject, but I have also come to appreciate photos done at other times if the day. From mid day when the sun is shining as bright as possible, to night time when I need to use flash, everything is so fun to shoot in.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Instagram and word of mouth are where I get almost all of my clients. Many new clients come from Instagram, where I show all of my work, as well as word of mouth – all of my past clients come back to me and tell their friends to hire me!

Contact Info:

• Website: Portraitsbymaya.Com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/portraitsbymaya
• Other: Tiktok.com/portraitsbymaya

Image Credits
Portraits by Maya