An Inspired Chat with Megan Maundrell

We recently had the chance to connect with Megan Maundrell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, 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 are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
This year, I’ve been really called to embrace rest. In the past—like so many entrepreneurs caught up in hustle culture—I pushed myself to the limit, believing that constant work was the only way to feel successful and worthy as a business owner. I used to think that if I said no to work, or slowed down in the summer to enjoy the season, I’d somehow lose momentum and the opportunities would stop coming.

Have I completely overcome that mindset? Not quite. I still have a habit of overbooking myself in the busy season, but I’ve gotten much better at giving myself permission to rest in the off-season and make time for hobbies. Like many creative entrepreneurs, my passion became my career (which is wonderful) but it also meant I needed to find other activities that were purely for joy. These days, I spend my downtime crafting, model making, colouring, painting, and doing a little cozy gaming.

So my question to you is: How do you navigate the balance between rest and productivity in your own business, and have you found hobbies outside your creative work that bring you joy?

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Megan Maundrell, owner of (yep, you guessed it) Megan Maundrell Photography Inc. My team and I help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera so we can capture gorgeous imagery that truly reflects their story. We take a documentary-style approach, stepping in with guidance when needed, but mostly practicing the art of noticing. Noticing the little moments, the interactions between guests the couple never saw, and the big things that make their day uniquely theirs.

And yes, I said “we”—not because I’m talking about me, myself, and I in the third person—but because I’m lucky to have a team of talented photographers across Canada and the US, all working under the same brand, with the same heart and mission.

Here’s how it works: You inquire, I send over all the info (including who’s available in your area and their quotes), we hop on a call, you book, I guide you through prep, and on your wedding day, your chosen team member photographs the magic. Then, I take over the editing to keep everything seamless in style.

While you can absolutely hire me personally, having a team means more couples can enjoy the MMP experience, without running into budget or availability roadblocks.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
This ties back to that first question about rest. Hustle Megan had her moment, but it’s time to let her go! I honestly believe that some hustle is essential when you’re starting a business. In the beginning, you have to hit the ground running, taking on shoots that light you up, connecting with people and other business owners, experimenting with marketing strategies (and yes, trying a whole bunch of things that don’t work before you find what does). I’m a firm believer that you get out of your business what you put into it.

But here’s the thing—once the foundation is built and you’ve got a steady flow of clients, what you “put in” isn’t just about effort anymore. It’s also about what you put into yourself. If you keep operating at that same intense pace, sure, you might see more clients and more income… but you’ll also see more burnout, more missed personal moments, and eventually, a loss of direction.

We all want to serve our clients the best we can, but at some point, you also have to honour the reason you started your business in the first place. Maybe it was to create art regularly—which requires time to dream, plan, and play with ideas. Maybe, like me, it was for more time freedom—to choose when to work and when to rest. Or maybe it was to provide for your family, which is amazing, but becomes bittersweet if you’re never at the table to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

I’m endlessly grateful for 19-year-old Megan, who poured all her fiery energy into building this dream. But now, at 26, my job is to let her rest, so I can fully step into the life she worked so hard to create.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Some things just take time, and no amount of hustle can speed that up. This is true in business and in life. You can devour every book, soak up wisdom from mentors, and put in the work every single day, but the reality is: some dreams simply need time to take root and grow.

When I was younger, I remember feeling frustrated. Why weren’t more people following me? Why wasn’t my inbox full of wedding inquiries? Why wasn’t I at the point of getting married myself? I saw it happening for other people my age, so why not me?

Looking back now, I can see it so clearly. I just wasn’t ready for what I have today. And it wasn’t because I wasn’t trying hard enough. Sometimes, the missing piece really is just time.

So my advice? Keep learning, keep showing up, keep putting in the work, but also give yourself permission to let things unfold when they’re meant to. What’s meant for you is on its way, and it will arrive right on time.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s such an interesting question. Over the last few years, I’ve shifted from being very online (posting my breakfast, my outfits, my random thoughts) to sharing much less of my everyday life. I think a lot of people are feeling the same pull toward a little more privacy.

The funny thing is, by sharing less, I actually feel like what I do share is more genuine. I’m not someone who naturally enjoys having my phone out at every event, but for a while, I felt like I had to in order to keep up. Now, it feels like such a gift to only post when I truly want to, without slipping into that “influencer persona.”

So yes, people might see less of me online—but what they are seeing is the real me, not a social-media-polished version. And honestly, that feels so much better.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Honestly? You’d be left with a chatterbox who can turn even a trip to the grocery store into a story worth telling, and will absolutely try to make you laugh in the process. I’m terrible at texting back, but give me a call and I’ll happily keep you on the line way too long. I can’t just “do nothing” all day. There’s gotta be something in there, whether it’s getting lost in a book, cruising around on my bike, or hunting down the perfect little treat. Basically, a mix of restless energy and simple joys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://meganmaundrellphotography.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganmaundrell_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganMaundrellPhotography
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/MeganMaundrellPhotography

Image Credits
Megan Maundrell Photography