Meet Mercedes Williams | Photographer

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

Hi Mercedes, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Wow! Let’s talk about it..

I was born in California, and moved to Arizona and Colorado in my early years. We jumped around all three of those states until my freshman year when my family & I were able to settle down in Colorado.

The reason for all the moving was because my father was being extradited from state to state for non-violent crimes. It was hard on my mom, and she became addicted to opioids. (She is now three years sober! WOOHOO!)

My family & I were homeless living in hotels during my early teenage years. My hard working father was trying to support his family, while also supporting my moms pill addiction.

Due to the constant moving I was not able to attend school as much as I should have.
My junior year I dropped out, frustrated from how behind I was academically. I was becoming a statistic.

I got pregnant at 16, and had my first daughter in January 2015.
I moved out of my parents house not wanting to raise my daughter around the chaos, and into my now husbands, families house to raise our daughter.

I was still a child myself, trying to raise a child and find a way to support us. My husband had a camera that he shot with, that I picked up one day to take milestone pictures of our daughter.

I fell in love with it, I loved capturing her growth and others seemed to love the pictures too. I then started to photograph my family and friends. I was a full time server at Village Inn, while also doing photography part time.

In 2019 we had our second child, and while on maternity leave I decided it was time to leave my serving job and start my photography full time and become my own boss.

Fast forward to now, I am a mother of four beautiful children. I left Village Inn and never looked back. I have been BOOKED & BUSY! And I’m so incredibly grateful.

My background has impacted who I am today in a strong way. I took everything I’ve ever been through and turned it into something beautiful.

I’m a hard working wife, mother, and photographer.

If you would have told little girl Mercedes this is where she’d be in life now, she’d think that you were lying.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer located in Denver. I am most proud of how much I’ve grown in my photography business, and how much I continue to grow.

I got here today by staying focused, and checking in every day! No excuses.

It was not easy, at all. But it was so worth it!
I overcame the challenges by learning from my mistakes, and doing better the best chance.

I’ve learned that you can’t be for everyone. And that’s okay! It’s okay to turn away things that aren’t meant for you.

I want the world to know that no matter the obstacles in life, you can do it! You have to believe in yourself. Wake up every day with a smile on your face and be thankful you’re alive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to explore the beauties of downtown, and enjoy the city for a bit.

I’d take them along to some of my shoots, let them watch me work and see what my day in the life is.

And we’d go to my favorite spot to get Birria tacos, at Tacos La Morenita located in Aurora.

Most of our time would be at home, cause ya know, mama of four here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s a couple people who deserve recognition in my story.

My amazing husband, Elijah. Who has been my #1 supporter since day one. He motivates me, and encourages me to be a better me every single day. He is my partner in everything in life. Really is the love of my life and my forever best friend.

My strong mama, Alexis. Who has been sober for THREE YEARS NOW! I am so proud of her and am so admired by her strength.

My hard working father, Wynn. Watching you get up and support your family no matter the situation is a huge reason for my drive and work ethic now. I can’t wait to retire you old man.

Website: Mercedeslenzphotography.com

Instagram: Mercedeslenzphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercedesLenzPhotography

Image Credits
Headshot of myself taken by my husband. Elijah Williams. EMW Photography All other photos taken by myself