We recently connected with Mercae Benge and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mercae thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started my photography business journey very slowly. I’d dabbled with photography in high school, but it wasn’t until I started a travel blog that I bought a used crop sensor Nikon camera on Facebook marketplace for $100 so I could DIY photos. I started taking pictures with my new-to-me camera and discovered a passion for photography. I quickly became inseparable from my camera, snapping portraits of my pets, my friends, myself, and anyone who would jump in front of my camera to practice.
I learned to use my camera’s manual settings and some basic composition with free online courses from Linkedin and got posing and setting inspiration from YouTube videos. I started just doing women’s portraits, imagining I’d do either fashion or travel photography at some point. I got paid here and there the odd twenty-some bucks for little photoshoots and portraits I’d take.
Then I found out I was pregnant in January 2020 and by March 2020 the lockdown began for Covid-19.
My progress hit a wall.
I stopped taking pictures of other people. By the time I had my son, most daycares were closed or not accepting new kids so I moved from Seattle to Illinois to get help from family. My mental health took a massive dive after I had my son. I was able to remain on unemployment for 6 months after I came back from maternity leave, which I’m so grateful for. But I knew I needed a career to bring in money when the unemployment was up so I took a photography business course by Brooke Jefferson.
Reaching outside my circle and getting some education in running a business in my field was crucial. I set up client relationship management software, legitimized my business, and got my very own website and email address. I started taking portraits again, determined to find some kind of work that I could do with a single mother’s scheduling needs.
After a year in Illinois, I was diagnosed with Bipolar II at 30 years old. I didn’t get access to proper treatment until I moved back to Seattle a year after that diagnosis. As my health improved with proper mental healthcare, I found that my business and creativity began to flourish.
Once in Seattle, I set up my business again, this time much more quickly. I donated my time to collaborative projects to build my resume and help out other local business owners and models. I built lasting connections with others, gifting complimentary photoshoots for some families. I started sharing more of my personal life with my clients on my social media and in my website’s “about me” portions, and I’ve found my business growing.
This experience has taught me that taking care of my mental and physical health is as important as developing my technical skills in photography and business. I also learned that artists can be financially successful and certainly don’t need to be suffering to create beautiful art.
I’d say the biggest thing that anyone should walk away with? You can’t do it alone. You need to connect to succeed. While most of my connections were online at first, if I hadn’t reached outside of myself for education in art and business, I’d have gone nowhere. When my business really took off, it was because I was building in-person connections and prioritizing the growth and improvement of other business owners with similar demographics. I built up my community and I still get referrals from them, they are so kind with their praise.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Mercae, of Lilac & Ivy Photography, based in Seattle. I specialize in family and maternity portraits, focusing on capturing the love, joy, and authentic connections that bind families together. My style is light and airy, which I believe brings out the warmth and tenderness in each moment. I’m passionate about helping mothers feel beautiful and confident in front of the camera because too often, moms are the ones behind the lens, capturing memories for everyone else. I want to change that by ensuring they are part of the memories too—feeling seen, appreciated, and loved.
The services I offer go beyond just taking photos. I’m committed to providing my clients with high-end printed artwork, whether it’s framed prints, canvas wall art, or custom photo albums. I believe that preserving memories in tangible form is incredibly important, especially in today’s digital age where photos often get lost on cellphones and disappear with a forgotten password. There’s something special about holding a physical photograph, and I want to help families create lasting keepsakes that they can cherish for generations.
What sets me apart from others in the industry is my personal approach to photography. I’m a solo single parent, raising my son on my own while working two jobs. This experience has taught me the value of time and the importance of being present. I bring this understanding to my work, creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment during photo sessions, especially for children. I use movement and games to engage little ones, helping them feel at ease and allowing their natural personalities to shine through in the photos.
I’m most proud of the connection I build with my clients. Many of them come to me because they want more than just a photo; they want an experience, a moment captured that reflects their family’s unique story. I’ve had the honor of photographing families through different stages of their lives, from maternity sessions to newborn shoots, and watching their families grow has been incredibly rewarding.
One of the main things I want potential clients to know about Lilac & Ivy Photography is that I’m here to create a stress-free, enjoyable experience for them. I understand the challenges of being a parent, and I’m here to make sure that the time we spend together is meaningful and fun. Whether it’s capturing the first days of a newborn’s life or a joyful family outing, I’m dedicated to delivering beautiful, timeless images that families will treasure forever.
Overall, Lilac & Ivy Photography is about more than just pictures—it’s about capturing love, creating memories, and helping families celebrate their unique stories. I’m honored to be a part of that process, and I’m committed to providing the best possible service to each and every one of my clients.
We can connect online via my website www.lilacandivyphotography.com or instagram www.instagram.com/lilacandivyphotography

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’m a huge podcast listener, and am starting my own podcast here soon, I’d highly encourage you to listen to Brooke Jefferson’s podcast, called “The Purposeful Photographer Podcast”. I also love The Motherhood Anthology for all their education and resources, they also have a podcast under the same name.
I love the book “The Slight Edge” as well as “Building a Story Brand” for business general information.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I push myself in this entrepreneurial journey so that I can help other mothers, I know what it is to feel like it’s impossible to get a nice picture together with my baby and to always be stuck behind the camera. I have a million pictures of my son on my phone, but maybe a handful of us together where we look nice and that I have happy memories around. I aim to help mothers capture those handful that mean the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lilacandivyphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacandivyphotography
• Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/seattlemomtalk

Image Credits

Lilac & Ivy Photography