We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Malcolm and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Erin, what matters most to you?
Serving others is what matters most in everything that I do — both as a creative business owner and as a human in general. In the creative industry especially, it’s all too common to create from a self-serving place. Everybody wants to be the next person to get published or be credited with a viral Instagram post, but when that’s the driving force behind creativity, the “who” behind why we get to do what we do can get left behind. In my eyes, I’m able to live my dream life because of those who support me, so the least I can do is pay it forward. When I wake up everyday and choose to live through the purpose of serving others well, the rest falls into place.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s funny because, even still, I often forget that in my professional life I’m considered an “artist”. I get sort of caught off guard when that title is applied because never in my life was I ever considered “the artsy one”. Before I entered the photography industry professionally, I was a contributing writer and editor at one of Denver’s leading lifestyle publications and, even though that job does require some creativity, it was my main job to tell authentic stories above all else. I found my purpose in telling stories during that time — and that purpose remained with me as I transitioned from publishing to the world of creative entrepreneurship. When I set down the pen and picked up a camera to begin my career as a wedding & couple photographer, the word “artist” never crossed my mind. The word that stuck with me, instead, was “storyteller”. And that’s what sets my photography apart. Of course I want my work to come across as beautiful and artistic, but my real goal is for it to tell the accurate love story of those that I photograph on a personal level. I don’t create with the purpose of making art that could hang in a prestigious gallery or land on the cover of a magazine. I create with the purpose of giving my couples the gift of viewing their love in a way that is true to them. In my eyes, the real art that I create is the overwhelm of beautiful emotions my clients feel when they look back on their love stories captured in images.
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.
Well, to be totally honest, I’m not much of a city girl and neither are most of my friends. So I’d say we’d probably ditch the nights out on the town and take a local road trip instead. There’s nothing better than soaking in Colorado’s fresh mountain air and epic views with good company. We’d pack up our trunks and head into the Rockies without an exact destination in mind to enjoy a week of camping, hiking, fishing, and hammocking.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My fiancé, Jalen, has been my rock in all things I’ve done since the day we met. His constant support and encouragement is exactly what I’ve needed on the road to reaching both my professional and personal goals. We’ve recently gone into business together as a Wedding Photography & Videography Team, and I can already tell that his always-find-a-way and never-give-up attitude will take us far together, not just in business but in life!
I also owe a HUGE thank you to all of the people who took a chance on me in the beginning stages of my career as a photographer and the ones who continue to support my small business now. It’s because of so many kind clients, generous mentors, and other community-minded photographers in the industry that I was able to learn so quickly and grow to where I am today. I’ll never stop being grateful for the amazing people that I’ve had the privilege of encountering through the photography industry.
Website: https://erinlmalcolmcreative.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlmalcolm/