Meet Cathleen McGrath

We were lucky to catch up with Cathleen McGrath recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cathleen, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
I have battled depression since my early teens. There were days when I just wanted to disappear. Not commit suicide, but wished something would happen and I’d just be gone. I can only account for the strong guides or Holy Spirit, higher self – whatever higher power keep turning me around. There was always a little voice way deep in the darkness that would tell me I would be okay.

I have learned through the years how to navigate depression. Does that mean I’m good at navigating depression? NO – not always. It’s a real double-edged sword – depression. I know that if I get up and move and do, it will help kick that depressive feeling out – at least for the day. But here’s the rub – when I’m depressed, I don’t want to do anything. The only things that get me going when I’m in the thick of it are my obligations and focusing on being grateful. I am involved in a lot of different projects that help in feeling grateful and productive. When I’m not busy, I try to continue focusing on the good and the things that are important to me in my life.

Focusing on the now, and on what needs to be done now to reach my goals is what fuels my persistence.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner and photographer of McGrath Productions specializing in commercial photography.

I have always considered myself a life photographer – if it’s happening in your life or business, I can help you share it with your family or potential/current clients.

Ever since I was very young, I have been fascinated by looking at and taking photos. My parents had many photos of when they were young as well as photos of when my grandparents were young. I loved seeing them and having a glimpse at who they were when they were young. My mom was always taking pictures of us as kids and I put great value on having photographs of family so future generations get to know those that came before.

I decided when I was a young teen that I wanted to be a photographer. I bought my first camera when I was 18 and finally took a photography class in college. I haven’t put down the camera since . . . but the business was very slow to come.

Back in the 80s, there was no computer editing, social media, and we shot with film. I had no idea at such a young age how to start a business. Then . . . I had my first child when I was 24 years old. I knew I had to have a great paying job with benefits, so that’s what I did – all the while not being able to shake the desire to make a solid living with photography. Then more babies came. I photographed my kids, family, friends – sports, family photos, high school seniors . . . . Charged a little here and there as the years went on.

Any time I would feel discouraged because I did not have enough free time to build my business, I would ask myself, “Who am I kidding? I can’t do this for a living. I’m not good enough . . .” – or other various dark thoughts about my future in photography, But then I would snap back and remind myself that even if I didn’t do this for a living, I would still be doing it because I love it and it’s in my blood – “so snap out of it and get to work.”

My business started out with photographing anything and everything. I decided to niche down a bit and focus on high school seniors and commercial photography. The commercial photography includes headshots, commercial lifestyle, product, and content creation. My high school senior portraits are portraits that show who that senior is, what they do, and where they are going – not your school senior photos.

What’s funny is that just because I focus on two genres, doesn’t mean I won’t photograph other areas. Since I have niched down, I have continued my work with family, maternity, engagement, and weddings. But niching down has helped a lot when it comes to marketing.

This year, but daughter joined my business because she too is a creative, enjoys video and is good at it. I cannot tell you how great it is to finally have someone to work with – and someone that holds her own and has great ideas. So now we offer video content creation for social media and websites.

I think one of my favorite things about being a professional photographer is that I get to do something that brings joy to not only my clients, but to me as well.

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?
What I have been told since I started photographing people is that they liked that I would capture the person’s personality. The subjects did not look fake. I had a knack of connecting with them and being able to make them comfortable in front of the camera. It’s important to listen to people – really listen, get to know who they are and what makes them tick. Create a connection. On the technical side, practice, practice, practice – continue to educate yourself – nothing stays the same. Always push yourself with new challenges. You will make mistakes, you will hear no, you will feel discouraged, you will see people that are further along in their journey . . . focus on you, use those ahead of you as inspiration – not frustration, find your joy in the process, be curious, be stubborn, be persistent – it will happen – no really, it will happen.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I would love to connect with those that are just starting out in their business. I enjoy working as a team and I am building a great team. Eventually, we will be looking for people to make our offerings at McGrath Productions more robust. We would like to connect and partner with women that are knowledgeable in marketing and want to grow with our business.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Portraits by Cathleen McGrath – McGrath Productions

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