Life and Work with Megan Morello

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

Megan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was fifteen, I got a signed worker’s permit so I could work weekends at a pizzeria near my house. I was by far the youngest employee and initially the only female. I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Yes, I took orders, helped make pizza, and ate for free on the job; but I may have also served beer on stressful days when the bartender didn’t show and eventually learned there’d been a sting operation that had resulted in the arrest of one of my co-workers. It was definitely an education for a naïve teenager. Little did I know it would also be my first foray into a decades-long working relationship with food.

Studying nutrition in college was decidedly tamer than my pizza days. I waited tables in a Mexican restaurant and went on to become a nutritionist/dietitian. I worked in a variety of settings- hospitals, community colleges, until eventually landing in public health nutrition serving low-income mothers and children. I loved the clients and I loved the staff, but by this point I had spent the majority of my career feeling like a frustrated creative.

Luckily there was one co-worker in particular who held space for my creativity and photography and ensured I had plenty of opportunities to flex those muscles. Thanks to her, I routinely photographed food on the clock and went on to produce visual content that was featured in nutrition education and marketing initiatives throughout California. Finally, it dawned on me that food and photography could have a happy marriage.

Fast forward many daydreams, plenty of tears, and several years later to the birth of my second son. I returned to work after my maternity leave and felt increasingly frustrated by the miniscule percentage of my paycheck that remained after paying for childcare for two kids. After a lot of number crunching and encouragement from friends, family, and even co-workers, I decided it was time to take the leap and get serious about my photography business. Initially, I was so nervous (actually it still makes me nervous) about investing money in my business, but interestingly enough, a day after my first big investment, I also got my first significant job offer. Talk about great timing. I’ve slowly but steadily been inching forward ever since.

Has it been a smooth road?
I liken my journey more to a long-distance trail run than a smooth road. It’s been exhilarating and scenic with definite moments of being in the zone, but also a steady uphill climb into the unknown with lots of little bumps along the way. The top (whatever that means) is starting to feel like it might be around one of these bends really soon, but I’m not there yet!

For me, growing a thicker skin has been imperative. The photos I create feel like such an extension of myself, that it’s challenging not to take rejection personally. I have to continually remind myself that rejection is just part of the process. It’s not personal or a reflection of my worth.

As far as advice goes, I’d say allow yourself to be uncomfortable. We all know growth comes from outside the comfort zone. Humans amaze me with their capacity to rise to the occasion. When I’m feeling really nervous about something, so much so that I don’t want to do it, I know that’s the sign that I MUST do it. There may be a lot of initial apprehension, but those are usually the situations I walk away from thinking, “Wow, I am SO glad I made that happen.”

Also, reach out to people who are already successfully doing what you’d like to do (or something similar). How’d they get to where they are? What were their biggest challenges? What advice to they have to offer? When I’ve practiced this, I’ve been overwhelmed with how receptive and how kind people can be!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Megan Morello Photography – Storytelling Plate by Plate – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a food photographer. I love working with individuals and businesses that value health, food equity, community, and the environment. Not coincidentally, all of these values are very inter-related and certainly bound by food.

I shoot in a variety of locales-my home studio and on location in restaurants, in kitchens, and at food-centric events. My job title invites a lot of weird looks. I mean, who doesn’t take pictures of their food these days? I recently had an old acquaintance tell me I’m too talented to take pictures of food (luckily, I love a good backhanded compliment). The thing about food is, it’s a thread that runs through every human story. I create images that showcase the beauty of the food itself, and that also allow people behind the food to shine.

I’ve often been told I’m a good listener, and while my abilities in this department surely fluctuate from day to day, both my desire to listen and my genuine interest in other humans have served me well in being able to communicate another person’s story and in executing another person’s vision. One of my biggest compliments to date was being told that my photos reflected the value of a client’s business back to them in a way they hadn’t seen it before. If I can be a mirror to reflect back beauty, value, and all the other good stuff that’s already there, then let me be a mirror!

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership in your industry or generally?
In general, I think there is not a lot of support for the female as a mother, or the family unit in our country. I was fortunate enough to begin my journey into motherhood while working for an organization that served women and children and therefore was sensitive to my needs as both an employee and new mother.

After comparing my experience with that of friends, I realized this was not the norm. Sure, protective workplace laws exist, but how and if they are enforced seems to vary greatly by employer. I think in some circles, motherhood is still viewed as a liability.

In photography, it seems like the tide is turning in what used to be a male-dominated profession. All of the photographers I have studied with or mentored with have been female. When I call to mind leaders in my field, most of the people I think of are women and that is encouraging.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meganmorello.com
• Phone: 6197606479
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytelling_platebyplate/

Image Credit:
Picture of me courtesy of Michelle Bowen Photography
https://www.instagram.com/michellebowenphotography/
All other photos By Megan Morello

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