We recently had the chance to connect with Lily Fischer and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lily, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
The one thing I’m most proud of building, yet no one really sees, is the confidence I’ve found in myself. When I started my photography venture, I lacked self confidence. I was introverted, quiet, and terrified of failing. Truthfully, I didn’t have a plan or any idea what I’d do if photography didn’t work out, so I had no choice but to step out of my comfort zone.
The thing about photography is that you’re not just taking pictures. Communication is a huge part of it. Honestly, it felt awkward at first. Meeting people, having conversations, posing them, and all those little interactions in between. And how were clients supposed to feel confident in me if I didn’t feel that way about myself? So I leaned into that old quote, “Fake it till you make it,” and that’s exactly what helped me break out of my shell.
As time went on and I did more and more sessions, I became more confident in who I am and in the work I create, because I started believing in myself. Sure, there are still moments where I doubt myself, but then I think about how far I’ve come in the last five years. I enjoy meeting new people, getting to know them, and forming real connections. I can pose, direct, and communicate with clients with genuine assurance.
Who I was at the start of my photography journey and who I am today are two completely different people, and that’s because I learned to trust myself. I’m still what I’d consider an introverted extrovert, someone who can be outgoing and social but also loves being at home to decompress and enjoy the quiet.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Lily, and I am the owner of Lily Marie Photography. I am a Nebraska-based wedding, couple, and senior photographer, but I’m always ready to pack my bags and go anywhere.
I never really knew what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I have always been creative. As the years went on and I entered high school, I was still unsure what I was meant to do in life. Then I took a yearbook class my sophomore year and started photographing my school’s sporting events. That is when I quickly fell in love with photography and realized it was also a form of art that allowed me to express my creativity.
After graduating in 2020, my grandparents bought me my first camera, a Nikon D3500. From that moment, I was a girl with her own camera and a dream. I spent countless hours researching, practicing, and teaching myself how to use it. I would often have my friends model for me just so I could keep learning and improving. Soon after, I created my photography Instagram to showcase my work and start marketing myself. When I first began, I had big ambitions and no idea where this journey would take me.
Fast forward to today, I have been doing photography for over five years, and I can proudly say that I have achieved every milestone I have set for myself so far. I am now a full-time photographer, have had the privilege of traveling to more places than I ever imagined, and get to capture some of the most precious moments in people’s lives.
But it is about more than just reaching milestones. Photography is my passion, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to document people, their love, and their stories. I love helping my wedding couples celebrate such a beautiful day. I love capturing my seniors as they prepare for their next big chapter. I love photographing families and watching them grow year after year. I love documenting couples whose love radiates through every frame. And of course, I am always open to trying new things and stepping outside my comfort zone.
There is nothing more special to me than serving and creating for others. I love freezing moments that people can look back on and remember the feelings of pure joy and love. I do not just do this for me, I do it for others. Someday, all we will have are photos and memories, and knowing I get to be even a small part of that is such a privilege.
So, I have hit my main milestones, what now? I still set new personal goals for myself every year. I always make room to grow, both personally and professionally, whether it is shifting my perspective, trying new prompts and posing, setting healthy boundaries and taking time to rest, or creating shoots that keep my creativity flowing. I will always be immensely grateful for this wonderful gift that I get to share with others.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
It might sound cliché, but definitely my parents and my fiancé. Growing up, my parents always did everything they could to provide for and support me and my siblings through all the different phases and milestones of life. When I started high school, I never really knew what I wanted to do after graduating. Then I discovered photography, and they showed me nothing but love and encouragement. I have been with my fiancé for over eight years, and he has always shown me just as much support as my parents.
Fast forward to today, my parents and fiancé continue to be my biggest support system and cheerleaders. I am always showing them photos I have taken at weddings, senior sessions, or content days that I am proud of. I get so excited to tell them when I reach a big goal or have the opportunity to travel to new places because of something I am passionate about. They always share in that excitement and pride right alongside me. They are also the first to encourage, guide, and uplift me whenever I am unsure, overwhelmed, or simply in need of support.
