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

Moriah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was born and raised in small town Indiana. I shot my first wedding in 2017 and quickly grew my business. By 2021 I was shooting 25 weddings a year. In November of 2021 we picked up and moved to Jacksonville. At the time, I had started an online boutique with a business partner and took a risk of moving to Jax to open a store front. We were open for about a year and a half. Being a storefront owner took almost all of my time and my photography business took the back-burner.

Once we closed the store and my business partner and I parted ways, I started to have more time to focus on ME and my business. 6 months into 2024 I surpassed my annual income from my first couple years in Florida.

I took a risk by moving here & starting my photography business all over again. I took a risk on a retail business that didn’t pay off, but did help me meet so many clients, friends and connections. Now, I love where I live and love where I get to shoot and do my job every day. Moving here didn’t quite pan out how I thought it was going to, but the end result I think was even better!

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

Hey there, I’m Moriah! I’m a wedding + lifestyle photographer based out of Jacksonville, FL but originally from Indiana. I shot my first wedding in 2017, went full-time in 2020, moved to Jax in 2021 and haven’t looked back!

Aside from weddings, I also shoot families, grads and branding sessions. After moving to Jacksonville, I noticed inquiries still coming in from back home. I started building a team of photographers and videographers in both states to be able to service more and more clients!

Now I take pride in being able to offer both photo + video in our packages in both states. This is super helpful, as you can check off two boxes at a time! My true-to-color editing style is also extremely timeless and seems to be a top selling feature for clients for both wedding and lifestyle sessions.

Your wedding will be one of the most memorable days ever and I’m so pumped to share that experience with you. Photographer & personal cheerleader mode – unlocked!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first moved here, I was pouring every single moment of time, effort and money into a business that in the end was not profitable. In 4 years of business with an ex-business partner, with multiple different businesses, I NEVER took home one paycheck unfortunately.

I say all that, not to focus on the failed business, but to stress the fact that while I was pouring 70+ hours a week into a business that wasn’t providing an income for my family, I had to STILL make money with my photography business. Moving from the midwest to Florida nearly doubled our monthly expenses and I was the breadwinner in my home. My husband was even unemployed for 4 months during this season.

When push came to shove, I had to do anything I could to bring in income. I would follow/unfollow on instagram every day, along with DM random women on instagram and offer them $50 off of a family session in a desperate attempt to gain bookings. To this day, I have recurring clients from that initial connection. Even shooting free sessions for people and teams that could promote and tag, such as the UNF cheer team, was a crucial part in growing my business.

Somehow by the grace of God, and amazing referrals through word of mouth, my business began to grow and grow in Jacksonville.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the beginning of starting my business, it was simply just a hobby that I could make a little bit of side money with. I was utterly terrified to quit my career in education and to go full-time during Covid. It just felt like the right time to do it, with more of a “why not” mentality.

However, now that I’ve moved across the country, had to put more intentionality in growing my business, and have been outside of the “real job” world for 4 years now, I now realize my WHY. I want time freedom. Freedom to earn without a cap. Freedom to do my job from anywhere in the country or the world.

Now that I’ve had a taste of that (in the last 8 months of not being held down by 3 other businesses), I truly love my job and love my life. And that is what drives me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://humbleandgracephoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humble.and.grace.photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humblegracephotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@moriahmcnutt5659