Meet Meg Moulton | Family Photographer

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

Hi Meg, what do you attribute your success to?
Social media has certainly changed the way that businesses advertise and grow. However, word of mouth continues to be a crucial part of how new clients learn about me and my small business. Actually, it is a blend of both that helps me to secure new clients. First, they hear about me from a friend who had a good experience, and then they refer to social media to browse my portfolio to find out whether my editing style suits their taste and would ultimately make their family photo visions become reality. Social media is also how I communicate with clients- answer questions, address concerns, set dates etc. Being skilled in both areas, the interpersonal and with the broader social networking, is most important in growing my business and establishing my unique brand as a photographer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the creator/owner/operator of Mountain Ocean Sun (MOS) Photography. I provide affordable, meaningful and fun family photography sessions. What sets me apart from other family photographers is my documentary style approach and my true to life colors and editing. I believe that family photos and playful, storytelling photos don’t have to be in separate categories, I can provide both. When I explain my style to potential clients this is what I tell them -“Imagine you are having a picnic on the beach with your family on a late Sunday afternoon. You are dressed nicely, true to yourself and not overdressed. A photographer happens to walk by and offers to take photos of your family interacting and playing on the beach”. My photos are candid, ad minimally staged, but I do like to incorporate poses, prompts and props that are meaningful and organically make sense, that you would expect to be there (like hunting for seashells on the beach, climbing on a truck on the family farm etc). I like to anchor my sessions around a broad theme (for example I did flowers and hair braiding chains for motherhood sessions), which helps me to come up with creative angles and poses in the moment. Another aspect that sets me apart is that I provide the entire gallery at base cost– I do not have clients select their 10 favorite photos and charge for additional photos. As a newer photographer this helps me to be competitive and also allows me to perfect my editing approaches and become more efficient with each gallery. I do not know if this is something that will be sustainable forever, but for now I am happy to do it and my clients are happy too.

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?
I definitely need to credit my husband, without him my photography business would still just be an idea in my head. My family and I are currently stationed in Okinawa Japan, as my husband is active duty military. And although I am trained as an Occupational Therapist, it is quite difficult for me to obtain a traditional job through the Department of Defense because I am a Canadian citizen. I saw this as an opportunity to take a photography course and pursue a passion I have always had. My husband supported my decision without hesitation, and even relinquished control over our newly purchased family camera– a mirrorless Fujifilm xPro2. My husband supports me in so ways, not just emotionally but also financially when I was building my portfolio and not charging for my services. He also helps me with technical problems, testing new equipment, and watching the kids during the evenings when I am on location. I could not have started nor would I be able to continue to grow Mountain Ocean Sun Photography without my husband, so I dedicate my shoutout to him.

Website: https://mountainoceansunphotography.mypixieset.com

Instagram: @mountainoceansunphotography

Image Credits
Photo of me by Kylie Bee Photography, all other images are taken by me, Meg Moulton