Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Pollard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Monica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Absolutely! Part of my passion for photography is rooted in vacation, travel, and capturing the moments I wanted to remember. I always want to photograph both the big and small things from a trip, much to my travel buddy’s dismay at times. That desire has transitioned very easily into the work I do through MTP Photography. Many of my clients have reached out wanting photos taken during their family vacations. Covid actually helped facilitate this in a backward way. When people started traveling more, they wanted photographs to cherish the time they spent with their families after so much time apart. I’m starting to get families calling me up every time they visit the area and I am loving growing those relationships and watching their kids grow up.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always been creatively minded, preferring drawing and art classes over sports any day. My photography interest grew organically thanks to my always supportive parents who never outwardly cringed at taking yet another roll of film to be filled. Because most of those rolls were packed with mundane and repetitive photos of whatever my eight-year-old self was interested in, that was no small feat (thanks, Mom and Dad!). Interest in starting a photography company emerged several years later after studying photography in college and being hired for some friends’ grad photos, then a wedding. Slowly, I started getting weddings and more interest, and eventually MTP Photography, LLC. was formed. Today, I offer photography services for engagements, weddings, senior/grad portraits, family portraits, and more. I specialize in natural light photography and am always anxious to shoot outdoors against beautiful natural backdrops. I strive to provide the range of services that people look for. Some of my clients prefer candid photos while others prefer posed and organized photos. I don’t believe it has to be one or the other. I am most proud of how far I have come since my first paid sessions. From my first grad sessions and wedding, to now, I have seen so much growth in my photography skills and brand overall. I’m looking forward to growing MTP Photography even more in the years to come.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to watch my work and skills grow over time. Art is constantly evolving and the tools we have at our disposal are making it much easier to try out different techniques to keep improving. Occasionally, I do look back and sometimes wish I could redo certain shoots but ultimately, by looking at where I started, it inspires me to keep getting better and trying new things.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

This is a tough one but ultimately it comes down to deciding which equipment was the most necessary. The camera body, lenses, and at least one flash make up the majority of my equipment. When I realized I was going to need to invest in more than what I started with in order to grow, I relied heavily on Lord Google and other professionals sharing their recommendations and “must have” lists. From there, I selected which items were going to be the most important beyond what I already had (namely a portrait lens and a flash) and figured out where I could save on refurbished or used versus which needed to be bought new. It has been step-by-step since then! There is this false idea in photography that you have to have the BEST gear to be able to take good photos. Having an eye, some design knowledge, and a passion for photography will create better photos than the best gear without the eye!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mtp-photography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtp_photography_fl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTPphotographyllc

Image Credits
Monica T. Pollard