Today we’d like to introduce you to Makenzi Starr.
Hi Makenzi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My husband took a business class at BYU and ended up buying the Idaho and Kansas areas of a nationwide business called Tolman Media. Tolman Media is a wedding video & photo company, but my husband has always been in charge of the numbers not capturing the footage. However, his business ideas and relationship with Tolman Media is really how I became the wedding photographer I am today.
At the time he bought part of the company we were engaged. After we were married, I took a photography class, found some great mentors, and watched countless YouTube videos, because that is what you do as a business owner- you become an expert in your business. During this time, we had decided to take on the West Virginia area as well, so I flew out there and captured a wedding. It was a blast, and it turned out I was pretty good at it. 🙂 The next day I was talking with the Manager of Tolman Media Utah team, and they offered me a position as a full-time contractor. As soon as I got hired, I was doing 3 weddings/shoots a week. The great thing about Tolman Media is that there is no non-compete clause in their contracts, meaning I can do photography work for myself and even another company AND keep all the footage I capture for my own portfolio.
The secret to my success has been making positive relationships with everyone I meet. At every wedding I strive to talk to everyone and be their friend, including the videographer I work with! A lot of my success has been referrals by guests at a wedding, referrals by the videographer, referrals by my manager, etc. I’ve also learned so much from different videographers and photographers. I now do videography because my great friend, Alex Pizzarro offered me free mentorship. Alex taught me one on one and let me practice alongside him at an actual wedding so that I could learn.
Today I still work for Tolman Media in Utah and Idaho, I’m a Tolman Media Area Manager (I get to hire and train other photographers and videographers), and I capture my own client’s weddings! Besides knowing the right people, my continual dedication to learn from criticism, figure things out on my own, ask questions, and adapt to be better has allowed me to be where I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely had its ups and downs. I think now I look back and only see the good, but there were low moments. It can be frustrating to figure out what all the buttons on your camera do all by yourself. It can also be frustrating when you spends 100s of hours trying to figure out the right editing style. It is a lot of detail-orientated work. But overall, it was be a rewarding experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of Makenzi Starr Photography. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Makenzi Starr Photography is a couple photography business. I mainly do medium to large-size weddings, engagement sessions, first look session, and bridals. I am based in Utah, so I know all the tips and tricks to have the perfect Utah wedding. Many photographers want to travel and do weddings everywhere but because I have done over 100 shoots in Utah, I am really good at it. When you go to the same venue 10 times, you know all the good spots to take photos without delay. Brand-wise, my footage looks clean, natural, and timeless. Couples will look at their photos for years to come. I don’t want them to cringe at them because they were edited in a trendy way. I don’t do blurry, dark, rustic colored, etc. editing because we don’t know if that will be the “in” thing is 20-50 years. Simple and natural.
Yes! I would love your readers to know about what I offer! Here is my website: https://www.makenzistarrphotography.com/
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Definitely my husband. Without him I would not have captured so many weddings with Tolman Media. He has also really pushed me to work hard in my photography and be better. He is always the last pair of eyes that checks my work before it is sent to the couple.
Pricing:
- Pearl Package: 4 hours $1,050
- Silver Package: 6 hours $1,299
- Gold Package: 8 hours $1,575
- Engagements: $275
- First Look: $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makenzistarrphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makenzistarrphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makenzistarrphotography
