Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie McNeil.
Hi McKenzie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My photography journey began in January of 2018 when I was playing around with my best friend’s DSLR. For years I had loved cameras and the magic you could create with them, but I never had the camera I needed to make that magic. That same week I bit the bullet & went out and bought my first DSLR, a Nikon d3400. For about ten months, I shot for free, building my experience & portfolio. Then in November of 2018, I announced my business, McKenzie McNeil Photo. Since then, I’ve photographed countless faces of all kinds & have met so many great people. I will pretty much capture anything people ask me to, but my heart lies in portraits & weddings. I love having a single subject to adorn with all the fun camera tricks & artistic editing freedoms, as well as being apart of a couple’s best day ever. I have found that community has been very key in my life these past few years. My photography friends on Instagram and in life are constantly teaching and inspiring me. I recently moved to Georgia after living in Orlando for my whole life, but still visit Orlando for weddings and other types of sessions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just like with any art form comes the strain of self-doubt and discouragement when it comes to your own work. But I have fought through it by reminding myself that this art-form isn’t about “how can I please my audience with this that or whatever,” its about expressing YOUR heart & artistic vision; there will always be some audience there to resonate with your creations.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Along with my own personal business where I do all sorts of work like weddings, portraits, families, etc., I work and photograph for a brand called Klassy Network. They are a fashion brand and I have found so much joy in the creativity & beauty that comes with fashion photography. I am extremely proud of the fact I’m able to work with them. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is my genuine desire to connect with my clients. I am an extremely laid-back person with very little rules in my life and business. I love staying in touch with people I’ve worked with and truly getting to know them. Something random but interesting is my love for black & white photos. I love b&w so much because of the neutral state it naturally places an image, free from the opinions that come with color, saturation, hue, etc. It’s the bare bones of an image, forcing you to notice how it begs to be seen.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Passion and purpose. Without those two things, your heart can never truly be in something, and if your heart isn’t in something, I don’t believe it is right for you. Passion for what I do has led me to want to become better & better every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: mckenzie@mckenziemcneilphoto.com
- Website: https://www.mckenziemcneilphoto.com
- Instagram: @mckenziemcneilphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/mckenziemcneilphoto/services/
