We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Morgan Bender a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Morgan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. So, we’d appreciate if you could open up about your growth story and the nitty, gritty details that went into scaling up.

My photography business grew because I never gave up, even during the challenging early days when inquiries were few and far between. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me, I stayed proactive—always creating content, building connections, and finding ways to grow.

What made a difference along the way was my willingness to jump at every opportunity that came my way. Whether it was stepping in last minute to photograph a wedding when another photographer couldn’t, or helping someone shadow me to learn the ropes, I’ve always believed in “community over competition.”

At the same time, I’ve never shied away from sharing the hard truths about this business with others who are learning or just starting out. I’ve experienced failures, learned lessons, and embraced the challenge of standing out in a saturated market. The most impactful decisions I’ve made have been investing in education and mentorship—moves that have been game-changers for my growth.

Through resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to learning, I’ve built something I’m incredibly proud of.

Morgan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It all started back in 2009 when I was in high school. I discovered photography in the darkroom and instantly fell in love with the process. There was something magical about creating something tangible—the mix of creative expression and technical precision was not only fun but addictive. I’d spend hours developing film, and my passion for it was evident to everyone around me. By the end of that year, I was borrowing a DSLR to photograph graduating seniors, and from there, things just snowballed. After photographing those graduating seniors, many of them came back to me a few years later for engagement shoots. Then, in 2011, I was asked to capture my first wedding. It was such an incredible experience to be trusted with documenting such an important day. I realized that wedding photography combined everything I loved about the craft—creativity, connection, and storytelling.

I’ve always been passionate about photography, but I explored other paths too. I worked in retail management and corporate creative roles, but none of them felt as fulfilling as being my own boss and running my own business. I missed the freedom and the deep connections I formed through photography. By 2021, I’d moved around a bit, had two adorable kids, and was navigating the chaos of toddler life. I quickly realized I needed a creative and positive outlet to balance everything. Relaunching my photography business full-time felt like the perfect fit. It gave me the opportunity to do something I’m passionate about while maintaining flexibility for my family.

As a wedding photographer, I offer both photography and videography services—separately or together. Whether I’m capturing everything as a solo shooter or working with second shooters for additional angles, I ensure that every moment is documented beautifully. My style is a blend of documentary storytelling and subtle posing, but above all, I focus on authenticity. I strive to create moments that feel natural and unforced, allowing my clients to look back at their photographs or films and remember the genuine joy of their day.

I specialize in a hands-on approach and pride myself on maintaining a calming presence. From the initial planning stages to the wedding day, I’m here to affirm and support my couples. When questions arise or unexpected challenges occur, I’m there to ensure everything is handled smoothly. My ability to anticipate emotions and moments allows me to deliver a high-caliber experience that my clients have praised time and time again as one of the best decisions in their wedding planning process.

What sets me apart is my dedication to my clients’ happiness throughout their journey—from planning to the big day and beyond. I aim to over-deliver and exceed expectations, creating a seamless and joyful experience that culminates in my clients holding their wedding albums with pride. It’s this commitment to excellence that drives me to continually raise the bar and deliver memories that will be cherished forever.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

For me, building my reputation in the market has been all about networking and getting to know the other vendors in the area. By forming strong relationships, I’ve been able to expand my network and create opportunities for collaboration and referrals. When I show up at a wedding, I make sure my clients never see me sweat the small stuff. I handle every situation with enthusiasm and ease, always aiming to go the extra mile to deliver an exceptional experience. This approach helps me stand out and ensures that my clients feel confident and well taken care of and ultimately leading more and more vendor referrals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Time freedom it allows for my family, and the rewarding experience to document love stories over and over again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://morgankayphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgankayphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morgankayphotog/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@morgankayphoto

Image Credits

@morgankayphoto