We were lucky to catch up with McKenna Hutchinson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi McKenna, 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?
I’ve been a wedding photographer for 9+ years and found my ultimate purpose when my grandmother passed away a few years into me being a photographer. I realized how few photos I had of us together and that realization changed everything for me. It made me see photography differently. I stopped caring about perfection and started chasing authenticity in my images. I wanted my clients to be able to remember through my photography the way a hug feels, the tears during vows, the laughter that erupts when no one’s expecting it. I wanted to make sure no one ever had to look back and wish they had more of those memories.
That’s what led me to my current style of wedding photography. Your wedding day is a rare moment in life when all your favorite people are in one place, full of emotion and love. My goal is to document every moment of it from all the joy, chaos, the tears, to the calm and sweet moments. I want my images to look honest and alive when you look back on your gallery.
Wedding photography is so much more than just those “pretty moments” but the real and raw moments that make you who you are and tell your legacy.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a wedding photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving couples across the Carolinas and beyond. I specialize in capturing weddings, elopements, and engagement stories that are full of emotion, connection, and movement. My work is all about documenting what your day felt like to preserve the most incredible memories and moments in time.
What excites me most about photography is how it bridges time. Years from now, you’ll be able to open your gallery and feel everything all over again. Moments like the laughter during your vows, your family’s happy tears, the little glances no one else noticed. I want my couples to have images that hold their story, their people, and their legacy.
What makes my brand special is the experience I provide. I step into every wedding day as both a photographer and a guide, helping my couples feel at ease so they can be fully present in every moment. My approach is intentional and story-driven, blending documentary-style candids with creative portraits that feel timeless and editorial.
As for what’s next…I’m continuing to expand my work across the Carolinas and the Southeast, with a focus on more timeless weddings and storytelling-driven photography experiences. No matter where I go, my goal stays the same: to create images that are honest, emotional, and unforgettable.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I had to choose three things that have shaped my journey as a photographer and business owner, they would be resilience, adaptability, and empathy.
Resilience has been the foundation of everything. Owning a business comes with incredible highs and sometimes really tough lows. There are seasons when you’re booked solid and others where doubt creeps in. Resilience is what keeps you showing up anyway… always refining your craft, improving your client experience, and believing that your hard work will pay off even when results aren’t instant.
Adaptability has also been essential. The creative industry changes constantly especially lately with new trends, new platforms, new technology. Early on, I realized that resisting change would only slow me down. The more open I became to trying new things, the more I grew. Whether it’s improving my editing workflow, elevating my brand, or redefining how I connect with clients, staying flexible has kept my work evolving and exciting.
Finally, empathy is the heart of what I do. Photography is deeply personal because it’s about people, their relationships, and their emotions. Being able to connect, listen, and understand what matters to my clients allows me to create images that truly reflect their story. It’s also what makes the business side of things more meaningful because every client becomes more than just a booking, they become part of a shared creative journey.
For anyone just starting out: don’t rush to have it all figured out. Stay curious, stay consistent, and don’t let the hard days make you forget why you started. The path won’t always be linear, but that’s what makes the journey worth it.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are people who value connection, emotion, and storytelling over perfection. They care deeply about the moments that make their day uniquely theirs and want to be fully present in their day instead of it feeling like a photoshoot.
They’re usually laid-back but intentional, with a love for timeless details and experiences that feel meaningful rather than performative. They want a wedding that reflects who they are and not just a pretty day, but a celebration filled with love, warmth, and personality.
Most importantly, they trust me. They understand that when they hire me, they’re not just booking someone to take photos and they’re inviting me to help tell their story. My favorite clients lean into the moment, let go of the idea of “perfect,” and focus on what truly matters: being fully present and in love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1828collective.com
- Instagram: @1828collective
- Other: TikTok @1828collective
Image Credits
1828 Collective – Photographer
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