Rising Stars: Meet Mallory Teichthesen of Capital Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Teichthesen.

Hi Mallory, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Montague Michigan, a small German town on Lake Michigan. I instantly got inspired by my wonderful parents love for each other, our almost 200 year old family farm and just experiencing life around me. After going to Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids Michigan, with an emphases on Renaissance art history, I went and lived the best life possible. Along the way, a lot happened, some great, and some devastating. Iv been playing with film photography since 2010, but never got serious till 2023. Film photography has been my way of documenting, processing and loving my family, friends, complete strangers and the struggles of life. I moved to Denver Colorado in 2021 for my current corporate job in the outdoor industry. While trying to work with corporate America demands, mental health, continuously working on my art, It’ was hard making friends in my 30’’s (I’m currently 34), so to help myself get out of my comfort zone and make new friends, I started to go to film photography events at a local film lab called Not Another Film Lab here in Denver. During this time I found a great group of creatives I call my dear and some best friends. I’m thankful for all that my friends have taught me, for the encouragement my parents and sister give me to continue to show the world how I see its chaos and beauty.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Art is never smooth.

For me, the biggest challenge (and continues to be) is inspiration. This could mean a lot, work could be draining me mentally and physically and I put my art to the side. Relationships be that partners or friends, could be going through a rough patch and it pauses my creative process. Life gets very repetitive. We wake up, go to work and come home. To get myself out of these creative blocks, I hit the refresh button. I start reading my silly romantic fantasy books, watch my favorite movies, deep clean my apartment and sit down with the loves to help each other through this crazy thing we call life. Communication is the key, with yourself and others.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Wow, this question has a lot to process. I currently work in the outdoor industry for an amazing company called Sea To Summit in their North American headquarters here in Denver. I have many hats in the company, too many to write down, but they have given me great inspiration for the love of the mountains and the foot print we leave on this earth. I put that love into my art. Exploration and the creative process go hand in hand. With this understanding and love for the world outside, I took both sides of me. My love for candid portrait photography and Nature. I put the two together. I’m the friend with a strong old fashion in one hand and my camera in the other. I document my amazing friends, beautiful people I see on the streets here in Cap Hill, and all that is in between. I lean more towards vivid colors, and higher in contrast. Kodak Portra 400, Lomography color 400, CineStill 400D and CineStill 800T are my consistent film rotation. The action shots of pure joy and love is what I’m known for. I capture the glance you make at a beautiful stranger, the way you look at the love of your life, true human nature.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Oh my goodness! I love this question. I would have to say, growing up in the 90s was iconic and ideal. I was raised around anything and everything that went fast. Cars, motorcycles, and hopped up go-carts. My dad’s love and passion for American hot rods is even how I got my name, yes really, I was named after my dad’s sponsor when he dragged raced. Mallory Ignition. I remember being so little, I was sitting in my pink Barbie jeep car, eating Dunk A-Roos and watching my dad fix cars. I still do this every time I’m home. Our passion for cars is still a massive part of my family’s life, my dad collects many cars now (to much of my mother’s dismay) and my dad and I still drag race to this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mallorylynnfilm.com/
• Instagram: @malloryteichthesen

Image Credits
Black and White portrait of myself is done by Sav Klear.