Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie LaPan.
Hi McKenzie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually grew up in Salt Lake City and met my husband here in Utah while I was working as a dental assistant. Photography had always been quietly woven into my life, though. I was always the friend with a camera in my hand, the one everyone sent their photos to for editing. Even as a little girl, I would take my mom’s camera out into the garden and photograph her flowers. She printed one of those photos and hung it in my bathroom, and it stayed there my entire childhood. Looking back, that feels really symbolic, like photography was always part of me, even before I realized it could be something more.
For a long time, I didn’t see it as a “real” career. It felt like a creative outlet, not something you build a life around. But my husband believed in me before I fully believed in myself. We went to Best Buy and bought my very first camera — nothing fancy, just something to learn on, and I started practicing constantly.
When we moved to Sacramento for his work, I was still dental assisting and honestly feeling unfulfilled. I knew I wanted something different. Around that time, I signed up for a content weekend in Santa Cruz hosted by a well-known photographer. I remember posting those images and being shocked at the response. That was the moment it clicked, this could be something real.
From there, I went all in. I spent countless hours learning everything I could about wedding photography — timelines, lighting, flash, indoor receptions, outdoor ceremonies. I taught myself through YouTube, practice, trial and error. I photographed my friends, my husband, my dog.. anyone who would let me practice. I truly built it from the ground up, and that’s something I’m really proud of.
That first year, I was stunned by how many couples trusted me with their weddings. Then it grew the next year. And the next. I’m now 7 years in, and what started as a creative spark has turned into a thriving business I never imagined possible.
The past couple of years have looked a little different after having my two boys, and my pace has shifted — but my love for it hasn’t. Now being back in Utah, where it all started for me, feels really full circle. California weddings will always hold a special place in my heart, but I’m so excited to plant roots here, learn this landscape, and bring everything I’ve built into this new chapter.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To be honest, the beginning felt almost surreal in the best way. My business grew quickly. I was consistent, I poured everything into it, and I was booking weddings a year or more in advance. I’m still amazed at how organically it took off. It felt like confirmation that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
But growth doesn’t always look the same in every season.
When I had my two boys, I intentionally slowed down. That wasn’t something that happened to me, it was something I chose. I wanted to be present at home while they were little, while still keeping photography as a creative outlet that filled me up. That shift changed my pace, but it also gave me a deeper appreciation for balance.
Right now, I’d say I’m in the most stretching season yet. Moving my business back to Utah has been eye-opening. It’s one thing to build momentum in a place where your name is known.. it’s another to plant yourself somewhere new and start building those connections again. I’m still shooting primarily in California, which I’m incredibly grateful for, but traveling back and forth as a mom of two toddlers isn’t easy. There’s a constant pull between loving what I do and loving being home.
At the same time, this transition has already introduced me to so many incredible vendors and creatives here in Utah. It’s reminded me that growth often comes disguised as discomfort. I truly believe this season is strengthening both me and my business. It’s stretching me in ways that will make the foundation even stronger, and I’m genuinely excited for what this chapter here in Utah will become.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in wedding photography — that’s truly where my heart is. I photograph families and newborns as well, but there’s something about documenting the beginning of a marriage that just fills me up in a different way. I genuinely love love. It sounds simple, but it’s true.
One of my favorite parts of this job actually happens before the wedding day. I love hopping on FaceTime with a couple who’s inquiring and hearing their story — how they met, how the proposal happened, what they’re most excited about. Engagement sessions are such a sweet space for that connection to grow. We’re laughing, playing music, talking about their life together while creating photos that feel natural and effortless. By the time the wedding day comes, it never feels transactional — it feels like I’m showing up for friends.
What really sets my work apart is the relationship I build with my couples. I’m not just there to take photos. I help with timeline planning, I guide them through what the day will look like, and I make sure they feel calm and confident. Your photographer is with you for almost every moment of your wedding day — it matters that you trust them and feel comfortable with them.
The biggest compliment I receive is when couples tell me I’m their “forever photographer.” Getting to document their engagement, wedding, maternity, newborns, and growing families is such an honor. Watching their story unfold over the years is one of the most beautiful parts of what I do.
At the end of the day, I specialize in weddings because they make me happy. I love the emotion, the anticipation, the quiet in-between moments, the big celebrations — all of it. It’s not just about beautiful images. It’s about preserving the beginning of a legacy.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the bubbly, energetic girl who was always moving. I have three brothers and I’m the only girl, so I definitely grew up running around outside, playing sports, and keeping up with them. Sports were a huge part of my life, I loved the teamwork, the competition, and just being active.
Academically, I wasn’t the girl who loved books or thrived in a traditional classroom setting. I learned pretty early on that I’m much more hands-on and experiential. I understand things by doing them, practicing them, and physically working through them. I’ve always been more creative than analytical..more drawn to movement, people, and creating something tangible.
That’s actually why dental assisting made sense for me at the time. It was hands-on, detailed, and practical. But photography is where that same hands-on energy met creativity. I love having my camera in my hands. I know it instinctively now, how it feels, how it responds, how to adjust without even thinking. It feels like an extension of me.
I also always loved being around people. I’m naturally social, and I’ve always been drawn to connection. Looking back, it makes so much sense that I ended up in a career where I get to create, move, connect, and tell stories all at once. It feels very aligned with the little girl I was.
Pricing:
- My wedding packages start at $2400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mckenzielynnphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: mckenzielynn_photography
