We had the good fortune of connecting with Makenzie Kriss and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Makenzie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think balance and boundaries are two of the most important things to have in your business. When I first started, I booked and booked and didn’t really focus on anything else except how quick I could book & how fast I could fill up. Over time, and with more experience, I’ve really reflected on my “why”, & that is capturing people’s stories in an intentional & positive way. With more boundaries, I found I was leaning more into my strengths (being intentional) than ever before & my prices were able to increase, my business reviews were extremely high, my referrals were wonderful. I carry this learning into my home life as well. It’s been an amazing life lesson that I’ll continue to practice and hopefully continue to get better at with time. I think as a business owner, it’s really hard not to just solely focus on the numbers, but you have to remember you can’t pour from an empty cup. Find out what you value, what your clients value and what your family values & figure out how to meet those with balance.
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.
I’m a retired accountant turned to professional wedding photographer at 28 years old. I started in the corporate world, but found that many of my passions are bringing out the best in others. I love to bring a story to life & make others feel beautiful and blessed. Too many times, we spend our lives scrolling and comparing on social media – I love that my job allows them to scroll through and be able to reflect on their life & how beautiful it is as they scroll through their galleries I deliver. The main reason for the success of my business are these three things: consistency, boundaries & passion. Passion: kept me afloat when imposter syndrome would sneak in – boundaries: kept me from avoiding burnout & consistency built trust in my clients creating positive referrals.
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.
First, I would start some essential oils, fluff the pillows and make a care basket for their bedroom & fresh flowers. I’m big on providing comfort & sharing my home I’ve created with so much intentionally & passion. We would wake up and I would make them my favorite iced latte & cook them a big breakfast. Then, we would go on a small stroll, get fresh air & head to a local tea house for some tea & a good conversation. Basically, anything simple would be on my to-do list.
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?
First shoutout goes to my mom, who purchased a camera kit for me one Christmas and then my parents took me out to the country to chase & capture sunsets. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Website: https://maktographymk.com/
Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/maktographymk
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100056345120342/
Image Credits
MaktographyMK