Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Nelson.
Hi Tabitha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Tabitha Maegan Photography was started to document memories and slow down time. I always had a camera with me throughout school – I had a 110 camera some time in elementary school, then continued taking photos in middle school, high school, and got my first digital camera in college! I took my camera with me everywhere and documented everything. I was always (and still am) drawn to people and connection. There is something so special about looking back at old images, reliving the moment and remembering the exact feeling of what was happening and where I was when the photo was taken. When I would visit my grandparent’s house as an adult I always wanted to look through their stack of photo albums, asking who each person was, and what was happening in the photo. I had a food blog in 2015 that I worked on for a few years where I really learned to master lighting, manual settings, and composition, which was really great to help me hone in on my skills. It wasn’t long after that I started taking professional pictures of families, babies, milestones, birthday parties, and really anything a family was celebrating. It really started to bring me so much joy when I could document a feeling and freeze time of human connection & emotion. I started investing money and time into learning all about lifestyle photography and I quickly learned why it is such a good fit with my interests, and even how I want my own family photos to look. I want there to be some emotion and a story in the photos. Lifestyle photography to me, means capturing your family in a way that isn’t forced or stiff, and it feels natural. I do sometimes guide a family activity during family sessions and I find this really helps families to relax, and creates natural candid moments. There are so many moments during the lifestyle family session that can’t be recreated and I love that!
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?
I think overall when you learn a new skill there are some struggles along the way. When I first started expanding into lifestyle family photography I knew what I wanted to capture and how I wanted the images to look but I wasn’t really sure how to get there. I’m a self taught photographer but I wouldn’t be where I am without investing in education. There are so many “rules” about photography. I didn’t want my photos to look like everyone else’s. As I got more practice by meeting different families and developing my style I got more comfortable creating my own path.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I offer maternity, newborn, and family photography using a lifestyle approach. I also provide branding photography for small businesses. The branding photography includes creative portraits, not super stiff headshots in an empty, formal studio. I love color, connection, and I use that to be creative while also serving my clients. I got into lifestyle photography as a way to connect with others, share a story and a moment, be creative, and share my why. Many families contact me when they are pregnant, when they have a newborn, when they are celebrating a 6 month or 1 year baby milestone, and when they’re looking for a laid back spring, summer, or fall session. I include a photo album with each family session because I don’t think images should only live online. We live in such a digital world but we need to get your family’s art onto your walls! I have each client gallery connected to a professional lab so in order to make it easy for families to print images from their session, and many families do! I’m most proud to offer such a comfortable and personal session experience. The sessions are easy going, they’re fun. Yes, your toddler might whine or cry, but they bounce back so quickly. I don’t force interaction and I don’t force children (or dads) to participate in the photo if they aren’t ready. If they need a few minutes to warm up, we take a different set of images. 9 times out of 10 when we give the child a moment to take a brief break they come willingly! Lifestyle family photography lives somewhere between documentary photography and portrait photography. I search for good light, interesting elements and colors, and focus on documenting connection. Some families have really active children, some families have quiet children that take time to warm up. Each of their galleries from their session will stay true to lifestyle photography and my work, however each gallery is unique and that’s what I love about being a lifestyle photographer. I offer sessions in family’s home as well as outdoors.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I recently invested in a mentorship program and although it’s been just a few weeks I have already learned so much from the instructor, the cohort, and the amazing community that the instructor has created. Entrepreneurship can feel like such a solo job and I think it’s very important to have a community where you can connect with others that have a similar experience, and I think having someone to look up to will help guide you.
Pricing:
- Starting at $950
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tabithamaeganphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabithamaeganphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabithamaeganphoto
Image Credits
MDree Photography
