Meet Meagan O’Neal of Meagan O Photography in Old Fourth Ward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan O’Neal.

Meagan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I went full-time with photography shooting weddings back in 2011 and it was originally my brides who approached me to shoot their boudoir sessions. I would usually go to their homes to shoot-which meant I never knew what I was walking into. So many creeper cats to photoshop out of the background. It wasn’t until 2014 that I decided to actually launch my boudoir photography studio. Making the decision to take on a studio was terrifying and included lots of prayers, tears and whine. But the response has been phenomenal. I absolutely love what I do!

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?
Ummmm…there were definitely some struggles along the way, to say the least. While the business itself took off, I had a *ton* of challenges that revolved around my first studio. I was only there for two years and in that time, we had eight leaks-one of which was a major flood that resulted in both the upstairs and downstairs floors to be ripped out and replaced, the walls to be opened up, dried and put back and rendered the studio useless for my business for 45 days. All of which happened the first month I was fully booked. There was a massive termite colony that would send swarmers out in droves each April. Meaning hundreds of those winged pests could breach my studio in under an hour. The AC would go out leaving it 100+ degrees upstairs. Someone also took a deuce in front of my door the morning I had my very first shoot in the new space.

There are many, MANY stories I could go on and on, but I moved to a new studio over a year ago and LOVE it. Haven’t had a single issue yet. Turns out the first building was just horribly mismanaged, but it definitely helped grow me into the businesswoman I am today!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Meagan O Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I take gorgeous boudoir photos of beautiful women of all shapes, sizes and ages. I think I’m a great photographer, but my special sauce is helping my client get comfortable with me and realize that they can totally do this! Boudoir photography can be overwhelming and nerve-racking, but all of my posing is based on concrete instructions like “breath in deep”, “arch your back”, etc. Directions that are easy to follow. Plus, I’m just a big, goofy, nerd-so we end up just laughing through most of the shoot.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I work super hard to overdeliver for my clients and I believe God brings them to me.