We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Glasbrenner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.
Megan, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental 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.
In July of 2022, I had a traumatic miscarriage at 11 weeks pregnant that involved medical neglect at a hospital and ended with me falling and hitting my head and getting a concussion/mild TBI. That entire experience and injury resulted in visual disturbances, headaches, anxiety, and PTSD for the next 8 months. I would wake up in the morning terrified that something was wrong, I was going blind, or that I’d never recover from my head injury and the anxiety would never go away. Every morning I would cry in my state of panic, and no single day felt normal for months on end. I struggled to feel joy, happiness, purpose, or any positive emotion really at all. All of my other emotions were smothered by my fear.
I overcame that season through determination to make it through, one day at a time. I saw multiple health practitioners who each gave me their own opinions and expertise, allowing me to build my own well-rounded understanding of what was happening to me and how I could heal. I scheduled counseling sessions with a psychologist who didn’t make me feel crazy but instead helped me feel normal again. We took a 2 week family trip to Europe that distracted my brain long enough to break me out of the panic-fueled-thoughts cycle. I started doing what I loved again: going out with friends, meeting new people, getting involved at church, and marketing to new clients in my business. I revamped my website and blog, booked more shoots, and dove back into what always brought me joy and fulfillment: serving and loving others through the gifts and talents God has given me.
After what I’ve been through, I sympathize so much more with those who struggle with mental health issues. I’m thankful there was a light at the end of the tunnel for me. I know if I ever face a season full of anxiety again, there is a way out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer as well as a private photo editor for other wedding photographers. I shoot a small handful of weddings and portrait sessions a year, and I serve 25+ photographers as their photo editor. My own work is whimsical, bright, joyful, and full of color and life. I love capturing authentic emotion between my clients, and I love when my portraits feel natural and effortless. My editing clients’ photography styles run the gamut: dark & moody, clean & classic, and film-like. I also sell my own Lightroom presets (called Clean & Classic Presets and Prism Presets).
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?
The number one skill for my business has obviously been photography. I learned by practicing over and over, taking my camera with me wherever I could, experimenting with different settings, presets, and methods of lighting, and shooting so many friends and family for free over the years.
Right behind my artistic skillset in order of importance would be my writing skills. Being able to communicate with potential clients in a professional yet personable manner is invaluable, especially when you’re younger than them. Communicating effectively establishes trust and is the foundation of the client relationship. I’ve also been able to use my writing skills to blog over 400 posts throughout the past decade. Hundreds of thousands of visitors to my blog over the years have connected with my writing.
Lastly, I would say my financial wisdom has helped my business grow and stay strong over the years, weathering a pandemic where 75% of my work dried up for 15 months. I’ve always run my business debt-free and saved for rainy days, and that helped keep me afloat when times got tough.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My mom taught me that it’s never okay to simply not try. If I received a “0” for any homework assignment, that meant trouble for me. Trying and getting a failing grade was more important and more valuable than not trying at all. That has stuck with me in my adult life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.megankelseyphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/megankelseyglasbrenner
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/megankelseyphotography
- Blog: www.megankelseyblog.com
- Clean & Classic Presets: www.cleanandclassicpresets.com
- Prism Presets: www.prismpresets.com
Image Credits
Megan Kelsey Photography
