We were lucky to catch up with Sammy Mckenzie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sammy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’m completely self-taught, and it all started when I first picked up a camera in seventh grade and downloaded Lightroom Classic. From that moment on, everything I’ve learned has come through a mix of trial and error, research, experience, workshops, classes, and lots of good old-fashioned practice.

I’m incredibly grateful to have had years to grow my craft. Later on, I had the opportunity to attend a college with an amazing photojournalism program, where I learned from one of the most inspiring documentary photographers I’ve ever met.

In my experience, the biggest obstacle in becoming a photographer isn’t the technical skills—it’s learning to quiet your inner critic. Letting go of perfectionism and simply getting out there to shoot was a game-changer for me. That freedom to create is what shaped me into the photographer I am today.

I credit much of what I know not just to hands-on experience, but also to the generosity of the photographers who mentored me early on. I picked up a camera at 15 and never put it down. Every shoot, whether it’s a wedding, event, or even casual moments with friends or family, has taught me something new.

For any young photographer looking to grow, my biggest piece of advice is this: just keep shooting. Don’t let your camera collect dust—carry it with you, stay curious, and be ready to capture life as it happens. And just as importantly, seek out mentors. Learning from those who’ve walked the path before you is one of the most powerful ways to evolve your craft.

Sammy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Sammy McKenzie, and I’m a documentary-style wedding photographer. I first picked up a camera at age 15, capturing anything and everything—friends, family, the world around me. What began as a creative hobby quickly turned into a passion. I started taking on senior portraits, family sessions, and just about any project that allowed me to create. But when I went off to college in 2020, I was introduced to the world of weddings—and everything changed. I’ve been in the wedding industry ever since, and nearly five years later, I still get those pre-wedding jitters as I roll up to the venue. That nervous energy? It reminds me how much I care.

As a wedding photographer, my approach is deeply client-centered. The experience I offer means more to me than anything tangible I deliver. If the couple leaves their wedding day feeling seen, supported, and fulfilled—then I know their gallery will reflect that same joy and emotion. For me, a happy bride at the end of the night means I’ve done my job right.

I never set out to be a wedding photographer—it happened organically. I was lucky to assist a few of my mentors at weddings early on, and that’s when the spark caught fire. I leaned into that love and started booking my own. I shot over 20 weddings in my first full year, nearly 30 in 2024, and by March 2025, I’ll have photographed over 100 weddings. It’s more than a job to me—it’s a calling. I pour my whole heart into every wedding I photograph, and that love and care are what inspired my tagline: made with love.

What sets me apart is my hands-off, supportive approach on a wedding day. I’m not there to control the day—I’m there to observe, support, and celebrate alongside my couples. My goal is always to blend in like an old friend or a member of the bridal party. I focus on organic, candid imagery that tells the real story of the day, not a manufactured version of it. I also love incorporating 35mm film into my work. It brings a layer of nostalgia and an emotional depth that can’t be replicated—and it adds beautiful variety to the gallery.

I’m constantly evolving in my craft, always learning something new with each wedding I shoot. The worst thing I could imagine as a creative is becoming stagnant. I actively seek out inspiration, not just to grow as an artist, but to keep creating timeless, emotive work that resonates with people long after the day is over.

At the heart of it all, I do this because I love documenting people. I love documenting life. I love love. What can I say? I’m a romantic through and through—and I handle every wedding day with deep care, intention, and so much heart.

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

The mission behind my work is simple: to document life—honestly, meaningfully, and with heart. My goal isn’t to be the “best” photographer out there, but to be a true documentarian—someone who notices the in-between moments, captures them, and preserves them with care. I always have my camera with me, ready to honor the beauty of everyday life and the milestones that shape it.

What drives me most, though, is the people. I love getting to know my clients, learning their stories, and forming real connections. Many become lifelong friends. I’ve had the joy of photographing not just their weddings, but also their maternity sessions, family portraits, and all the little chapters that follow. Being invited into someone’s life in that way is an immense privilege—one I don’t take lightly.

At my core, I’m a servant-hearted person. Photography, to me, is another way to love and care for people—to enrich their lives by preserving moments that matter. While photography can sometimes feel like a luxury, I also see it as a necessity. Everyone deserves to have their story documented and remembered. If I get to play a small part in telling that story, I’m truly honored.

That’s what keeps me going, nearly five years into this industry. The people, the purpose, the passion. It all pushes me to keep learning, growing, and showing up as the best version of myself—for every client, every story, every time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn in my wedding photography journey is the need to strive for perfection. Early on, I believed that every image had to be perfectly composed, sharply in focus, and technically flawless. But over time, I’ve realized that some of the most meaningful photos are the imperfect ones—a slightly crooked frame or a motion-blurred moment that holds raw emotion and tells a deeper story.

On a wedding day, the “big” moments—the first kiss, the walk down the aisle—are often captured on a dozen iPhones. But the quieter, more fleeting moments? A flower girl picking a petal from a rose. A cousin you haven’t seen in years laughing with the bride. These are the kinds of moments that often go undocumented, and those are the ones I’ve learned to look for and treasure. If I can capture those moments, it doesn’t matter if the photo is a little messy—it matters that it exists.

Of course, I still strive to meet the artistic and technical standards of wedding photography. I know couples want their beautifully posed, perfectly lit portraits for the mantle. But I’ve also learned to embrace the beauty in the unscripted. The windblown hair, the imperfect light, the candid grin mid-laugh—these are the images that hit the heart.

A wedding gallery is all about balance. The polished portraits are important, but so are the real, unfiltered slices of joy that might have otherwise been forgotten. I now remind myself often: just because a photo isn’t “perfect” doesn’t mean it won’t become someone’s favorite.

In the end, the worst photo is the one that was never taken.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sammymckenzie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picturesbysammy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sammymckenziephotography/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktoksbysammy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits

All images by Sammy Mckenzie Photography