Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Doll
Meghan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was one of those rare kids who knew exactly what she wanted to do early on. I took my first photography class in high school and was instantly hooked. That passion carried me into college, where I declared my major in Fine Art Photography in my very first semester—I never even considered another path.
My grandfather played a huge role in shaping my journey. He was a photographer himself, with a darkroom in his basement, and he let me take it over as my own. He was my toughest critic, rarely handing out compliments, so I’ll never forget the moment I came home from a trip abroad at 18, showed him my photos, and he finally said, ‘You’ve got a good eye, kid.’ That was all the validation I needed—I was all in.
After college, I moved to NYC and worked as a studio manager in a high-end commercial studio. It was an incredible learning experience, and while I wasn’t in love with the city, I soaked up everything I could about running a successful studio.
When I moved back home, I took what I learned in New York and built my own business. Now, 25 years later, my business is stronger than ever, and somehow, I still have the same passion and love for photography as I did when I first started. Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wish I could say it’s been smooth sailing, but I tend to learn by trial and error—so I’ve definitely had my share of hard lessons. One of the biggest was realizing that my happiness in my business matters most. Burnout is real in any profession, but for photographers, it can also take a physical toll. I had to trust that if something wasn’t lighting me up or was wearing me down, it was okay to pivot. I burned out on weddings and came close to burning out on portraits too. But each time, I took a step back, re-evaluated what wasn’t working, and found a way to bring the joy back.
Another struggle? Learning to say no. I’m a recovering people-pleaser, and for a long time, I tried to do it all. But I’ve learned that there’s only so much one person can take on. I had to get really clear on what I wanted to capture and figure out how to manage my time so I wasn’t overcommitting and stretching myself too thin.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a portrait photographer, and I specialize in creating timeless, authentic images that truly capture the essence of my clients. What sets me apart is the heart I pour into every session. With 25 years in the business, I’m proud that each year only gets better—it’s not just about the photos, but the connections I build with my clients. Whether I’m shooting branding photos for a professional or capturing family moments, I always aim to make my clients feel their best. I’m also passionate about creating artwork for the home—there’s something so meaningful about giving clients images they can cherish and display for years to come.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
omething most people don’t know about me? I’m a childless breast cancer survivor. That might sound heavy, but without a doubt, it shaped me into who I am today.
Here’s the short and sweet version of my story: At 39, while in the middle of trying to conceive, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I hadn’t always known I wanted kids, but when I did, I was all in—even pursuing single motherhood by choice. After two miscarriages, cancer changed everything. My prognosis made it impossible for me to have children, and as you can imagine, that was devastating.
But here’s what I’ve learned: life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. Going through this experience forced me to let go of control and find joy in the present moment. Instead of trying to map out every detail of my life, I follow what feels right—and honestly, it’s been the best recipe for happiness I could have ever imagined.
Now, I regularly wake up giddy with love for the life I lead. I get to be around kids all the time through my work, I have the most amazing partner I could have ever dreamed of, and I have the freedom to do whatever I please. Somebody pinch me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meghandoll.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovemeghandoll
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-doll/
