Daily Inspiration: Meet McKenzie Berquam

Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie Berquam.

McKenzie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I bought my camera second-hand a few years ago when my first niece was born. I simply wanted to try to take nice pictures of her and soon after my business started to grow. It wasn’t my dream or plan to become a photographer, but it quickly blossomed and I photographed my first wedding less than a year later! Wow, have I learned so much since then!

Over the years I have tried many niches in the photography world and during college, I really photographed anything I could. It was soon after college and with my move to Minnesota that I realized I was really drawn to one thing; couples and their unique connections. I have a B.S. in Psychology which has led me to this exciting focus on human connections.

Over the past year, I have really worked to find a way to connect both my love for Psychology and my love for Photography together and come up with creative ways to showcase each client in their own unique light.

I also recently created Color Connection Sessions which are more creative and focus on using fun color overlays related to each client’s birthday. I also create little information cards that help relate each of the couple’s horoscopes and birthdays in a way to compliment each other. It is extremely special to me because I design and create the cards on my own. I do the research, type everything up, print it right here in my home office, and put them together. They are sessions that truly come from the heart and help give clients something extremely unique that they can’t get anywhere else. I am so proud of it and cannot wait to see how much I evolve over the years ahead.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is imposter syndrome. I would be lying if I said I have delivered a single session without ever second guessing myself. Basically every session I do and edit comes with overthinking and a ton of internal harshness. I frequently convince myself I don’t know what I am doing, even though thinking back on my first years I can easily remind myself how far I have come and how much I truly do know.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I mainly photograph couples and weddings and have grown to really appreciate my couples’ sessions. They can be steamy, intimate, or lifestyle focused which helps me create a unique story based on each couple. It is a deeper way to capture their passion, love, or adventures together and my love for finding that connection and creating photos that make you feel something sets me apart from other photographers.

What matters most to you?
If we are talking broad, my family and my close friend who has become a family matter the most to me. I have so many unique friendships and relationships and all of them serve me in the most honest and loving ways. From reminding me to rest, to hyping up my dreams, my close circle is so incredibly special to me.

Pricing:

• Couples Sessions start at $499
• Color Connection Sessions are uniquely priced through an email subscription with discounts every single month! Sign up here: https://www.knzphotography.com/color-connection-email
• Weddings start at $2099
• Other Sessions Vary by Type

Contact Info:

• Website: www.knzphotography.com
• Instagram: @theknzphotography
• Facebook: @theknzphotography

Image Credits
McKenzie Berquam