Today we’d like to introduce you to Macy Turner.
Hi Macy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never set out to become a professional photographer. But looking back on my life, it makes so much sense for me. My mom would always gift me with disposable cameras for summer camps. Once I got old enough she got me a cheap Samsung digital camera and then once I graduated high school I got a Canon G7x. I loved photos and videos and the art of documenting life. After graduating, a few younger friends asked me to take their senior photos, and that’s when something clicked. What had once been just for fun became something deeper. I saw how people’s faces lit up when they saw their photos, how a single image could tell a story. That feeling of capturing someone as they truly are made me realize this was more than just a passion. I wanted to jump into photography.
Determined to invest in my new craft, I started saving every extra dollar for a mirrorless Sony camera. I had been setting money aside for months, slowly getting closer to my goal. But just when I was about to reach it, I felt the Lord pressing on my heart to give that money away to someone who needed it more than I did.
I wrestled with it. I had worked so hard, and this camera felt like the key to what I was meant to do. But deep down, I knew I needed to trust Him. So, with a conflicted heart, I gave it all away and waited on the Lord.
What happened next is something I’ll never forget. Not long after, someone—anonymously, through a friend—gifted me back the exact amount I had given away. I was in tears, bawling. It was confirmation that God was guiding me, that He was calling me to this path of photography, and that He would provide.
With that camera in hand, by the grace of God, I started photographing my friends and Texas A&M seniors for free or at very low prices, simply because I loved it. Word spread, and little by little, my clientele grew. Eventually, photography wasn’t just something I did for fun, it became something I was meant to pursue wholeheartedly.
Last year, I took a leap of faith and left my creative agency job to go full-time, focusing more on weddings while continuing to serve seniors and graduates. Now, three years later, I feel like my business is exactly where it’s supposed to be. This year has already been beyond rewarding—in just the first few months, I’ve matched the number of sessions I shot in all of 2024.
I have no doubt that God is still leading this journey, and I’m excited to see where He takes it next. The wedding niche is calling, and I’m ready to step into it with faith and anticipation for what’s to come!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Photography has definitely not been a smooth road. It’s been full of challenges and growth! I actually started while I was still in college, juggling classes and a part-time job at ULTA. Finding time to shoot, edit, and build a client base was tough in those early days.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the ups and downs of income. There are busy seasons and slow ones, and that kind of fluctuation can be difficult to rely on, especially when you’re trying to build something sustainable.
Another layer people don’t always see is that this is a business, and I’ve never run a business before. A lot of people think photographers just show up, take photos, edit them, and move on. But we’re also accountants, social media managers, content creators, marketers, schedulers—you name it. I’ve had to learn everything from filing taxes and designing a website, to ordering business cards and figuring out how to market myself online. It’s been overwhelming at times, but also empowering. Every skill I’ve learned behind the scenes has helped me grow not just as a photographer, but as a business owner.
These challenges have required a lot of hustle and balancing passion with practicality, but I wouldn’t trade it. Every challenge has pushed me to be more creative, more resilient, and more grounded in why I do what I do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a lifestyle photographer specializing in seniors, couples, and weddings. Right now, I work with a large number of Aggie grads (which I love, especially being an Aggie myself) but I’m also slowly and intentionally building my wedding portfolio. Weddings are where my heart feels the most creatively alive, and I’m excited to grow even more in that space.
My editing style is warm and cozy, and I focus on capturing authentic, candid moments while gently guiding my clients through poses that feel natural and true to them. I want every session to feel relaxed and effortless, like hanging out with a friend who just happens to have a camera in hand. My goal is always to make my clients feel comfortable, beautiful, and fully seen. I hope they walk away not only loving their photos, but feeling like they didn’t have to question a thing. I want them to confidently say we got every photo they could’ve wanted (and then some).
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my clients. I’m so grateful for the people who invite me into some of the biggest, most meaningful moments of their lives. When I’m standing in the room while a bride is putting on her dress, when a senior is fully realizing a huge chapter of their life is closing, or when a couple is wrapped up in quiet vows during golden hour. I don’t take those moments lightly. I’m honored that people let me witness and preserve those memories.
The truth is, a lot of photographers in this industry are really talented and I don’t want to pretend I’m the only one with a heart-forward approach. But what I’ve seen firsthand, especially being a bridesmaid in weddings myself, is the difference between someone who just shows up to pose people and move on, and someone who’s fully present in the moment with their clients.
That’s who I strive to be. I want to be THAT photographer. The one who’s right by your side, not just capturing your day, but supporting you through it. Whether it’s fixing your veil, holding your cap and gown, or giving you a second to breathe—I’m not just there to get the shot, I’m there for you.
My clients aren’t just clients to me. They’re real people living out moments that matter. I consider it a huge honor to show up fully for them, in every way I can.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My view on risk taking is deeply rooted in my faith. To me, risk is not about being reckless. It is about choosing faith over fear, even when the path ahead is not fully clear. Last year, I took one of the biggest risks of my life when I left my full-time job at a creative agency to pursue photography. It was scary, uncertain, and definitely a leap of faith.
I believe with everything in me that we are called to take steps of faith, especially when it comes to the passions placed on our hearts. For me, that meant walking away from a steady job and stepping into something completely uncertain. I felt the Lord tugging on my heart, calling me closer to photography and back to my hometown. It wasn’t a whisper, it was a pull I couldn’t ignore. And even though I didn’t have all the answers, I knew I had to say yes. I had to trust that if He was calling me to it, He would carry me through it.
That leap was not easy. And the truth is, the risk didn’t stop after I quit my job. Every single day still takes faith. I don’t have a predictable paycheck or a perfectly laid out plan. I’m building something from the ground up with nothing but my camera, my heart, and a whole lot of trust. But even in the uncertainty, I know God is working. I know this season has purpose. I’m learning to be still, to wait, and to keep walking forward even when I can’t see the full picture yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://macyelizabethmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macyelizabeth.media/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@macyelizabeth.media?_t=ZT-8vjkYiId4Xr&_r=1
Image Credits
Macy Elizabeth Media
