I got my first camera when I was in Middle School. It was a silver Canon Powershot, and man did I take that baby everywhere. I had moved from a small town in Northern Michigan to Manila, Philippines, and I became infatuated with the people, culture and new surroundings. It was the first time living in a third-world country and everywhere I looked their was beauty in simplicity. I wanted to take pictures of all of it because I knew someday I would want to share it with someone who wasn’t there with me.

That’s where my love for photography began, with storytelling.

I didn’t go to school for photography. At that time, YouTube wasn’t the educational sensation it is today so learning how to use my camera meant I had to read the manual, ask lots of questions and go shoot. But practice came easy, because I wanted to document everything.

While living in the Philippines, my parents spent years working with the homeless, providing jobs and a voice for the marginalized through a published street paper. My dad wrote stories and my mom took photos.

It was my dad’s passion for writing that taught me that the narrative matters and my mom who
showed me the raw and beautiful way that photographs tell a narrative.

Now, more than a decade later and my love for photography and capturing peoples stories has only grown. Never in a million years would I have thought this would be my life at age 30. And three years ago when I decided to give this business thing a go, I never imagined it would bring me here: to a place of so much fulfillment, joy, inspiration and hope for the future. With each couple or wedding I get the honor of photographing I am reminded over again that this is my calling…to find the beauty of relationships, the beauty in people.

Yes, it’s been hard. OH MY GOSH, has it been hard. When I started my business I was starting from scratch. I googled things like “how to get a business license” or “what’s the difference an LLC, Sole Proprietor, S Corp & C Corp.” The first year brought lots of questions and in turn, lots of growth.

I learned early on that one of the best ways to really pivot and grow is by investing in myself through education. Things like Youtube tutorials, business webinars, online classes, in-person workshops and mentor sessions. There is so much to learn about running a business. Topics like finances, client experience, contracts, marketing, workflow, branding, social media… you name it, I’ve tried to study it. Yes, it’s not cheap, but the investment far outweighs the cost!

In the end, all of the hard work and education I’ve put into this business has made me a better photographer, yes. But more than that it’s taught me how to better show up for my couples and go above and beyond in my client experience. I love what I get to do and it’s because of the people and their stories that I keep doing it!

Here are some of the resources, educators & workshops that were influential in helping my business:
– workshops & educators: Evolve // WRKSHP // Monique Serra // Jenna Kutcher // Evelyn Rupp // Lindsey Roman // India Earl
– online resources: Honeybook // Creative Live // The Law Tog // SLR Lounge // The Rising Tide Society

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Mary Lewis Photographer is a Documentary California Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, that loves adventuring across Northern California capturing images that are raw, honest, and filled with meaning and emotion. Mary specializes in photographing Weddings, Elopements, Couples & Families from Tahoe, Sacramento, Yosemite, and beyond. Learn more about Mary Lewis Photography and her wedding and lifestyle prices.