Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Goggins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was always the person that had some sort of camera on her hip at all times. Back in high school if my friends and I were going to the mall, or an amusement park, or even to each others house, I brought it with me everywhere because I had such a fascination for documenting my life.
Because of my mom, I now have albums and boxes FILLED with photos of me and my family as I was growing up and I loved that I had these moments in print.
Once I grew up, I wanted to continue what she started and that was documenting my life! My senior year of high school I had the idea of maybe using my camera to photograph someone else, not in a journalistic way, but posing them! I asked a friend of mine to come along with me to a park by my house and do a photo shoot with me and after this day, my life changed. I had a BLAST!
I started taking pictures of other people and challenged myself with different types of sessions. I photographed babies, families, high school seniors, even birthday parties and events! I was now using my love for photographing and documenting the life and putting it towards other people and helping them capture THEIR life!
Fast forward about a year later and I photographed my first wedding. I couldn’t believe how exhilarating and amazing that experience was. It was one of the best days of my life! This day is the day I figured out what my calling was in life. This is what I was meant to do. I was born to capture people’s wedding day. The most anticipated and memorable day in someone’s life. I just loved all of the details that went into the day, and seeing friends and family gather together and celebrating the couple!
There was SO much to take pictures of and I loved photographing everything about the day and being able to give this couple photographs that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Now, fast forward 4 years later and I am photographing more weddings than I ever thought I would! This dream of mine to become a wedding photographer is coming true faster than ever hoped for and I am so grateful!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Rome was not built in a day,” said a friend of mine a few years ago when I was feeling discouraged by my business. Building a successful photography business doesn’t happen in a day either. You have to learn the skills of working a camera, posing techniques, build a “tribe” or clientele and nurturing your client experience, finding your style, maintaining all of the backend types of stuff.
It takes time to learn and grow in all of these areas! It can often seem like the weight of the Earth is on your shoulders and it takes a lot of work and patience! After many mistakes, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work for me and I’m STILL learning! My biggest pieces of advice, patience is key- and never stop learning!
Please tell us about Megan Goggins Photography.
Megan Goggins Photography is based in the southern suburbs of Chicago and loves to travel beyond that! I specialize in weddings and engagements and my style is very genuine, colorful, bubbly and joyful!
I am very much known for loving macarons, the color mint and celebrating even the smallest of occasions! When I’m not taking pictures of joyful couples, I’m probably making something with my hot glue gun! What I strive for the most with my clients is that I don’t want to be just another vendor to check off for their wedding day, I want to become a good friend by their side during this journey!
When I walk into that bridal suite on the biggest day of her life, I want her to run towards me with a giant hug and be so excited that I’m there! I love to serve my couples well and give them an experience that is far beyond just getting photographs after the day is over.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memories are probably going to craft shows with my mom to see my grandma while she worked her table filled with crochet canvas magnets! I think my love for creating, crafting and DIY-ing comes from both my grandma and mom!
For as long as I can remember I always had a passion for making things with a hot glue gun or turning something old into something new and beautiful!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.megangoggins.com
- Email: hello@megangoggins.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megangogginsphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganGogginsPhotography/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
