We recently connected with McKenzie McNeil Nugent and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, McKenzie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission has become quite clear to me this year: to document people in a truthful way. The funny thing about being a young business owner is that every single day it feels I am establishing my mission more and more. I’m learning more about myself, about the kind of art I want to create, and the kind of people I want to work with.

Along with photography, I’m pursuing the film industry as an actor, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned in my training is the importance of truth. In visual storytelling like photography & acting, there is literally no meaning in creating something that is not truthful. Without truth behind it, you are left with a fabricated, manufactured version of something else.

In working with my couples, I’ve tried to implement this by directing the shoot as if they are characters in my movie (me being the director of course). I ask them questions about their relationship that bring forth real emotion within them. I give them vague prompts that require them to fill in the blanks themselves. I continue shooting in those “in-between moments,” where a picture taken isn’t expected. From this, comes the most beautiful, truthful expression. I realized this mission from becoming bored with the same old prompts and poses, that in my opinion, do not bring out the subjects’ “realness.”

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 got married to my best friend and current business partner, Jimmy, on March 7th, 2020. Yes, saved by the bell. At that time, I had been doing photography for well over a year, mostly shooting portraits as well as a couple weddings. I had also just gotten my degree in human communication from The University of Central Florida, and no, I had no idea or plans on what to do with it.

So when I got back from my honeymoon and the whole world seemed to be shutting down, I thought, “well it doesn’t seem that getting hired for a job I don’t even know I want to do, let alone getting hired anywhere is happening right now,” especially considering everyone was getting furloughed or fired. So by default, I went full time with my photography business. And it worked out! I was amazed at the end of the year by what I was able to bring in, because so little of it felt like work to me; I just loved it so much. Since then I’ve shot roughly 30 weddings & counting alongside my husband Jimmy, who is now also full time in his wedding videography business.

Jimmy & I live in Atlanta with our two cats (the loves of our lives), Rudy & Cindy-Louise. Working for ourselves alongside each other has been a dream. We love working with other couples and creating meaningful content for them. Many of our clients are attracted to us because we are a husband & wife team! I think that is definitely something special we offer, because photography and videography are truly such personal areas of work where who you are/ your personality is everything. Jimmy & I have come to learn that the backbone of our business is trust. There is a never-ending plethora of amazing photographers & videographers that can craft a pretty product, but at the end of the day, the ability for the client to trust you and simply LIKE you, is everything.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My partner in life also happens to be my partner in business! Jimmy & I met when we were 16 & 17 during our school’s production of Little Women. I played Jo March & Jimmy played Professor Bhaer. What started as your classic high school “showmance,” turned into the most unexpected, wonderful but wild ride. Sometimes we sit back & go “where are we right now?” Because it just feels so funny how life can take you on the most unexpected journeys. I had no idea when I was 16 in play rehearsal that I would one day move from Florida to Georgia with this strange boy on the other side of the stage, get married, get cats together, & build a business together.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had had the patience to sit down and LEARN more. I am a very hands-on “I’ll figure it out myself,” type of girl, & although that’s cute & all, it definitely lead me to come around to simple skills way later that I would have liked. I wish I could sit down 20 year old McKenzie & be like, “please just watch this YouTube tutorial, you aren’t using your camera right, you stubborn, stubborn girl.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mckenziemcneilphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckenziemcneilphoto/

Image Credits
Photo Credit for all photos: McKenzie McNeil Nugent (McKenzie McNeil Photo)