Conversations with the Inspiring Megan Wallach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Wallach.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Megan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My passion for photography stems from a place in me that loves to tell the story of peoples’ lives. I moved around a lot as a kid, an army brat. Colorado, Texas, Germany, back to Colorado, Georgia… and I felt that I could always connect the dots, no matter what, if I took photos. I wanted to remember every person, everything! Well, some things never change because I feel the same today, except now, I take that passion and offer it as a service to others.

If I had to pinpoint an exact moment when I knew I wanted to pursue my passion by creating a business it was probably when my friend Carrie Tabb, a sweet and gifted photographer here in Atlanta, invited me to second shoot a wedding with her. I remember rushing home at the end of it and waking up my husband who had wrangled our two (now three!) little girls all day and saying to him, “This is it!” I wondered to myself what other jobs on earth could ever feel like this big of honor to offer someone. From that point, I jumped in 100%, started an LLC, read tons of online education, offered loads of free sessions. I didn’t care about making money, I was having too much fun!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have definitely been bumps along the way. The funny thing is… none of the obstacles in my business have had much to do with anyone or anything outside myself. The biggest challenge for me as an artist is believing that I am worthy and that the art I create is worthy (whether others consider it good or not!)
I think I realized this struggle when what once felt like taking photos all of a sudden felt like “I hope they like their photos.” So, yeah, just learning to be steadfast and having grit in a world where no ONE photo will be beautiful to everyone who looks at it. That’s okay! It matters more the hearts in the photo and the heart of the one who took the photo. It’s been so freeing for me as an entrepreneur to learn to live bravely in that vulnerability. And that’s what I would tell any young entrepreneur. Don’t give up just because it FEELS difficult and don’t let emotions of self-doubt manipulate your art. Let JOY and FREEDOM and WORTHINESS manipulate your art. You WILL continue to get better. Stick to your style even if someone else doesn’t understand it. And if you see me around town, remind me of the same. The struggle is real! 😉

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Megan Wallach Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Yes, absolutely! Narrowing down what I love to photograph has been a key part of growing my business. When I first started, I photographed everything, said yes to every job, but then, I eventually had to “Marie Kondo” my way through my passion and ask myself what brought me joy, what felt natural. That joy landed me in photographing families, weddings, engagements, motherhood, and newborns.

I’m a lifestyle photographer which means I aim to capture images of true interactions between people. Oddly enough that can be kind of a tricky task once a camera shows up on the scene. For me, it’s best accomplished by truly loving and feeling empathy for my clients. No matter who I photograph, it’s always my goal to make the person feel as comfortable and safe in front of my camera as possible. Whether that’s connecting through our stories or celebrating the way they are doing something in front of the camera…” I love the way your baby girl is finding comfort in holding the seam of your dress in her hands. Let’s document that. She will cherish these photos of the two of you together someday.” A small reminder of what we’re doing here.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I’ve spoken a lot here about my business, but my most important roles are those of being a wife and being a mom to three little girls (6,4,2). As my business grows and as our family grows, I can’t help but notice the pressure (perhaps self-induced, perhaps culturally-induced) to BE IT ALL. The idea that I could all in one day meet all my kids’ needs, run a business, work out, SHOWER, make a well-balanced all-organic meal that is piping hot the minute my husband comes home from work makes me laugh out loud. Well, if I’m honest, it creates feelings of failure because this kind of day is few and far between for my family. But why do I feel like it’s what is expected of me?

To be a leader in this industry or any industry, I think we have to be comfortable at “failing” in some areas. I actually think it’s a bit detrimental to our lives to think we should/could BE IT ALL. When my husband and I met with the HOA committee in our new neighborhood they asked if I had any interest in being the chair of the cookie baking club. There aren’t enough laughing emojis in the world. I would TOTALLY fail at that, and that is okay! I think that as our culture becomes more empowering of women (as it should), we as women need to give ourselves the grace to prioritize our most precious possessions and nurture those with steadfast love and concern. Let the people who are good at baking cookies make the cookies. It will be okay.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meganwallach.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @meganwallachphotography

Image Credit:
Megan Wallach Photography

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