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

Alright, Megan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents did a fantastic job raising successful kids. I’m the oldest of three siblings. Even though I’m a twin, my sister will tell you I’m the oldest- we are only separated in age by a few minutes but they mattered. There is then a seven year gap between the two of us and our little brother. He will always be our baby and I will always be the big sister. I look after everyone. My siblings and I couldn’t be any different, but in many ways we are exactly the same. Life lead us in three completely different directions but now we all have families, our own homes and we each own at least one business. My brother is a brilliant tattoo artist, I’m a successful part-time professional photographer, and my sister is a talented interior designer. I think the number one thing my parents did right is parenting us as individuals. Because we were all so different, it wouldn’t have worked to use the same level of discipline, comfort, or control on the three of us. We have each had our struggles, but because of the firm foundation our parents constructed for us- we have overcome and flourished. I don’t believe you can make an entrepreneur but you can produce an environment that enables them. They have always just…supported us, no questions and no hesitation. They supported us as we explored our talents, dreams, and our limits. Maybe that, in itself is the thing that fosters the growth of entrepreneurs- crazy dreamers with a steadfast support system. I owe so much to them. I hope I make them so proud.

Megan, 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?

I’ve been photographing for about 10 years. I started small. My camera was $300 and I was a newlywed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Truly, I probably succeeded in the beginning simply because there were only two or three other options in the area and I was super inexpensive. My first session was a close friends wedding. Yes, you read that right. I started with a wedding! Today, I’m still shooting weddings, between 4-6 a year. I mainly focus on family, maternity, newborn, milestones, engagement, and event photography. I LOVE meeting new clients and I adore the clients that return season after season. I love to celebrate their lives and capture their sweet moments. Some clients I have photographed since their engagements and now I am photographing their second kids. That alone blows my mind. I think the problem I solve for my clients is access to high quality professional photography at all income levels. I have a dedication to inexpensive services. I put my heart and soul into what I do, and I can’t imagine turning someone away over funding. I really believe that every single family deserves that perfect family photo for the mantel and you shouldn’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars to get it. My prices have increased over the last decade, but I’m proud to be able to still offer $125 full family sessions. And my clients are thankful.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had more pivot moments than an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S truly. In my personal life, I broke off an engagement to move across the country. This took me away from an ill-fated relationship that ended in adultery weeks before my wedding date. It also took me away from the North Georgia mountains and Tennessee to Wyoming. Wyoming is where I got my start. So I could have let myself be ruined by infidelity, but instead I picked myself up by my bootstraps and took fate into my own hands. I found so much in Wyoming. I came back home to Georgia with a man who loves me and a hobby I loved. I didn’t dream it would grow to what it is now. I’m so blessed to call all of the things in my life mine. I went to school for criminal justice and immediately went into a career as a sheriffs deputy. I was a deputy in Tennessee and Wyoming, and when i move home, I dispatched 911 calls im Gwinnett county. When I had my son, I knew I needed to pviot to a career where I had more control. I figured I would lean into my photography even more and it was a success. I know it’s a story orchestrated by God. Who else could write something like this? If you had told me 20 years ago this is what my life would turn out to be, I’d have laughed you out of town. I could have never pictured something so beautiful!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I would say I built my social media presence completely on great client reviews. I have only 5 star reviews and I think that really says something about the value of the services I provide. I really focus on quality. At first, I really pushed to get those reviews and held giveaways pretty frequently. Now, word of mouth alone brings in all the clients I need!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.peachykeenphotos.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peachykeenaffordablephotography?mibextid=ZbWKwL