We recently had the chance to connect with Lydia Stern and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lydia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Surfing! It’s challenging and incredibly humbling to be a beginner, but it feels so good to push myself in ways that are outside of my normal routine.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lydia, the photographer, and I’m joined by my partner and craftsman, Terren. Together, we run Mountain Magic Media. We believe that the best photos happen when people feel completely at ease, so our brand is built on ‘Comfort at the Core.’ We’re a husband-and-wife team who actually eloped in the wildflowers of Crested Butte ourselves, so we bring that personal empathy to every wedding we document. What makes us special is our ‘stealthy’ approach to candid moments mixed with gentle, natural posing—we want our couples to feel like they’re just hanging out with friends who happen to have cameras. Currently, we’re expanding our reach to more destination elopements in places we love, like Costa Rica, while staying dedicated to our ‘timeless meets modern’ aesthetic.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For a long time, I carried this constant need to prove my worth through ‘the hustle’—the feeling that if I wasn’t constantly doing, I wasn’t growing. I’ve realized that part of me has served its purpose, and I’m now releasing it. I’m making way for something much softer and more sustainable. In our line of work, the best moments aren’t forced; they’re noticed. By moving away from ‘doing’ and into a more centered, grounded way of being, I’m actually becoming a better storyteller. I’ve found that the expansion of Mountain Magic Media is only attainable long-term when I leave room to breathe. It allows me to be a calm, steady presence for our couples during their most high-emotion moments.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of not being accepted for who I am was a heavy weight I carried for a long time. It kept me in a cycle of ‘doing’ and ‘proving’ to ensure I was worthy of a seat at the table. But living and working in the mountains has a way of stripping away those pretenses. I’ve come to realize that my unique perspective—my ‘magic’—is actually my greatest asset. Stepping out from under that fear has allowed me to move into the ‘softer, more grounded’ space I’m in now. I no longer look for external validation; I look for alignment. That shift has brought a peace to my life and a depth to my work that I never thought possible.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The value I protect at all costs is the belief that all love matters and every person deserves a place where they truly belong. In the wedding industry, there is often a ‘standard’ of what love should look like, but we reject that entirely. We believe everyone has the inherent right to live—and celebrate—the life they desire. For us, this isn’t just a slogan; it’s the bedrock of our business. Because I have done the work to accept myself, I am fiercely protective of making sure our clients feel that same radical acceptance when they are in front of our lens. Whether it’s an unconventional elopement or a love story that breaks the mold, we are here to honor it without judgment.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When have you had to bet the company?
Is the question, “Be” or “Bet”?
If it’s “Be” — In our world, we don’t just run the company; we are the company. Always. We wear every single hat—from the creative vision and the 5:00 AM trail scouts to the technical editing and the business taxes. Because we only outsource a few select things, every success and every challenge is personal. We’ve had to learn that since we are the engine of Mountain Magic Media, we have to be obsessive about maintenance. That’s why we’ve implemented such firm boundaries around our time off. We realized that if we don’t protect our own energy, there is no company left to run.
If it’s “Bet” — In a way, we are betting the company every single day. Because we wear all the hats—from scouting locations and shooting to editing and admin—the success of Mountain Magic Media rests entirely on our shoulders. We only outsource a few select things, so the ‘bet’ is always on our own hands, our own eyes, and our own health. We’ve had to learn the hard way that because we are the brand, we have to protect our primary asset: ourselves. Implementing strict boundaries around time off isn’t just a luxury; it’s a business strategy to ensure the ‘bet’ we’ve placed on ourselves continues to pay off long-term.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mountainmagicmedia.com/
- Instagram: @mountainmagicmedia
- Facebook: /MountainMagicMedia
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mountain-magic-media-crested-butte?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Image Credits
the first photo of us is by Nicole Denae Photo, but the rest are by us (Mountain Magic Media)
