Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Melia Kindsvater
Hi Meghan Melia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography started as a hobby while I was in graduate school for my business degree. I was always drawn to story telling and archiving meaningful moments. A close friend asked me to photograph their wedding, and thirteen years later I have traveled the entire country, and internationally to document wedding days for over 350 couples.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a mostly smooth road, with things like a global pandemic along the way. The industry has evolved a lot over the last decade and I’ve had to learn to evolve with it while still staying true to my style and business values.
During COVID, the industry essentially shut down. Immediately before losing half of my income I had been contemplating what the future of being a wedding photographer meant for me. How much longer was I going to be relevant or want to stay in the profession? I was quickly reminded how much I loved working weddings when there weren’t any weddings to work. Being a part of a wedding day is truly a gift, and I missed it. I realized how it fueled much of my creativity and inspiration.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I predominately photograph weddings and families. I opened a studio in Nashville, TN in 2023 that is used for commercial and editorial work and is also rented to other creatives in the area for their use.
The goal is for a person looking at one of my photographs to feel it in their guts. To preserve a moment in time so that even those who weren’t actually there can experience every detail, every emotion. I spend a lot of time acting as a witness to life’s very best memories. For that, I am incredibly grateful.
The first time I lost my breath looking at an image I had created, I knew I had found what people spend their whole lives searching for. I have spent most of the last six years living in a van and documenting wedding days all across the country and internationally. From Italy – New York – California – Florida – Alaska and everywhere in between.
What are your plans for the future?
Plans for the future include working more overseas and expanding the studio spaces in other metro areas. Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago. In this previous year, more couples have invested in having their weddings documented with film, and I hope to be able to offer darkroom and developing services on site.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meghanmelia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanmelia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanmeliaphotographer
Image Credits
All images taken my me – Meghan Melia.
