We were lucky to catch up with Meaghan Sutton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meaghan, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

When it comes to photography, I first learned with digital cameras in high school in Louisville, Kentucky. It wasn’t until I moved to Portland, Oregon three years ago where I found an abundance of film photography stores and resources that I decided to give it a try. It didn’t take me long to find analog was the medium for me. That initial experience sparked a deep curiosity and a desire to understand every facet of the medium. Over time, I came to see film not just as a method for capturing an image, but as a language that tells stories in grain, texture, and nuance. It’s a process that demands patience, attention, and a willingness to embrace unpredictability—qualities that have deeply influenced my approach to photography.

From there, my learning journey was a blend of self-experimentation, re-learning techniques and photography basics, and learning by doing. I don’t think there is anything I would have done to speed up my learning process, because film photography, for me, is both a discipline and an art form that challenges me to slow down, observe carefully, and appreciate the transient beauty of each moment. Patience and a keen eye for detail have been at the heart of my craft and imperative skills for this medium. Each roll of film is a lesson in itself, teaching me the nuances of exposure, composition, and embracing the imperfections and unpredictable magic of film.

Several challenges marked my journey. The inherent complexity of mastering manual controls, working with 50+ year old equipment, and the limited access to reliable processing facilities, resources, and shops. However, each obstacle ultimately pushed me to innovate and grow, transforming setbacks into invaluable learning experiences.

Meaghan, 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?

My name is Meaghan Sutton, I am a passionate film photographer and cinematographer based in Portland, Oregon. My journey began over a decade ago, as I’ve been studying filmmaking and photography since high school. My work is driven by a love for analog formats and a fascination with the cinematic beauty found in everyday life. I believe there’s poetry in the mundane, and I strive to capture those fleeting, often overlooked moments in a way that feels timeless and deeply personal.

I specialize in creating visually rich, emotionally resonant content that elevates local businesses and independent projects. Whether through film, video, or photography, my work is designed to showcase the unique character of people, places, and brands in a way that feels immersive and personal. My creative services range from portrait photography to commercial video production to independent documentary work to narrative short and feature filmmaking.

What sets me apart is my approach— I don’t chase trends or overproduce—I let the story lead, allowing space for real moments to unfold naturally. Clients and collaborators come to me when they want visuals that feel raw yet intentional, cinematic yet intimate. I take inspiration from memory, landscapes, and the quiet beauty of places and people that might otherwise go unnoticed.

At the core of my work is a belief that great storytelling is about connection—whether it’s helping a local business craft a visual identity that resonates, capturing a fleeting moment on film, or bringing a personal vision to life through cinematography. I want my audience and clients to feel something when they experience my work—to see themselves, their stories, and their world in a new light.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

It is one thing to have your 9-5 job be separate from your creative passion, and another when your 9-5 IS your creative passion. I had been working full-time for various commercial video production companies for over 6 years. During this time, I was constantly juggling how to create my own art and narrative shorts on the side. Doing so meant meeting up with friends after work to film videos, staying up late to edit those videos, and working my butt off day in and day out to have my own creative escape. Burnout was real, and it constantly crept up on me. I knew my passion and drive to film and create would never slow down, so I took the biggest risk I could take — I quit my full time 9-5 job in order to pursue my own full time freelance career as a photographer and cinematographer.

Early on, before my freelance career, I began sharing my images and videos on social platforms. The feedback and support I received online were instrumental in shaping my style and expanding my audience. I connected with and collaborated with other local artists, gaining an incredibly supportive community that I am grateful for every single day. A creative community that continues to look out for me, sharing jobs with me, sharing knowledge with me, and uplifting me on my journey into freelance. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the community, collaborators, and friends I’ve gained over the years.

Some key milestones include curating and creating my very own group exhibition to support and highlight other local photographers in the Portland community. I have hosted film photography workshops. I had one of my photographs featured in an international exhibition. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries of my work while connecting with new audiences and clients along the way.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to express something deeply personal yet universal at the same time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to translate the intangible—feelings, memories, and emotions—into a visual narrative that resonates with others. Every time someone connects with one of my photographs or shorts, whether it’s a spark of nostalgia or a moment of clarity, I feel that creative dialogue bridging the gap between my inner world and theirs. That type of connection feels profoundly human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meaghansutton.com
• Instagram: meaghanonfilm

Image Credits

Danica Thomas
Jonathan Mok
George Padilla