Meet Mackenzie Bremges Gilman | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mackenzie Bremges Gilman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mackenzie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my business was a very easy decision for me. I came out of college with degree in film and a camera that I bought at 2am on Black Friday. I started taking photos and fell in love. At that point I had to decide whether to start at the bottom in film production or become better at photography and eventually start charging for my work. It started off with wondering what was going to make me more successful, I had big dreams and didn’t want to settle for something I may not love – and I knew I loved photography. So I jumped in, worked as hard as I possibly could learning everything I could about photography, all while keeping 2 other jobs on the side for a few years. It was a hard start, but I am now living my best life as my own boss, doing what I love every single day. I wouldn’t change my decision for the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is my passion, and I know a lot of people say that about their art but I actually think about it all day, every day. Turning a hobby into a passion can be a weird thing, and some days it is. But most of the time, I look at my work and actually tear up knowing that I capture and document memories for people as a living with my art. I have grown so much as a photographer from when I first started. I’ve learned that my work is such an emotional and amazing gift, that I will never take for granted. I started with the most robotic and stiff posing and now I look at my work, which is now more of a documentary/lifestyle way of shooting, and know that I capture actual memories for people – and they get to keep these memories forever. I am a very emotional person and the love I feel for my clients, that come back to me several times a year, is why my work is as emotional and passionate as it is. I watch these people grow. I start with engagement sessions and capture their family’s love as it grows, year after year, newborn after newborn. I cry when I am a first to find out that a client of mine is pregnant. I am so honored and privileged with the trust that my clients have in me, every single day. Not only the trust to keep very personal and intimate secrets, but also trusting me to be the person to capture their memories, time after time. Capturing love for a living is what I was meant to do, and year after year it becomes more true. I have too much love in me to keep to myself, and being able to spread it through my art is something I will forever be grateful for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Boulder is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. Colorado is the state that opened my eyes to what there is within the United States. I am a big adventurer, traveler and hiker – so most of my time was spent hiking and exploring. The couple I was working for live in Boulder Colorado, Elizabeth and Christopher Flood. They had the love and trust in me to fly my out there to capture their wedding at Shupe Homestead in Longmont, CO, and I made the most of it and stayed for 5 days. Our first adventure was Chautauqua Park, in Boulder, where I hiked up to the first Flat Iron. I am glad that this was our first hike because I am not sure if I would’ve made it after all of the trails that followed this one! It was a steep, but beautiful start to my Colorado adventure, but also I’m pretty sure it was not the best way to acclimate to the elevation haha! After our hike, we ended up on Pearl Street and had a quick bite at Avanti on the rooftop!

Our next adventure was Isabelle Glacier in Ward, Colorado. This is where I saw a Moose for the very first time. The hike was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and this is a day that will live in my memory forever. The glacier water, the snowy peak, and the Moose. I have been wanting to see a Moose my whole life – I even live in New England and had never seen one!! So this day was extremely special for me, I will never forget it.

I then made my way to Rocky Mountain National Park and the town of Estes, with my brother-in-law, Sean. He used to live in Colorado so was there to show me all of the best spots. And this is where I saw an Elk, which I had also never seen before. Seeing an Elk on the side of the road, just hanging out, is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Again, Colorado just blowing my mind and giving me every experience I could’ve hoped for.

Mixed into all of the trails and hiking, I walked the amazing Pearl Street in Boulder. Where I enjoyed local eats at Illegal Petes, Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery, Thrive, and so many more amazing local spots. My couple also held their welcome event at Gunbarrel Brewing Co. and it was a super cool and fun spot.

My last day ended in a couples session back at Chautauqua Park, with a beautiful sunset that dropped behind the Flat Irons in my photos. It was a dream session.

Adventuring to Colorado has been one of the most memorable things I have ever done. I would go back 100 times over again, especially to capture a love story. And it has opened my eyes to how many more places I wanted to see, and capture love at, in the U.S. as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest supporters in my life are my husband and our families. I am so fortunate to have so many people in my life who have always supported me and my business. I also have so many of my clients that have stuck with me since day one. I wouldn’t be where I am without any of them. My husband, Ryan, has been by my side through every storm I’ve faced, with the most love and support. My parents – Shawne and Steve, my siblings – Paige, Matt, Brian (and their beautiful wives and children) have cheered me on since the day I started. My first photography sessions were newborns and first birthdays with my nieces and nephews, and it’s so cool to be able to look back on those times and know that they helped me start my business. My husbands family has also supported me since the day I started. The support system I have is unmatched and I truly would not be where I am without them.

Website: www.mackenziebhoto.com

Instagram: @mackenzieb.photography

Facebook: Mackenzie B Photography