We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mallory and Mariah Sterrett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mallory and Mariah below.
Hi Mallory and Mariah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Growing up, Mariah and I (Mallory) always had a heart for making people feel valued and loved. As we pursued different career paths, (Mariah becoming a school teacher and Mallory joining the Air Force) we both used photography as a creative outlet when our 9-5 jobs didn’t provide that for us. Although to many people taking pictures seems to be such a simple task, you are always faced with a new challenge. One thing that we learned early on is that 9 times out of 10 the people we are photographing feel uncomfortable in their own skin, which is a sad reality to face. As photographers we have found purpose in making people feel comfortable and at ease when capturing some of the most important moments in their lives. Mariah and I go into a wedding day with our biggest intention being, making our couple feel confident + loved. In turn, the photos speak for themselves and tell their love story, instead of highlighting their insecurities. In our opinion, there is no better purpose in this life than loving one another and making people feel like the best version of themselves.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Mariah and I grew up watching our mom capture each stage of life on her camera. At the time, we would be annoyed by her constant need to capture each and every moment that we lived, but as we got older, there was nothing more valuable then being able to look back on these moments and laugh with one another.
Mariah and I started Sterrett Photography in the peak of Covid while in quarantine, and what started as a hobby, flourished into a full blown wedding photography business within two years. We would often ask our friends to let us take their pictures, and from there we started to build a client base that was strong. We feel that the biggest advantage is that we are a sister team who share the same artistic vision when it comes to capturing a wedding day. We live for the in-between moments, the emotions, and the editorial flares the teach wedding brings. We strive to bring a fun and energetic vibe to our couples day, while also allowing them to relax and feel confident that we are going to get all of the shots that they want.
Although we are based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, we have a love for traveling and seeing the world. After capturing weddings locally for a year we decided to expand our horizons and start to brand ourselves towards destination weddings, giving us a chance to showcase weddings around the world! We are excited to see where the coming years take us, and can’t wait to make more connections with out couples.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities/skills:
1: The first quality/skill is definitely making people feel comfortable and values. In an industry like wedding photography, being able to take quality images will never be enough to book clients. You have to be able to make them feel comfortable every step of the way, from hoping on a discovery call with them, to their engagement photos, and then on their big day. If your client is left feeling awkward or uncomfortable you are doing them an injustice on their big day. Client experience is EVERYTHING.
2: The second skill is networking. It is beyond important to be able to collaborate and encourage other professionals within the industry. We value other vendors who recommend us, and in turn, we do the same for them. It is so important to remember that you don’t have to be alone.
3: Lastly, the top quality is being confident. There are going to be times where people don’t book with you, or don’t like the images we provide and that is OKAY. Early on we would be so hard on ourselves when a client would chose someone else, but as we have grown, we actually find peace in that. What is meant for us will find us, and our “ideal” clients are the ones who value us and what we bring to the table, just as much as we value them throughout their client experience. You can’t please everyone, and what you bring to the table as a creative is valuable beyond measure.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Although it sounds cliché, we truly lean on each other to overcome challenges, which is the beauty of our business. As we go through seasons of struggles or doubts, there is comfort in knowing that we are a team and each bring something unique to the table. For example, there are wedding days where Mariah might not feel super outgoing, but I am able to step up to the plate and bring energy and life to the situation. On the other hand, I am very technical and business oriented, and sometimes get bogged down by the nitty gritty details, and Mariah is able to help me tap into my creative side when I get too rigid.
In addition, we wouldn’t be who we are without mentors and inspirations within the photography community. We make it a goal to maintain relationships with fellow wedding vendors who handle the same struggles as we do. It can get isolating and lonely at times, and that is why it is so important to be able to confide and share with fellow photographers, makeup artists, planners, and more who know the ins and outs of what we handle on a daily basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sterrettphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterrettphotography_/
Image Credits
All Images are Sterrett Photography
