We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mikaela Warde. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mikaela below.

Mikaela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

My love for photography started when I joined my local 4-H club’s photography project. I took a break for a bit while going through high school and college, but when I was about to graduate college I thought, “I don’t want to pay someone to take my photos – I can do them myself.” Thus, my small photography business was born. I bought a kit from Costco and offered sessions to all my friends who were also graduating to build up my portfolio. After graduation, I moved back home, took a gap year and then started my masters program. All through this time I was doing sessions to help grow my skills and expand my knowledge. After I finished my masters I began pursing photography as a legitimate side business and not just a hobby.

Part of this investment, besides time, was investing in a BUNCH of styled shoots and assisting other photographers as second shooters for events. At the styled shoots I learned so much from other photographers from posing ideas, using the environment for more creative shots, camera settings, and most importantly, networking with other photographers and vendors alike.

With my portfolio growing I was able to increase my prices and many of the vendors/photographer friends I made began referring clients to me as well. I grew so much that I formed a LLC and now have a strong, steady second source of income to help support my family.

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 touched on this in the previous question, but my love for photography started when I was young and in my local 4-H program and started to grow into a full on small business when I graduated from college.

I capture a little bit of everything, but my main focus is weddings, families and graduates. I’m a first-generation college grad, mom of 2 and a wife. I feel like these experiences help me really connect with my clients and truly help get candid, memorable shots for them to cherish for a lifetime since I have been in their shoes before (at some point haha). My style is bold, true to life and my goal is to have my clients walk away from sessions with a core memory formed and to be able to cherish their photos for generations to come.

I’m most proud of all the connections I made with my hobby turned business and how I am able to provide these memories for my clients whether they be happy or sad memories. Besides the happy, excited photos that most post on social media and hang on their walls I have also been able to support my clients through stillborns and funeral processions. Those type of sessions, I feel, are not talked about as much in the community but deserve just as much recognition.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

When I first started out I was nervous about reaching out to other photographers to ask, “how did you do it?” Whether that was an editing style, location, technique, etc. One thing I wish I learned sooner was that MOST photographers are more then happy to guide you through your journey and will actually become some of your photo besties along the way. I was able to reach out and find educational workshops that really helped elevate my photography quality and I WISH I would have reached out sooner for workshop/mentorship opportunities.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Capturing memories to last a lifetime. My father passed away from cancer when I was young and at that the time, cameras were not on everyone’s phone to make capturing memories easier. I never wanted my kids to look back and wish they had more photos so I started taking my own and then when I felt comfortable, offering services to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mtostaphotography.com
• Instagram: @mtostaphotography
• Facebook: Mikaela Tosta Photography (@mtostaphotograpy)