Meet Holly Mandarich | Storyteller, Photographer, Educator

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Mandarich.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In college, I majored in Visual Communications, and minored in Photography (running the school newspaper as a the photo editor) I knew more than anything that photography got me out and moving around, not sitting behind a computer the entire time, I naturally leaned into a photography to start my path. I came out of college with an internship at a newspaper in Calgary, Alberta, where the tabloid journalism world left me feeling discouraged and unmotivated. Even though I was so intrigued by the raw moments of human connection that would show up. I turned to my other skillset of Graphic Design and landed an internship at a full-service boutique marketing agency in Vail, Colorado.

In theory I had the “dream job” I was the first full on designer hire, working on multiple 5 figure websites, creating custom brands, and managing several retainer clients for the company, I felt full-filled in my accomplishments, received praise, and was helping others TELL THEIR STORY through marketing materials. I even had “powder days” where if it snowed more than 6 inches, our whole team was out skiing till noon. PAID! But something was missing. First and foremost, I was capped at making an underpaid salary with no health benefits, the debt started to pile up for health insurance, and after 2 years I started to get antsy, and after 4 years I knew that no matter how much bigger and better I wanted to grow, I couldn’t do it at this company, they fit into a box, and I wanted to fly free. I wanted to push the creative boundaries, and grow bigger. Before reaching the point of quitting, I started to lean into what “felt good” – and at the time what felt good was hiking 13 thousand foot mountains on the weekends with my lady friends – all while photographing the whole thing. I started documenting the moments that encompassed true joy, the mishaps, and the in-between, of the journey to the destination. I started to share these moments, and people started to notice.

Time and time again, I got the feedback that people could feel my photos, they would read my story recaps and recreate them. They would experience the joy, that I experienced in the moment quite literally.

And that’s when it clicked for me, I could find that spark of crazy human connection that I craved from journalism, be creative in my photography storytelling and be outside on adventures all while getting paid! It became all about creating authentic stories with photos and words – where people could relate to what they were digesting in their content. It became about the human emotion – the human experience and connection.

Before quitting my job, I started having people reach out to ME, for paid adventure opportunities and more. I realized that settling was never an option, and that what I felt in my gut was that I was here to share the stories and joy of others with the world. Because what’s better than being alive.

Today I document authentic stories of adventure, to bring back the human connection that sometimes gets lost in the marketing world. I also show other photographers how to hone and perfect their own storytelling skills! I believe that authenticity needs to take the forefront of all adventure content creation. Because people need to feel and experience the moment as if they were there themselves!

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?
I have definitely been on the broke train more than once. But after being in the freelance world for a long time now, I have learned the importance of building multiple streams of revenue for myself. As a photographer and storyteller, you have a plethora of avenues to take advantage of, that benefit others as well!

Beyond the money game. The biggest struggle has been knowing my worth. After being in a job that capped me out when I wanted to grow bigger and better – turning to working for myself changed things, I found myself putting caps, or limiting myself on what my growth could look like, when in reality I just needed to trust myself to grow as big as my heart desires!

I can honestly say that having a daily morning practice to come back to my goals, and sense of self-worth has allowed me to change everything. It has allowed me to show up as my best self, and to tell grand stories of adventure!

Tell us more about your work.
I am known for telling authentic stories of adventure. By creating content that speaks to the human emotion, and the human experience in the outdoors, I build foundational relationships and trust for my clients, by creating content that connects with their audiences. So much of the outdoor adventure world is unattainable, un-relatable and fake. I bring back the raw human aspects of people, and highlight it through photos and words on adventures. My content becomes less about the product and more about the people the product supports, because beyond a nice picture, lies an opportunity to connect. My clientele has ranged from companies like HydroFlask, Marmot, The Outbound, Nulo Petfood, 14er Bounder, Tourism Direct Marketing Agencies and more!

If you’re looking for a technical term of what it is that I do, I would call it: commercial photography + lifestyle photography.

My other big endeavor as of recent has been the launch of my podcast “Humans + The Outdoors” (www.hollymandarich.com/podcast) “Humans + The Outdoors is a show for those who are looking to explore their curiosity and dive deep into stories of adventure while opening up their perspective to what the outdoors can be. For their state of mind, for their body, for their soul, for society, and beyond. In addition to grand stories of adventure + the human relationship with the outdoors, l include topics like; Outdoors Rx, outdoor advocacy, outdoor healing modalities and more! I talk with real humans about their authentic endeavors outside. In my time I have found that authentic stories of adventure hold such a deep human connection, and in creating this podcast I hope nothing more than to cultivate a space for those stories to be shared, so people walk away with a renewed sense of awareness for the outdoors – feeling inspired and excited to play outside.

I also have expanded my education section on my website to help others learn how to be authentic adventure storyteller’s as well (www.hollymandarich.com/learn)! I currently am offering a 3 month program launching this September called “The Storyteller’s Workshop” – (www.hollymandarich.com/storytellerworkshop)! To help storytellers define their niche, perfect their craft and promote themselves! I also offer 90 minute 1:1 intensives for anyone looking for a more personal experience in growing their adventure photography business.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that luck is nonexistent, it’s kind of like coincidences, they don’t exist either in my opinion. Everything happens for a reason.

No matter how hard it gets in your business, your success is ALWAYS going to come back to your self-worth. Period.

Now, I can definitely say I am a junkie when it comes to manifestation, the law of attraction, and beyond.

But regardless of the “woo woo” world, if you don’t believe your business is going to work, it won’t.

Pricing:

• The Storyteller Workshop for Adventure Photographers $1999 – $2944
• Masterclass: How to Tell Authentic Stories $111
• 1:1 – 90 Minute Photography Coaching Strategy Intensives + 1 month of Virtual Support
• Commercial Photography Photoshoots, Tourism Photoshoot, Branded Adventure Shoots, Seasonal Content Packages – Pricing ranges from 4-5 figures
• Signature Presets $33-$77

Contact Info:

• Website: ww.hollymandarich.com
• Phone: 231.735.3699
• Email: hello@hollymandarich.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/holly.mandarich
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/HollyMandarichPhoto

Image Credit:
Megan McKay, Holly Mandarich

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.