Conversations with the Inspiring Makenzie Grall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Makenzie Grall.

Makenzie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well… I would start by saying that my personality has come full circle. As a kid I was super outgoing, then life, made me feel small… and I let it. By the time I was in 7th grade, I talked so little that I did not really even know what my voice sounded like. (Sad, I know… Wish I was exaggerating.)

I spent the next decade plus, peeling back the layers of fear, anxiety, and complacency. I found a voice, I found strength, and I learned so much. I think this is a life long process, but I am so happy to be genuinely content with myself, and let the world know that I won’t be made to feel that small ever again. Though… I have always been able to fight for the people I care about. I will consistently be there to back people up, to love on them, and try my best to make lives better for those around me.

I think this is a crucial component for how photography solidified itself in my life. I am constantly in awe of the amazing people around me, both old and new, and I want them to see how they truly are. People focus so much on “flaws”… that they look past all of the glory that is right in their mirror.

Our differences are something I appreciate every day. I can’t tell you how much I adore learning from someone who has a different background, gender, personality, career, sexual preference, or ethnicity. I want to help people feel loved, included, and ok with being themselves. Photography is such an amazing way to appreciate uniqueness in another human being and ourselves.

As far as my career, I would say that photography was not always the plan, but it, overwhelmingly, made the most sense. I always had a camera with me… My grandmother started me off with those goofy yellow disposable ones from Walgreens (ya know… the ones that make the horrible clicking noise as you wind the film haha), and then it just evolved from there. Eventually, one day, I was sitting at my computer (trying to pick classes for my second semester at a community college that was sucking out my soul) and accidentally hit an advertisement on the sidebar. The ad was for an open house at the Art Institute, in Denver, the next day. I told my parents that we had to go. The rest is history… I fell in love with this school.

I ended up attending AI, for photography. I made so many amazing connections, learned about how to love and accept, not only myself but those around me. It was the experience of a lifetime. The whole way I saw the world changed. I became more bold, more creative, and now every moment of my life was a chance to make a photograph. That is quite literally how I walk around in my everyday life. Anywhere my eyes land, my brain goes, how can we make a photo of that, what are the colors of light in this room, and am I missing any details? I love it! I cannot thank my instructors enough for being such amazing humans and being so incredibly inspiring and dedicated to their craft and students! Even though the school itself was shady AF… those educators came to work every day, and influenced SO many creative futures! I could go on forever, bragging about my peers… seriously, wow!

Back when it was time to graduate high school, I was panicking about my future. Everyone else seemed to have a concrete plan, but I had NO IDEA what the outside world looked like. The one thing I did know was that photography was always there. So… that is what I went with.

Now, as a full-time photographer, I have the opportunity to make images for people who are madly in love and that express the individuality of person. There is something very special about making images of people who love this life, being creative, and trying new things, even through all the mess and heartbreak. I get to go to a job, where I know I am making a difference, that I am being authentically myself, and that I have new adventure to go on, every time I “clock in”.

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?
Smooth… haha. I’d say most roads are not made out of silk… In fact, I believe the majority are filled with rocks, potholes, and the occasional deer smashing into you… But! That is ok! We need to have those negative experiences to help us be stronger and navigate our lives even better than we thought possible.

I would say that I struggled with many things in my business… But they all boil down to one thing (most of the time)… Fear. I was afraid to run a business. Period. I was afraid of taxes, I was afraid of needing more equipment and not having the money, I was afraid of not being able to find clients and most of all… I was afraid to want a career in something that was considered to not be a “Real Job”.

My advice? Well… I would say that it is mostly advice that I have heard countless times from other business owners, but put off because of perfectionist tendencies, and fear. (But I have a couple of my own to throw in as well.)

– Don’t be afraid to take risks!

-Meet new people. Find others who are different from yourself that you can learn from. Expand beyond your own front lawn. Not much is accomplished in comfort zones!

– Learn how to use more inclusive language and be more culturally aware. Not everyone has the same situation! For example: Using words like bae, spouse, etc. instead of bride and groom are good ways to help LGBTQ+ know that they are in a safe place. I also can’t stress enough how many wonderful lessons I have learned from being in an interracial relationship for four wonderful years now! My guy has opened so many windows to my heart and mind that I did not even know were not transparent.

– It is ok to fail! This is how we learn to do things better. (Trust me, I still have to majorly work on this one myself… I have to kill the desire to be perfect… Every. Single. Day.)

– When you get to the point where you know it feels right, and everything else makes no sense… just jump! Make yourself figure it out, so you do not spend the rest of your life hating what you do, because it was “Safe”.

– Take classes, invest in yourself! Get a loan, work on your credit… whatever you have to do to get the mental and physical tools that you need to succeed.

