Today we’d like to introduce you to Malae Talley.
Hi Malae, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ever since I was a young girl, my heart has always yearned to create. My parents provided me with many opportunities to find my artistic voice and creative mediums to get familiar with. I found lots of design-driven passions in school such as interior design, fashion merchandising, web design, graphic design, photography, videography, and any art class.
I began my college career as a graphic designer and worked closely with photographers in my department. I found myself wanting to learn more and more about photography than my own job and decided to learn all I could about it. I got my first DSLR camera when I was expecting my first baby and I knew my life would never be the same again.
Photography gave me a voice that I didn’t quite have before. It provided me a unique way to connect with my own children and document their lives. It also provided me with a way to connect with the earth and the outdoors. I love being deep in nature amongst beautiful landscapes and this allowed me to do just that.
After learning all I could on my own, I was accepted into the Fine Art photography program at my university and that was the final push that I needed to believe in myself and my capabilities and pursue photography big time.
Today, I am running my photography business rooted in all of my passions (family, nature, creation) and feel lots of fulfillment every day. It has grown beyond my wildest dreams and I am grateful for everything that has brought me to this point in my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been smooth sailing. A big part of my photography journey was pursuing a Fine Arts degree in photography while having a young toddler and another baby on the way. This was one of the more difficult parts of my life. Balancing school, motherhood, being a wife, full-time classes and my own business really pushed me in ways that I never thought was possible.
My business has grown so much in these past few years which has been an immense support to my family. However, I am still learning each day how I can better balance my home and work life balance and be able to keep my business a passion at it’s core. Burnout is real. I would be amiss if I didn’t acknowledge that I have pushed myself too far and taken on too much. It is a huge challenge as a small business owner to set boundaries for my business but I am striving to do better at this every day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
To sum it up, I’m an earthy-toned, whimsical portrait photographer. My style of photography reflects much of my own life and what I value. I want my images to feel warm, cozy, inviting, and a bit magical. Takes you to a place out of the daily grind and into somewhere dreamy.
I’m raising three beautiful girls who love to dream, explore, and play. They are my driving force. They are my biggest accomplishments. I am so proud of everything they are. I reflect a lot of the magic of childhood in my imagery. They are only little for so long and how utterly amazing is it that we can freeze these moments right now?
I specialize in families, maternity, couples, elopements, weddings, and portraits. I am inspired by nature and heavily influenced by it in my work. And of course, a bit of whim!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I had it in my head that getting a photography degree was the fastest way to learn and master my craft. I am forever grateful for my experiences in school and glad that I was able to learn so much. I feel that I can offer multi-faceted services and have lots of knowledge and depth going into my work. However, this doesn’t need to be accomplished through only schooling.
Resources are endless nowadays. Find a mentor that you resonate with. Talk to people in your specific field of interest. Take yourself seriously from day one. Know your worth. Practice on everyone and everything. Find what speaks to you. Incorporate your passions into your work as much as possible.
The reason “why” you are starting will ultimately get you through the end and you will need to lean on it again and again and again. Your passions will be the energy that keep you going.
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions begin at $575 plus tax
- Family sessions begin at $650 plus tax
- Seasonal minis begin at $400 plus tax
- Contact for weddings/elopements!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.malaetalley.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/malaetalleyphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/malaetalleyphoto
Image Credits
Malae Talley Photo
