Maggie Eckburg shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Maggie, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are devoted to the two things that matter most to me: God and my family. With five kids, mornings are full between breakfast, backpacks, and getting three of them out the door for school. If I’m the one driving that day, I stay for their school’s morning Mass. If my husband does drop-off, I use that time to read that day’s Scripture and reflection before doing anything else. Those early moments set the tone for my whole day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a lifestyle photographer, speaker, and educator based in the western suburbs of Chicago. I create work under the umbrella of “Everything Is Grace,” a brand anchored in the belief that nothing in our lives is wasted and that beauty can be found in every chapter of our story. Through photography, I tell honest, joy-filled stories of families, couples, and individuals. A deeply meaningful part of my creative work is The Belle Project, a photographic tribute to the beauty that exists even in the hardest seasons, with sessions I call my “Even This” sessions.
Beyond photography, I teach a framework I call “The EG Life,” a practical approach to living with joyful resilience and daily intimacy with Jesus. Whether I’m photographing, writing, or speaking, my focus is the same: to help people see meaning, beauty, and goodness in their story, even the parts they would never have chosen.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents, without question. They modeled what character-driven work looks like: steady, trustworthy, loyal, and committed to doing things well. That shaped me deeply. Whether I’m creating work no one sees or work that goes out into the world, I want to give my best because it matters. They taught me that good work isn’t dependent on feelings and that you show up, you do what needs to be done, and you do it with integrity. That foundation has stayed with me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are safe, you are loved, you are enough. I’d tell her she doesn’t need to earn her worth or hide herself. I’d tell her that who she is, even the awkward, unsure, or imperfect parts, is already loved by God and already equipped for the mission He has for her. Nothing essential is missing.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to spreading the message that “Everything is Grace.” Through photography, speaking, and The Belle Project, I try to make the invisible visible: God’s presence and the love, strength, and beauty beneath the surface of everyday life.
I’m committed to walking with people through the hardest chapters of their lives and using photography to help them see all the good that can be hard to see for themselves at the time. After 14 years of teaching in a traditional classroom, I felt called to a different kind of classroom, one where I could help people recognize God’s presence and grace in their own stories. It was a difficult and emotional decision to leave teaching so I take this mission very seriously. I’m committed to it for as long as I’m given the chance to do it.
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?
I hope people say that I was a devoted daughter of God, committed wife, a playful and present mother, and a steady source of support for the people entrusted to me. I want to be remembered as someone who lived with courage, integrity, and purpose, whether in the size of my family, the work I pursued, the images I created, or the words I shared. I want to be remembered for staying committed to the truth that “everything is grace” and for witnessing to the redemptive power of God’s love.
Above all, I want people to say I said yes to God, even when I felt afraid, and that my life—how I loved, mothered, created, and showed up—reflected that foundation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maggieeckburg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingisgrace_photography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggieeckburg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggie.eckburg
- Other: Photography Website: https://everythingisgracephotography.com
Image Credits
Everything Is Grace Photography, LLC
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