I truly do not know what I would do without them. They saw my potential long before I ever did, and I genuinely believe I would not be on this path if it were not for them. I will always admire them and the love they continue to give me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, absolutely. The photography industry is full of wonderful, talented creatives. We are artists, and as artists, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or burned out, creatively drained, and unmotivated. It is also easy to compare your work to others.
When it comes to comparison, social media plays a huge role. As photographers, it is a big part of what we do. It is so easy to get lost in endless scrolling, viewing other photographers’ work. Too much of that can make you wonder why your own work does not look like someone else’s or why you do not have as big of a following. Sometimes you post something and it does not perform as well as you hoped. It can feel discouraging and make you think you are doing something wrong, when in reality, you are not.
My busy season typically runs from April through October or November. During that time, I often have two to three sessions a week and two to three weddings a month. Toward the end of the season, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. On top of attending sessions and weddings, every spare moment is spent answering emails, replying to messages, and editing late into the night. It can become a cycle of wake up, edit, emails, session, edit, sleep, repeat. Sometimes you squeeze in last-minute sessions, and it feels like your work-life balance starts to slip. As a result, you can become drained creatively, mentally, and physically. You start to wonder, “Can I really do this?” or “Did I make the right decision?”
To help combat that self-doubt, I limit my scroll time on social media. Of course, there are still times when I catch myself doomscrolling, but I try to keep the mindset that my work and growth are just as important as anyone else’s. Just because I do not have as many followers or as many sessions does not mean I am on the wrong path. It just means I am growing at my own pace.
I also make it a priority to take time off during busy season. My work-life balance is so important for my mental and physical health, and for my relationships and friendships. It is refreshing to have a day or weekend where I can stay home and rest, spend time with family, or take a little trip with my fiancé.
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. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Honestly, I think one of the biggest lies I hear in the photography industry is that it’s oversaturated. As photographers, we are artists. Like artists, we all have different shooting and editing styles, different ways of running our business, and we have different price ranges. No two photographers will photograph, edit, run their business, or be priced the same.
I’ve heard it many times that the photography market is oversaturated, and I don’t believe it because there’s a photographer for everyone. Every year, thousands of people get married, grow or start their families, graduate, and so many things in between. I truly believe there is a photographer for everyone and every special occasion or event. For example, a wedding couple who is more introverted, may be more drawn to a photographer with a more documentary approach and style versus a photographer that has more of a posed, bubbly approach and style.
Are there a lot of photographers out there? Sure. But what really sets each of us a part besides everything listed above is our personalities. You can have a beautiful portfolio and editing style, but if you lack communication or don’t vibe with your clients, then you won’t click with them and they may not have a great experience. Something that is always consistent from my clients is how much they love and appreciate how helpful, sweet I am, and how comfortable I made them. I always go the extra mile to make sure that my clients have a fun and comfortable experience while showing my personality. I think that is something that helps set me apart.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When my time comes to set down the camera and take my final bow in this life, I hope people remember the heart behind what I did. I hope they see how deeply I loved photography and the people who trusted me to capture their moments. Every session, every image, every story was created with care and intention. My greatest wish is that when people look back at their photos, they not only see what the moment looked like, but feel what it felt like all over again.
I hope they remember the compassion I carried, the willingness to help whenever I could, and the joy I found in serving others. I want to be remembered for the way I made people feel, for the connections built through kindness and creativity, and for the love and hard work woven into everything I touched.
If the legacy I leave behind is one of warmth, authenticity, and love that lives on through the memories I helped preserve, then I will know I did exactly what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lilymariephotographyne.com/
- Instagram: @lilymariephotographyne
- Facebook: Lily Marie Photography LLC.
- Other: Tik Tok: @lilymariephotography
Image Credits
None
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