– Make sure you have good people around you. People who understand what it means to bust your ass to get something you want. People who will be honest with you, and not just tell you nice things (so they don’t hurt your feelings), so that you can grow. (My boyfriend, friends, and family have all helped me in so many ways! They encourage me, help me see how I can grow, and call me on my crap.) Sometimes friends can have the best intentions but still find ways to keep you at their same level. You don’t have to give up those friends, but if those are the only voices you hear, you need to find a circle of entrepreneurs who can help you grow, and have the same mindset.

(Honestly… one of the best moves that I made was joining a Facebook group of female only, photographers that was inclusive and preaches community over competition. I started asking questions, and throwing myself at every second shooter job I could get my hands on.)

– DO NOT throw away, or retaliate against, (CONSTRUCTIVE) Criticism. Let me be clear, being constructive does not mean they are tearing you down, calling you or your work unworthy, etc. The right kind of correction can help you grow. They will be able to tell you what they like about what you are doing, while also mentioning things you could improve on.

– Be realistic about your goals and try to focus on one thing at a time. You can’t do it all at once. As someone with anxiety, I cannot stress enough how important that is. When you look at all the things you need to do at the same time, it can overwhelm you, make it feel as though it would be impossible to get it all done and leave you so paralyzed that you feel like giving up entirely. If you have a giant meal to consume, you can only get it done, one bite at a time. Put stuff in order, and check off at least one box a day. Eventually… you fill-up the boxes!

Lastly… I think it is most important to mention… Do not let anyone (Including Yourself!!!) tell you that the job you desire is not a “Real” way to make money… and that you should just sit in your complacency for the rest of your life. (If other people are making money doing it… So can you!!!)

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Makenzie Grall Imaging story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in wedding and engagement photography!

(Though… I would be lying if I said that I did not LOVE shooting model work, occasionally, as well.)

My wedding work is warm, full of life, and adventure! I want to provide an experience that is unique to each client so that I can accurately capture what is essential about them. I don’t just take money, show up at a wedding, make some pictures, and leave… I am trying to let people know that I care about them, that they are my priority, not my bottom line.

When I am with my clients… I see them more like friends or family. I want to get to know you, and let your personalities shine. I want you to be goofy, take shots, sing songs, or cry… however you want your day to be! When a bride and groom exchange emotional vows… I usually have to stuff tissue in my glasses, just to keep shooting!! Haha! And if I am on an engagement shoot where they are just laughing their asses off, you can guarantee that I am right there with them, being goofy, and laughing till my face hurts too!

I am proud to say that I am a business that is open to all walks of life. I have had elopements where they shotgunned beers on top of a glacier. I have had a couple who had a cannabis bar, and even implemented it into the bouquets and decor! Love elopements at AirBnBs! If you have tattoos… are a same sex couple… want anything but a traditional wedding, or whatever your case may be… I am here for it! If you have ever been worried about being yourself around people, I want this to feel like home to you. I absolutely want to make sure that my clients feel like we can be 100% real with one another. I am not here to judge. As someone who sports a cross tattoo, I am a firm believer that divine love is for everyone, not a select few.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership in your industry or generally?
I feel that the biggest challenge with female leadership is, simply, hurt egos from the opposite sex, or just their egos in general.

I have second shot for a few male photographers before… and did not enjoy the experience. Not to say that I believe all male photographers are bad, but I think the sweet ones are a little more scarce. This is definitely a profession where it is easy to get caught up in how cool you think you are. (Or at least pretend you are.) I have even met a couple of female photographers with this toxic trait.

I just do not have time to work with men who are so self-absorbed… feeling like they are god’s gift to photography (or anything else for that matter). It seriously amazes me! It just gets really old after a while, and I found ways to make sure that I was shooting with more women and being VERY particular about the men that I work with. I worry that my eyeballs might get stuck rolling around in my head all day haha. (I could never imagine any of these men trying to just be a second shooter for me… I feel like they would hate every moment of it, and try to become the director instead of myself.)

Speaking directly about female leadership being difficult… sometimes it becomes self-destructive, for the opposite reasons stated above. (Again, I do not like to overgeneralize. I know that not ALL men are overconfident, and a pain in the butt.) I see so many more women second-guessing themselves! I think that is something we all need to learn a little something from the guys. It is ok to think we are awesome! Self-confidence and arrogance may feel the same to some, but there is DEFINITELY a huge difference, and I hope that more women start to see that for themselves.

I want all the ladies out there to know that they are awesome and that it is ok if they know that. Eff the haters! Be confident, and lead with grace.

Pricing:

• Elopements start at $1,100 (3 hours)
• Weddings start at $2,300 (6 hours, with free engagement! Travel up to 150mi.)
• Hour session fee is $350 (travel included, up to 150mi.)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mgrallimaging.com
• Phone: (818) 445-5116
• Email: makenziegrallphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mgrallimaging
• Facebook: /mgrallimaging

Image Credit:
Makenzie Grall

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