We caught up with the brilliant and insightful McKenzie Hamlin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

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

I remember using every camera I could find to take pictures ever since I was a child. I was constantly trying to take pictures, whether it was with my mom’s phone, a small point and shoot that my family owned, or simply by pretending with my hands. My friends and I used to have small phone photoshoots throughout middle and high school, and I was always the one snapping the shots. I ultimately made the decision to get my own Canon DSLR camera since I was planning a vacation to Europe during my junior year of high school. It was the end of the year, so I went out with my sister to shoot my senior pictures, since we thought I might save some money, and it clicked right away. I discovered I was actually pretty good at photography and fell in love with it right away. My sister and I continued to go out and take pictures of each other, experimenting with various types of photography. When a couple of my other friends asked for their photos to be taken, I decided to start my own business. After about a year of only doing senior photos, I had a couple other people from school ask for family photos or other random requests, and it’s been growing since then. When I first started college, I met a guy who was interested in videography. I went on a couple of shoots with him, which led to us doing weddings together this past year.

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

I specialize in portraits and events as a photographer. I enjoy capturing and presenting special moments in people’s lives in a beautiful way. Unlike most photographers, I do not specialize in a single niche. I enjoy working on weddings, senior portraits, family photos, business headshots, and anything else you can think of. One thing that distinguishes me is that I will take the time to get to know my clients and provide them with the most personalized experience possible. I strive to elevate each shoot by incorporating different aspects of my clients’ personalities whether through posing, locations, or props. Something unique about me is that I am a college student who is double majoring, and I’m also my campus’s student photographer!

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the aspect of self-care. Unlike other jobs, I have complete control over my schedule and compensation. Because photography is my passion, I look forward to each shoot and being able to sit down and edit. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and having the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. These photos and videos will be something they remember for the rest of their lives, and there’s something truly rewarding about that.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’ve discovered that networking is the most effective way to find new clients. Finding other people in your industry and developing relationships with them will lead to more clients. If someone I’ve connected with is unable to attend a shoot, they will think of me to forward the information to, and vice versa. Another suggestion is to concentrate on social media. Have a website, post on Instagram and Facebook, and occasionally post advertisements. Having your work on display allows potential clients to decide whether they like your work. It may appear simple, but it is one of the most effective forms of marketing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mckenziehamlinphoto.wixsite.com/website-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckenziehamlin.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076223327764

Image Credits
PC – Wesley Papp PC – Irvin Segura PC – McKenzie Hamlin