Meet McKenzie Moreno | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with McKenzie Moreno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi McKenzie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
One of the most important decisions i’ve made while working for myself and trying to grow is taking care of my mental health first. When I am putting myself first, I find that I do not get burnt out as easily, and that I am so much more energetic while working with clients. I love having FUN with my clients, and its really important to me that they have fun to. Its more rewarding when I’m doing what I love instead of doing it out of obligation.

This also plays a big role into being a mom of three! I have to constantly make sure I’m balancing these different aspects of my life. When I feel like a good mom and a good wife because i’m making time for them too, i’m an even better photographer because there isn’t the guilt in the back of my mind that i’m not doing enough.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In this industry its very hard to stand out. There are so many incredibly talented people in this city alone, but I try not to think of this as a competition because its not! Ive had so much help getting to where I am because of the amazing people I’ve met here. What sets me apart here is an ability to befriend everyone I come across. With both clients and in my personal life i’ve never met a stranger. There’s only so much you can do to a photo, but connecting with the people in them brings them to life.

Im proud of the progress I made in this industry. Starting from nothing to building something that I love doing everyday is surreal. I can only grow more in my style and creativity, and build more with the community around me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve had a few family and friends visit here, and the places we go to see are the iconic ones. Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Georgetown Railroad, and Manitou Springs are places we go every time people come to town. Our favorite eateries in Colorado Springs are Bingo Burger (get the sweet potato fries!) and Bubbas 33 (the Long Islands will wreck you). Another place we LOVED was the North Pole! I never realized that it wasn’t for Christmas until this past year when we went to go to pikes peak, but didn’t realize infants couldn’t go up, so we went to the North Pole right down the street and had an absolute blast with all 0f the kids. Even the adults had fun! If you’re going up to Denver, i’d say go to Meow Wolf and then finish off your day with Mellow Mushroom. You will never regret their veggie calzones and pretzel bites!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my family. I know it sounds cliche, but ever since I was little there was ALWAYS someone fostering my love of photography. My mom bought an old canon camera when I was little, and I loved it. Selective color was THE style in my head, and I thought I was basically professional. As an older teen I again took that same camera and photographed family and friends, and while I look back and see how awful the coloring and framing were, they look at them and love them because they were from me. After this was my aunt, who is an incredibly talented woman, sent me a framed photo I had taken of my daughter and told me how incredible it was, and in 2019 that’s all I needed. In early 2020 with the encouragement of my friends and family I started Olivia May Photography..

Website: oliviamayphotography.mypixieset.com

Instagram: instagram.com/oliviamayfoto

Facebook: Facebook.com/oliviamayphotographyy

Image Credits
Personal Image taken by Bobbie Post Photography