Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Fulcher
Hi Mackenzie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Surprisingly, I didn’t start in photography from the jump. I’m actually an MSW, LSW and worked as a hospice social worker for years before I went full-time photo. However, I like to say that I still get to serve others, just in a different capacity.
I was always the one growing up who had a camera in my hand. School parties, events, out and about- I always had a digital camera on me, or a disposable I couldn’t WAIT to have film developed from. I’ve always loved the way a photograph can tell a story, and it could be a different one depending on who was looking at it. I love the artistic and visual aspects of photographs as well, and how they freeze moments into tangible memories. I started off more professionally just with a small camera when my kids were super little just capturing my family and working with brands creating content. I then had some great friends encourage me to start taking photos for others.
I was sitting on my couch one day at home with my husband, looking at wedding photography, and just thinking to myself, “how did those people GET there? They are literally photographing someone’s most important day of their lives so far.” My husband has always been my biggest supporter, and believed in me in that moment even when I didn’t yet. We went out after that, bought my first “nice” camera, and I started teaching myself everything. I started taking photos for families and friends, and eventually someone hired me to capture their elopement. After that, it just snowballed into where I am today, and I am so, SO grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not always been easy. Some initial struggles were having no “educational background” in photography and knowing no one in the industry to start. I watched so many YouTube videos and just had to figure things out on my own. Then, my husband was military, so when we moved from Florida back home to Ohio, I had to start from scratch with new clients here. Then when you really get into the thick of wedding photography, you have to handle things like comparing your work to others, navigating different clients, the cost of continuing education/equipment/softwares, and dealing with crises. My most consistent struggle is balancing work/life balance. I have guilt some days that I’m working or doing things away from the kids and my husband. Unfortunately for wedding photographers, most of our “work days” are weekends, when everyone else is off. My kids think I’m gone a lot, when really I’m only gone on the weekends and home all weeks while they’re in school. So I’m constantly trying to find ways to make sure they feel important, seen, and trying to make it to everything I can- even if its just a practice or the last 5 minutes of a game. I want them to see that it was important to me to be there for them because they’re the real important one, not just my photography work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My main work is wedding photography, although I do shoot other things when I have availability. I specialize in digital and 35mm film, and I describe my style to others as “documentary, with an editorial flair.” I really try to think outside of the box when I’m shooting whether that’s an angle that’s unique, a perspective that helps tell the story, or setting my couples up in prompts and poses that capture their relationship in a fun way. I think I am most proud of the fact that I’m self-taught, and now I get to help others through mentorships and other things that I wish I had more of when I was starting out.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think the experience I give my clients is most important to where I am right now. I truly think that how I made my clients FEEL, is 75% of the job, and the other 25% is delivering photos I hope they love. I try to take any stress away from my brides that I can, which usually means doing more than just taking photos on their day. I’ve been one to help moms button dresses, helped put in veils, get stains out of dresses, dabbed tears off cheeks, sewed buttons on suit jackets, etc. I want my clients to feel like they don’t have to worry about a thing- they can just enjoy their day and be fully present, and know they can trust me to handle the rest. I truly value and care about my couples, and I think that also translates in my work after the day is done.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $4000
- Elopements start at $2000
- Other sessions start at $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mackenziefulcherphoto.showit.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mackenziefulcherphoto
