Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa McCraw.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I always had an interest in fine art and photography. After graduating college, I found myself in a social work job that although was somewhat rewarding, was depleting all of my emotional energy. Friends of ours had a successful wedding photography business and they invited me to learn the craft and to photograph their overflow. I soon began booking a lot of weddings and found myself in a crossroad whether or not to start my own business. I was absolutely terrified to go out on my own but another close friend said to me, “Lisa, you have to jump out of the boat to learn to swim.” So, I did. Full force…a little like a bulldozer. We quickly grew to an average of photographing 50 weddings. Next thing we knew, we were traveling the world from Italy to Jamaica, to Punta Cana, to LA, to New York, and many other fabulous locations photographing weddings.
I also began to submit images to contests and was honored to receive a multitude of awards and publishings.
As fantastic as all of the locations are, NE Ohio is my home and my heart. Even in the pandemic, we continued to photograph beautiful weddings…the focus just shifted a bit to more micro weddings and backyard weddings.
It’s been an absolute amazing journey and I am so humbled and grateful for every person, every place, and every opportunity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The wedding business is challenging. By nature, weddings are the perfect storm of expectation, emotion, anticipation, and anxiety. The most difficult challenge is to adapt to the many personalities and desires while keeping your eye on your own style and art. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new challenge emerges and the ability to roll with it all is a necessity. Technology has also changed through the years and it can be frustrating to learn a completely different piece of gear or software.
The pandemic changed the wedding industry. Micro weddings became more common. Venues struggled as backyard weddings emerged. Competition also increased since more individuals threw their hat in the ring due their jobs being eliminated.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
A wedding photographer wears a lot of hats. Photographers must have a solid grasp on their gear and how it performs in many different lighting conditions. Itineraries must be created and respected therefore photographers must create beautiful art in certain time constraints. The ability to be organized, thorough, respectful, and accommodating is a must. For me, I’m a nurturing person by nature. I’ve learned over the years how to create the best possible experience for not only our brides and grooms but their families and guests. I’m calm in a crisis, which has served me well since inevitably at every wedding something goes wrong.
I’m also a good learner. Even after 20 years in the wedding business, I continue to take classes to advance my skill level.
In addition, I possesses a love of fashion and interior design, which I bring into my work. I’m best known for fashion-inspired wedding photography.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is providing an artful product that reflects the emotion, beauty, and aesthetics of each wedding day. Success is also a full calendar, consisting primarily of referrals. Success is also the ability to step back after each wedding, clear my head emotionally, and prepare for the next. Success is being surrounded by people I love and respect. Success is the ability to support others and provide a loving nurturing environment.
Contact Info:
- Email: lisa@lmacphoto.com
- Website: www.lmacphoto.com
- Instagram: @lisalmacphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMACPHOTOGRAPHY
Image Credits
Lisa McCraw
