Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Grace. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Molly , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Risk meets reward
Is there courage without risk? Many moments as a self-employed photographer have scared me just enough and intrigued me so much that I’m curious and lean on in. I remember when I first quit my job (or jobs) to be self-employed full-time in 2008, just as the recession hit. Since then, I can recall all the leaps, bounds, and more risks, including the risk I’m currently weighing, building a studio attached to our house. Risk is like an “operation” – equal parts invitation and opportunity you can not refuse. It’s like a first kiss where the reward is so great you rise to meet it. I specifically remember when I rebranded my portrait business in 2018. In January, I flew home from a workshop with my mind blown by tons of ideas and changes I intended to make. I remember being on my knees just praying for a client – I only needed one, I thought. And then, just like that, I received an inquiry from an ideal client. Not only that, but she was the perfect client for me. I jumped at having this inquiry as a client under the new brand. I quickly scrambled through everything on my list: a refreshed website, a client magazine, new pricelists, and product samples. I had a preschooler and Kindergartener to care for, so there were some late nights, and I finally sent her my collections and pricelist. I specifically remember a moment when I was at Whole Foods, picking out my daughter’s cake for her upcoming birthday. I was at the counter ordering and got the thrill of a lifetime when I looked at my phone to see the response email roll in; they were ready to schedule. I remember the feeling that my life had changed at that moment, and I was about to walk into the business I wanted. I ordered that cake with so much joy and laughter. The following year, I decided I wouldn’t take on weddings to continue growing the senior portrait brand I wanted. I remember the feeling I had in December as I approached the end of the year – how scary it seemed to me to have no bookings for the next year when, for the past 12 years, I would have generally gone into the new year with 15+ weddings lined up. I breathed deeply and preserved. From there, I continued to walk into the work I was creating; I was inventive and intentional because I believed so much in the why behind what I did, and it invigorated me more when I saw others recognizing its impact. Even this winter, at a dinner party we hosted, I was asked if it was better to have low expectations or high, as the eternal optimist wants a break I was tempted to answer low but a friend reminded me there is no courage in low expectations – and to me that is where risk meets reward.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Recently, a friend summarized my work in one sentence: You give women the positive power to see themselves in a new light. That sentence hit in all the right places.
I have created a business for six years centered on curating portrait sessions that reflect my high school seniors. I am expanding my work to include entrepreneurs and female-owned brands and am excited about the connection between the two generas.
As a photographer, everyone thinks I sell portrait sessions and pictures, which is true, but I am selling a chance to acknowledge, recognize, and celebrate the becoming. What makes me, my work, and my experience unique with them is that I believe everyone needs to see their true beauty & know their deep worth & significance.
I LOVE the concept of becoming…. because I feel we always are. It’s not only the idea of something new; it’s something starting again… it’s seeing possibilities… finding adventures that await around every turn…, and the forward motion you’re pursuing for the dreams you have. That explains my connection and love for high schoolers, and it extends to women and entrepreneurs. We are constantly making choices and evolving daily, purposefully creating ourselves, taking on new challenges, learning from the twists and turns life throws, redirecting, balancing, and centering, and we emerge stronger every time. And it’s a love story, a love story to ourselves.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
As great as social media is, word of mouth is King or Queen. :) There is nothing like an over-the-moon client to change your whole world. And it’s a chicken and egg sort of situation because the evidence would reveal it started from you first—where you, as the business owner, changed their whole world and perspective first.
Here is one of my client’s write-ups about her experience with me.
Going into senior year, I was apprehensive about taking senior pictures. I thought I wouldn’t like them and oftentimes over-criticized myself in photos. I always thought I looked awkward or not myself. Thinking about taking them was daunting to me. I had struggled with finding a photographer and had some photos done, but they didn’t represent me. I knew that the session with Molly would be different after the first call. Her passion and excitement was so unmatched and nothing I could have thought. I was still nervous but excited for my session. I knew that she was going to make it what I wanted. During the session I started to gain a confidence in myself and felt good. Francesca and Molly were so encouraging and passionate it was inspiring. They helped me feel more comfortable and confident. I felt a spark in myself, stepping outside of my comfort zone and stepping into my true self. The pictures captured me in a way that I never saw. She captured my beauty from the inside out. I am absolutely in love with the photos and see myself differently and I am more confident in who I am. I have seen this confidence come through at my summer internship and am excited to see what this new confidence brings for me in college.
I was so moved by her testimonial. It reveals what I have seen over and over again with my work—a new confidence that gave her forward momentum in everything she was doing. She explained to me that she was going to her internship differently, feeling excited and capable, and it made her go after her dreams. That is everything to me!!! That is my why, revealed and recognized by others.
Having a client who shares how the experience made her feel so beautifully with others is GOLD. Pure Gold.
I remember the first time I had a senior mom share with her daughter’s friend group – that was a true honor. I got to photograph every one of her friends, and I embraced each one’s unique features and different vibes while giving them a similar look and style. There is nothing better than that. That way, I got to be fully invested and in support of all they were up to, as individuals and together – shared experiences of senior year, college choices, and encouragement of their new direction. And also, I cherished every interaction and every lesson I learned from each mom throughout that journey, honoring their road and gaining wisdom as we all walk these days together. That, for me, is life!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I remember my professors and college, and one thing I always treasured was that they said they would expect that we, as their students, would go further than they had. That greatly encouraged me because they had terrific and prestigious careers. When I got to the point when I had interns and assistants and people working for me in the office, I felt that same way; I acknowledged that truth and shared it with them. Whatever I was thinking or adjusting about how I was working and what I wanted for my business, I brought them in on it and hoped they would share my passion and vigor for it. I expected a lot from them, made suggestions, and took time to train them, but I also made room for their strengths and abilities to shine, for their expertise to take shape, and for them to share those things with me. I am so honored to have them alongside me, and I am truly grateful for all the life they have brought into my life and for giving me time and energy back to my work as it grows. But I want to be an environment where they can feel free to be themselves and also a place where they can launch into what they want to do. If they can always make room in their lives to be a subcontractor or work for me in a capacity, I would be so grateful, but they can grow and fly to their biggest dreams from here. And it’s actually so fun to even see their talents take shape and to encourage them to create offerings separate from me to continue serving my clients in a way that they feel supported. That is a win-win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mollygracephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollygracephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollygracephoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-grace-17677a8/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/molly-grace-photography-warrenvile