We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Doll. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.
Meghan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
As a portrait photographer, I hope my legacy is one of connection, impact, and beauty. More than just taking photos, I want to be remembered for the way I made people feel—seen, valued, and truly celebrated.
Through my work, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless families, professionals, and individuals at different stages of their lives. I hope that long after I’m gone, the images I’ve created will continue to tell their stories, reminding future generations of the love, strength, and essence of the people in them.
I’d love for people to say that I didn’t just take portraits—I created timeless keepsakes, helped people see their own beauty, and brought light and warmth into every session. More than anything, I hope to be remembered for the heart I put into my work and the joy I found in helping others preserve their most meaningful moments.
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’ve been a photographer for 25 years, and from the moment I picked up a camera as a teenager, I knew this was what I was meant to do. Photography isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. I specialize in portraits, capturing everything from branding and corporate headshots to family sessions and my newest offering, Legacy Sessions, which celebrate the spirit and stories of elderly adults.
At its core, my work is about more than just taking beautiful photos—it’s about helping people feel seen. Whether I’m working with a business professional who needs an impactful headshot, a family preserving a fleeting stage of life, or a high school senior stepping into a new chapter, my goal is to create images that feel authentic and timeless. I want every person who steps in front of my camera to walk away feeling confident, valued, and excited about the images we create together.
One thing that sets me apart is the heart I pour into my work. I don’t just snap a picture and move on—I take the time to connect, to understand my clients’ personalities, and to create an experience that is enjoyable and effortless. I also have a deep passion for printed artwork. We live in a digital world, but I firmly believe that images should be more than just files sitting on a hard drive. I love helping clients turn their portraits into tangible, lasting pieces—whether that’s a framed print, an album, or a wall gallery that tells their story.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built over the years. Many of my clients have been with me for decades, and I’ve had the joy of capturing them through multiple stages of life. To me, that’s the ultimate honor—being trusted to document the moments that matter most.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s that photography is so much more than a transaction. It’s a way to capture love, confidence, personality, and legacy in a way that lasts far beyond a single moment. And I feel incredibly lucky to do this every day.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting has been a huge part of my journey—both in business and in life. One of the biggest pivots I made was stepping away from wedding photography. Early in my career, I was shooting weddings nonstop, and while I loved capturing such meaningful days, the physical and emotional toll started to wear on me. I was exhausted, burned out, and realized I wasn’t showing up as my best self anymore. That’s when I knew something had to change.
I made the tough decision to shift my focus entirely to portraits—branding, families, and headshots—and it was the best move I could have made. Not only did it reignite my love for photography, but it also allowed me to create a business that truly aligned with my strengths and passions. Instead of the high-pressure, all-day marathon of weddings, I could now focus on intentional, connection-driven sessions that left me (and my clients) feeling fulfilled.
Taking that leap of faith and going in a new direction emboldened me in ways I never expected. It showed me that when I trust myself, commit fully, and lean into what feels right, I can create success on my own terms. That confidence has carried me through every challenge since, reminding me that I’m capable of adapting, evolving, and building something even better than I imagined.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success means saying ‘yes’ to everything. In the early years of my business, I thought that in order to grow, I had to take on every opportunity that came my way—every type of shoot, every request, every client who inquired. I was afraid that if I turned something down, I’d be missing out or, worse, that my business would suffer.
But what actually happened was the opposite. Saying ‘yes’ to everything stretched me too thin, led to burnout, and left me doing work that didn’t always light me up. It took years (and a lot of exhaustion) to realize that clarity—not hustle—is what builds a strong business. When I finally got intentional about what I loved photographing and who I wanted to serve, everything changed. I started saying ‘no’ to things that didn’t align, and that made room for more of the work that truly energized me.
Unlearning the ‘say yes to everything’ mindset was a game-changer. Now, I know that saying ‘no’ isn’t a missed opportunity—it’s a way of protecting my time, my creativity, and my passion for what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meghandoll.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lovemeghandoll
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghandollphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-doll/
Image Credits
All image copyright Meghan Doll Photography