We recently had the chance to connect with Kim Magers and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kim, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing a life that feels like mine. A life where I’m not just surviving the day or reacting to everything around me, but actually moving toward something that feels right. I want freedom with my time, my choices, and my future. I want stability for my kids, where they feel safe, supported, and loved, and where I get to show up as the best version of myself.
I’m chasing confidence, peace, and the feeling of being grounded instead of overwhelmed. I want momentum. I want to grow my business, grow my creativity, and grow into the person I’ve been trying to become. I’m chasing a version of my life that is successful on my own terms steady, meaningful, and aligned with who I really am. Stopping isn’t a word that exists in my world. If I quit, I’d lose everything I’ve worked so hard to build the progress, the growth, the dreams I’m chasing. So stopping just isn’t an option.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a self-taught photographer who somehow juggles motherhood, homeschooling, and running a growing photography business. I specialize in portraits, weddings, families, and product photography, and I’ve built my brand around capturing real, honest moments the kind people look back on and feel. What makes my story unique is that I started this journey with nothing but curiosity, determination, and a camera I barely knew how to use. Now I’m creating work I love, building a community, and constantly pushing myself to chase bigger dreams. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my client base, growing my social media presence, and creating content that inspires other creatives not to give up, no matter how wild their dreams seem.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that if I had just been better, things would have turned out differently. I carried that guilt quietly for years, and it shaped how I approached life and even my work, always feeling like I had to prove myself. Now, as an adult, I understand that those things weren’t a reflection of my worth. Letting go of that belief has been one of the most freeing and empowering parts of my journey, and it’s taught me how to show up fully for myself, for my creativity, and for the people I love.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things success never could. It taught me resilience, the kind you only earn by getting back up when no one’s clapping for you. It taught me patience, humility, and the ability to sit with myself when life gets loud and messy. Most of all, it showed me what really matters and who I actually am when everything comfortable is stripped away.
Success feels good, but suffering shaped me. It gave me depth, compassion, and grit which are the qualities I rely on the most in my life and my work.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the photography industry is that everything has to look perfect. The work, the life, the brand, the workflow. There’s this unspoken pressure to pretend we always have it together, that every shoot is flawless, that we’re constantly booked, constantly inspired, and never doubting ourselves.
Another lie is that expensive gear or the ‘right’ equipment is what makes a great photographer. It’s not. Vision, connection, timing, and the ability to make someone feel comfortable are what actually matter.
And maybe the biggest lie of all is that everyone else is your competition. The truth is, this industry thrives on community. We grow faster when we share, collaborate, and cheer each other on instead of pretending we’re all in some secret race.
The more honest I’ve become about those lies the burnout, the pressure, the learning curves the more freedom and purpose I’ve found in what I do.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope that people talk about what kind of mother I am, that my kids always feel loved, supported, and safe with me. I hope they remember my patience, my humor, my resilience, and the way I show up for them even on the hard days. More than anything, I want the story people tell to be that I love my children deeply and raised them to believe in themselves, chase big dreams, and know they are never alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://magersphotography.wordpress.com
- Instagram: magersphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimmagersphotography/
Image Credits
Magers Photography
