Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Catherine Conner.
Hi Mary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since a young age, I have always had a fascination with photography. I saw such much beauty being behind the lens. Growing up, I would pick up a regular point-and-shoot camera and have photoshoots with my sister at our house or at my grandparents. It would be a sight to see those pictures now.
Years later as a college student, I received my first camera, a Canon Rebel T6. All I wanted to do was to capture the moments between me and my friends so we could relive the memories years down the line. But a desire grew deeper within me. I wanted others to have the same.
I love celebrating people from the big to the small moments. The desire that was growing deeper inside of me was to begin celebrating these moments alongside people by documenting them so they, too, could have something to look back on something for years and years. This began with seniors graduating and has grown into seniors, maternity, families, engagements, and weddings.
People are letting me into the most important parts of their life, and it is something I do not take lightly. It is an honor and a privilege to serve and love so many different people, celebrating different seasons of life.
My faith in Jesus is my biggest driving force. Jesus came to serve and love people. I want people to be reminded of who they are and whose they are. They are a child of the King!
I would not be where I am today without the support of my friends and family. They have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. I’m so thankful for all the seniors, families, and couples I have been able to serve and will serve. The best is yet to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think anything you’re passionate about or pursuing will inevitably lead to some sort of obstacles or challenges. We are human, so we will run into hurdles, and we will mess up.
Personally, an obstacle I have had and still battling is knowing when to rest and say “no.” Plus, I hate missing out on things. If I could do everything, I would. Overall, I think I have been very fortunate. I have a strong, seasoned mentor who helps and prepares me for when obstacles arise and how to navigate them. I am very thankful that my biggest obstacles are simply needing to rest more and not overwork myself!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer who specializes in weddings, engagements, families, and graduating seniors. I am known mainly for capturing people’s wedding days.
In all honesty, I am the most proud of me taking the leap to pursue my dreams. It is scary to start a business and capture the biggest moments of people’s lives. There are so many moving parts that go into running a business, and everything falls on you. My family ran their own business for 29 years, and that was something I aspired to do. I looked up to what they did, and I wanted to follow suit in that. It’s a dream that has become a reality, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of my family, friends, and clients.
I am a detail-orientated person. I focus on the big and small when I am serving my clients. I will make sure your hair is perfect, ties are in place, and the smallest details are captured. However, I am FUN! You are getting not just a professional but a fun professional. I will get down on the dance floor with you, be your professional third wheel, and unintentionally make you laugh by being a slightly clumsy person, the jokes I make, or constantly saying “shut up, stop” because I am consistently in awe of the beauty of my clients.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Apps: I live and breathe by my Google Calendar. My entire life is on there. Gmail, HoneyBook, Hootsuite, Spotify, the Unscripted app, and Pinterest are all my most used apps to ensure I stay creative and organized.
Podcasts: I am a Spotify girl! That is where I listen to my podcasts and music. The Heart and Hustle podcast with Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman is a weekly listen for all things business and photography. Also, my faith in Jesus is the most important thing to me, so I listen to Knowing Faith, The Village Church sermons, and Becoming Something with Jonathan Pokluda.
Pricing:
- Weddings – $3,000 (Up to 12-hour coverage)
- Elopements – Start at $1,000
- Engagements – Start at $300
- Seniors – Start at $275
- Families – Start at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marycatherineconner.com
- Instagram: @marycatherinephotos
- Facebook: @marycatherine.photo
Image Credits
Ashlyn Cathey Photography
Mary Catherine Conner
