Daily Inspiration: Meet Maria Ahlbrandt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Ahlbrandt

Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I lived in Washington’s Puget Sound area for most of my life, and moved to Colorado almost 3 years ago with my husband and our first born. I was blessed enough to be surrounded by so much natural beauty as a child and learned to treasure it. Moving to Colorado as an adult, I fell in love with its unique charm. In a matter of a few hours you can go from towering mountains to rolling foothills and high prairie; it’s truly remarkable. Currently I’m a stay at home mom of two, with another on the way! I live a relatively simple life filled with cooking, cleaning, diaper changes and many “mundane” tasks, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As my family’s grown I’ve realized how quickly time goes by and want to savor every moment possible. I myself had a great want for photos of my little family but didn’t have the means. So, I thought if I could try my hand at photography and serve other people, how wonderful it would be! Taking photos of beautiful people in some of the most beautiful places… what could be better? Being the scrappy person I was raised to be, I gave it a go. I’m not classically trained but I’m a hard worker and I really do care about people, and that compensates for a lot. I’m so thankful I’ve been able to capture little moments for some of the sweetest families I know, and I hope for more opportunities to do the same for others I haven’t met yet. Whatever the occasion, I love to capture moments that people may cherish forever.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many obstacles along the way but I try to never let them discourage me. Whether it be a slow season with not many clients or last minute weather challenges, it’s not about how “successful” of a photographer I become but the chances I DO get to bless others. Whenever a client tells me how much they love their photos, it makes everything worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a local photographer who specializes in natural portraits, aiming for a genuine feel with professional execution. I believe what sets me apart is my goal to put my clients first. My top priority is to deliver photos that bring them joy every time they look at them!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was inspired by my cousin, who is a portrait photographer in North Carolina! She has blessed so many people, including myself, with photos that they love. I also have a sister who has experience in photography, as well as a husband who has a trained eye in graphic design. My husband is always the one I ask to review a gallery before I send it off to a client – he’s been a great help. I try not to overlook any resource that may improve my knowledge and know-how, including YouTube videos or other photographers on social media!

Pricing:

• $200 Full session (1 hour for 40-50 images)
• $100 Mini session (30 min for 15-20 images)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaahlbrandt?igsh=MTdzb3BxOXk3dTRwcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18vFfrt4L8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Maria Ahlbrandt Photography