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

Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

As a Brand Photographer, I focus on individual portraits by creating editorial-style photoshoots. This niche still has room to grow, as it seems many people do not stray far from the stereotypical path of ‘brand photography’ process and images. The industry standard often means photography that is based on audience engagement, demographics, and staying on trend.

No one really ‘knows’ what this style of photography is though, not even Clients in my experience. We have the chance to define it ourselves with our own skills and passions, and this is what has inspired my direction.

My Brand Photography experience is focused on emotions, the core of a person and freedom from external influence. It is a very personal, internal process that allows my clients to dream without limits. This involves weeks of work together as a team while I create the concept from their own words and desires, and as a result, all projects are vastly unique to each Client.

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?

The big story behind me becoming a Brand Photographer started in 2018. I was living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, working on my fashion and portrait photography while interning at a start-up bike company… while also working as a barista.

At a moment’s notice in February 2019, I was offered a job to be an in-studio Photo Producer for Club Monaco in New York City. I just had to accept this once-in-a-lifetime chance! I was in charge of opening the studio for clients, organizing catering, producing photoshoots, and working with agencies. I learned a lot on how to run a studio and production in an orderly way.

Early on, my boss mentioned I could have free reign of the studio over the weekend if I kept it tidy, as she knew I was a photographer. I really took this chance and began to organize photoshoots with models, makeup artists, hair stylists and designers. Who else gets the chance to use one of NYC’s major studios for their own photos?! This jump started my confidence as I submitted to magazines, connected with NYC artists and tried to find my place in this big new world. I wasn’t earning any money this way, I was focused on having fun with new people – this mind set helped define my personal style even if I didn’t know it at first.

After a few months, I began taking portraits of artists that needed photos for their websites. My first official Brand photoshoot was for another photographer that wanted true-to-her images that expressed her identity in a fun way. Naturally, I had her throw a chair in the air and pile eyeglasses on top of her head, images that are still iconic to this day. This way of photographing individuals was the basis of my future Brand Photography

I had a lot of success with taking portraits in my photographer community, but there came a point that the 8 – 5 work schedule didn’t fit into my life anymore. When 2020 came around, the timing was incredibly useful for me to finally take a step towards owning my own business.

All of the skills I learned being a Producer aided me to create my Brand Photoshoot process today. I create a full experience that includes mood boards, concept creation, talent scouting, questionnaires, booking locations, and 1-on-1 phone calls, to make a Brand Photoshoot immensely unique to each Client. When you work with me, you are not alone in the process or left feeling cast aside. At the end, I am able to deliver a variety of portraits that my Clients can use for websites, socials, awards, and more. My desire to have fun on-set is what fueled my different perspective for Brand portraits – one that allows my Clients to focus on who they are rather than who they “should” be. This entire, in-depth process is what I believe sets my Brand Photography apart from other photographers.

I’m extremely proud to be able to offer all of MYSELF to people, rather than an impersonal service.

My genuine connection with my Clients gives the opportunity for people to share their story with me. I do not consider myself only a ‘photographer’, but rather a person that fully supports others to realize their own dreams and desires. We are all human in the end and we cannot forget this as we own and operate businesses. We are more than our labels, I just so happen to be the one taking the photos at the end of the day.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The original change of pace of moving to NYC affected me and my lifestyle negatively, because I wasn’t used to the culture of the city. The hours were long, I had no friends, the city was overwhelming, and I was confused about my direction.

This led to overworking and ignoring my personal feelings in jobs, because it was more important to get it done ‘right’ than how I felt. A job is a job. There was only one way to work based on ‘rules’ that were invisible. I didn’t listen to what I wanted.

This mentality wiped out all my creativity and belief in self, and at the end of 2020 I couldn’t understand what felt so wrong in my current photoshoot process. I was getting leads and having success with photoshoots, but I felt horrible. I hired a coach for 3 months, and through working with her and myself, I finally understood what I needed to do. I had to do nothing else, and simply BE.

I didn’t have to work jobs I didn’t love, I didn’t have to take photos I didn’t like, and I most certainly could have feelings. This was transformative for me as I focused on feminine energy – emotive, slowness, communication and creativity. Aspects of myself that I had forgotten. There is no ‘correct’ or ‘right’ way to be, but being wholly yourself and all your knowledge.

After this, my entire process got an overhaul as well as my website to express who I am. By following my own personality, I tailored my Brand Photography to what works best for me and in turn works best for my clients. I was much more positive after this and was able to help other people (my Clients) be able to be who they are too, something they couldn’t find in other photographers.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Many creative journeys are defined by continuous practice or by finding success through outside connections, but we often forget the inner journey as a person. Being creative in itself is a very personal craft and tying that together with business can get messy fast. We begin to cater to other people, get stuck in quarrels and desire to be perfect for a perfect client. This removes everything about OURSELVES. We cannot find long-term success by erasing ourselves.

I believe non-creatives might struggle to understand me because they themselves don’t believe they are creative. Everyone is creative. You do not need to paint, photograph, mold pottery, or write poetry to be creative. Once we remember that even the most logistical tasks can be creative, we open ourselves to new parts of our personality. This is what helped me see myself in a new light.

That is what I would want anyone who BELIEVE they are ‘non-creative’ to understand, that remembering you are more than your accomplishments or titles at work. I invite you to look at how being a good friend, listener, restaurant finder, cocktail master, animal lover, hobby baker, and more, are inherent qualities that make you, YOU – creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meganarina.com
• Instagram: @meganarina
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganarina/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meganarina

Image Credits
All images by Megan Arina Photography.