Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Wood.
Hi Mary Beth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has always been something I’ve dabbled in, but I never considered it as anything more than a hobby. My college degrees were in Religion and Sociology from Georgia State University. I have always been fascinated with people, Urban culture, racial and ethnic interactions, and mothering. My husband, Chris, always took my photography dabbling more seriously than I did. He bought me new photography gear for each birthday and anniversary and encouraging me in my photography pursuits. In 2016, my daughter Lyla was born. My heart at the time was just to be equipped to document my three little’s lives. He bought me a new camera and a new lens that took my photography to a new level, and people started trying to hire me. What started as a desire to document the lives of my children quickly became an unexpected side hustle, and within a year or two became an unexpected full-time career. Over the last five years, I have worked hard to find balance between mothering little ones and pursuing a career that fills me full. It has given me a creative outlet, helped support our family, and given me an identity beyond “housewife” or “stay-at-home-mom.”
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?
The primary struggle has always been to find balance between my family and my snowballing work life. I never intended to pursue a career while my children were little – it has been a tricky and unexpected blessing. My children need me in the evening to help with homework and take them to piano lessons and soccer practices, but “golden hour” is my favorite time to photograph families and engagement sessions. I have had to set strong boundaries to protect my time with my kids during these little years!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I primarily photograph families during the golden hour of evening and Saturday weddings. I specialize in candid, natural interactions, warmth and joy. I also shoot weddings, and that branch of my business has grown organically! I love photographing couples because you are freer to do creative shots and go to interesting places. When you are working with a couple, the sky’s the limit – chasing toddlers is a little more limiting (though I love rascally toddlers).
I think my patience is actually what sets me apart. My clients come again and again because they feel safe and accepted in whatever state they are in… Whether navigating a stressful wedding day or getting several children to look and smile and obey all at the same time. I’ve been there too. My kids don’t always smile on command and definitely prefer to not keep the bow in their hair. I think my clients know that there is no judgment here – just a fun safe place for your family to be yourselves in.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Because I have primarily been an outdoor family photographer, people felt safe shooting with me even in the hardest parts of the 2020 Covid pandemic. I was (and still am) so grateful. My business didn’t suffer at all because people were free to be outdoors, and we easily maintained social distance during our sessions. I wore a mask when I felt it was needed, and we continued to document our lives as they were. I did a rainbow series of photos during the Shelter In Place mandate that was such a sweet experience for myself and my clients. I drove around to client’s homes and videoed and photographed my sweet clients putting rainbows in their windows to remind us we are “all in this together.” It was a scary but sweet time for me and my family. During the pandemic, my wedding load became one of small backyard weddings and elopements. I loved the authenticity and intimacy of these sweet ceremonies, and to this day they are some of my favorite weddings I have photographed.
Contact Info:
- Email: marybethwoodphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.marybethwoodphotography.com/investment
- Instagram: @marybethwoodphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/marybethwoodphotography
Image Credits:
Mary Beth Wood Photography
