Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Fortune.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mariah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was never the girl that knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. I never dreamed of being a vet, or a doctor, or anything else any little girl had in mind. I loved to be outdoors and be surrounded by nature. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college when I bought my first camera and instantly fell in love with photography. I started like any amateur, doing photo shoots of my friends and family for fun. My passion soon became professional when I was hired to shoot my first wedding. This was really the ultimate start of my photography career. The day I found out I was going to be shooting a wedding, I went and bought a brand new camera. I will never forget the feeling I felt that night after leaving the wedding. The first thing I did was call my mom. I called her with tears of happiness rolling down my face, saying “mom, I know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be a wedding photographer.” I was absolutely captivated. How could photography make me feel this way? How could it fill every single void I’ve felt or the jealousy of watching everyone else start their careers. To this day, I still can’t fully put into words how I feel when I have my camera in my hands. It feels like every worry is lifted off my shoulders. The relationships I’ve made with my clients and being able to capture these precious moments. Thankful. That’s really the only word that comes to mind when I think of what photography has done for me as a person. The happiest I’ve ever been in my life is when I have my camera in my hands taking pictures of awesome in love couples. All the adventure. Friendships. Connection. Growth. All of it. I really could never express my gratitude.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of my biggest struggles has been comparing my work to other professionals, especially early in my career. Once I was able to focus on my own technique and style is when I really started to grow. My advice to anyone starting their journey of owning their own business is to not worry about what others are doing but to focus on your own personal strengths that make you unique. Looking back, I never thought I would make it this far, but I’m so thankful for my hard work and dedication to becoming the best version I can be, and I can’t wait to watch myself succeed in the future.
We’d love to hear more about Mariah Fortune Photography.
As a wedding photographer, it can become very stressful. I think my best trait is going Into a wedding day knowing my strengths and providing my couples with the ultimate experience. I never want my clients to feel like they are just a client. I want to feel a connection with each and every person that steps in front of my lens. I want to be your friend and someone you trust to capture every single moment. I think this is really what makes me stand out in this photography community. I want to tell a visual story, and show love throughout each image I take. I’m of course, passionate about photography, but I really love, LOVE and that’s what makes my job easy.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Find someone who has the same career and business goals as you. Someone who can motivate you and show you how to achieve all of your goals. Someone who you look up to. As a photographer, my biggest mentors are not always other photographers but business owners that display passion and are determined to be the best they can be.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mariahfortunephotography.com
- Email: mlfortune22@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Mariahfortunephotography
Image Credit:
Mariah Fortune Photography
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