Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla Selvik.
Hi Makayla, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It seems impossible to “briefly” walk anybody through my story and explain how my two feet landed where they are today. The largest explanation is God. And plenty of red bull. No. In all seriousness, I have always had this feeling that I am here for a reason. It’s the most insane feeling, literally, it makes me feel crazy, to this day. I have always felt like I never belonged anywhere or with anyone. So I stuck to what I knew, and that was the restaurant industry. Once I had my first little babe I did what most mom’s in the early 2000s did – buy a camera and play photographer, I mean after all, we each have the most PERFECT model right? Photos were always something I was mesmerized by. I used to sit at my Grandmother’s and just stare at photos. Looking at what made them look the way they did. What kind of emotion was expressed. The tones. Keeping in mind this was back in the day when the majority of people printed images or used disposable cameras. Never once in my wildest dreams did I say ” I hope I can be a photographer someday” – to be quite candid. That seemed like a job that was incredibly out of reach.
After playing with the camera I had a few friends who asked if I would take pictures for them. Hesitantly said yes, I didn’t want to disappoint and with the camera on other subjects, it made me nervous as hell!! However I kept doing it, somehow. I kept teaching myself. I kept learning. Finally – I put my name on an image. And the rest is history. Kidding, no way was it that easy, but that is how the ball got rolling. I have worked tirelessly at perfecting my images, and that in itself is a job. You see what most people don’t know, is that as you grow and change as a person your art grows. Your power grows. Your intentions change. You are constantly comparing yourselves to others in the industry no matter how hard you try not to. That is totally not fair, but totally the truth, at least for me.
Really this has been a journey that has taught me more than I could ever give back. It helps me grow a backbone 150%. It’s also helped me find beauty in places it doesn’t want to show its face. It’s helped me recognize all I have been blessed with, and how hard I have worked. It helps me relate to people I never thought possible. It’s brought forth relationships that I will forever be grateful for. Of course, there was plenty of bad pr on the way. Ups and downs – but looking back at the last 10 years, I can say I am so proud of the path it’s taken me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Specialize is a tough word for me – if I were to pick one thing I would say it’s watching families grow. To see them say their vows, witness their first baby enter the home, learn how to cope with the loss of babies, struggling through the years of toddler tantrums. I LOVE relating to people and just listening. Everybody has so much to say, even if they don’t speak it, I can see it, feel it, sense it. Love is my jam so of course, I can’t give up on weddings, I am just a bit more selective nowadays than I used to be 🙂 Newborns are the most frequent and the best medicine for the soul. Family shoots bring me joy knowing we are all trying to survive with the best version of ourselves possible.
What I am most proud of? Where I came from and how I did it. I did this for me, BY ME. I worked through the ugly times when I was barely meeting bill due dates. I made mistakes and learned from them. I put my neck out there when my anxiety was shooting out the roof. That was incredibly hard.
I think what sets me apart from others is a silly question. I mean what set me apart from others? I am ME. At the end of the day, you are booking for my style but if you can’t stand ME, personally, you probably aren’t the client begging to get on the books? Am I right?
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Who doesn’t deserve credit?! I mean as far as mentors go, I asked here and there but really pushed myself to learn it. I went to amazing workshops. The very first few clients who trusted me – the couple who allowed me to shoot their wedding allowing me to make it my first? My family for having faith that I could make this work. My husband for his push, his patience, and his support. My kids for saying goodbye only to know I’ll be back after the wedding or sitting in the car for hours just so we can have some one on one time. My parents and in-laws for all the help here and that, at the drop of a dime. You name it- I am thankful. Everybody deserves credit, I may press the button on the camera but there is so much more that goes with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makaylaraephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makaylaraephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakaylaRaePhotographyanddesignco
Image Credits:
Makayla Selvik
