Meet Mara Elizabeth | Owner & Lead Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mara Elizabeth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mara, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

Even as a little girl I loved creating things. My room was my art space and my imagination went to work so easily. I have dabbled in a lot of different hobbies that made me a creative! While I loved to create things out of nothing I found that I loved capturing things that were already beautiful and showcasing that beauty. Photography is just that, you take something that is already beautiful and tell a story about it through color and light.

In high school I worked on the yearbook committee which introduced me to the world of photography but it wasn’t until after college that I pursued it professionally. At that point in my life photography was the biggest stress reliever for me. I started as my church’s lead photographer then one church family took a chance on me and asked me to take their family photos. It wasn’t until their session that I realized I could create a career and lifestyle out of photography. I began opening up my schedule and from word of mouth and some social media inquiries I began Mara Elizabeth Photography.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

One of my biggest goals within my business and art is to give people exactly what they want. And yes while I realize that is the idea and concept behind every business, I wanted to take it to the next level and serve my clients to the greatest extent possible. I didn’t want to just be the photographer who takes your pictures and you never hear from them again. I wanted to leave a lasting impression all while delivering them their memories in art form.

Not only are my packages, or collections as I like to call them, made specifically for each client, I strive to serve them in whatever capacity they may need during their session. At weddings I will set up a table for you if you need it, I will pin the flowers, or steam the dress all while ensuring that I am capturing your day the way you have always envisioned it.

I will be your biggest hype girl and your emotional support all at the same time if that is what you need. Being whatever a client needs is what I thrive on. I love to fill in the gap and be the glue if necessary. I believe that is one trait that has allowed me to grow into the creative that I am today. I live to serve, now would I say it was easy getting here, not necessarily, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. While at the time the hurdles were annoying and sometimes devastating, I jumped over them with God’s grace and tremendous support from those around me.

One of the biggest challenges I have faced throughout this journey has been comparison. I would compare myself and my work to others who in my mind were way better than me or those with the more expensive camera. I would always use the phrase “if I could just…” and it would twist my viewpoint of myself and of my work to the point where my joy was gone. I no longer cared about the big moments that I was saving for people cause I was too worried about how a different photographer would capture their moment, or how someone else would edit a photo. I got to the point where I was tired of feeling burdened by other people’s success and started creating my own. Comparison is the thief of joy and I was over it. I unfollowed account’s if I had to and I cut ties with a few individuals who only furthered competitive narratives and conversations. When I walked away from comparison I felt this relief and my joy began to overflow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love love love a good coffee shop and am always looking for new places to stop. Bitty and Beau’s coffee in Houston is one of my favorites. The barista’s fill you with joy while their coffee is filling you with caffeine. If you’re downtown you might as well go to Jinya too and grab some ramen. After the ramen, stop at Cloud Ten for some Nutella ice cream topped with meringue cookies then walk to Escape It! Houston right down the street and enjoy their variety of escape rooms. That right there is the perfect night!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

When starting something new the outcome is always different and hard if there are no support systems in place. For me my biggest support was my mama. She was the only one who would see my photos before I sent out the gallery, she would help look at my edits and tell me that I was good enough and that I deserved the recognition that I was being given. She’s my biggest supporter and my biggest role model. I would not be the young lady I am today without her and I can not thank her enough.

The biggest person who has had a massive role in my success, however, is Jesus. He is the one who created me to be creative and is the reason I am even alive to breathe and create art. Everyone experiences dark seasons and when I was at my literal darkest dealing with depression and an eating disorder He came in, scooped me up and gave me hope and joy. That hope and joy is what drives me to be my best self for my clients and their memories that I am honored to capture.

Website: maraelizabethphotography.com

Instagram: @mara.elizabethphotography

Facebook: @mara.elizabethphotography

Image Credits
All photos taken by Mara Elizabeth Photography