Today we’d like to introduce you to Malachi Lewis.
Hi Malachi, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I first started my photography journey when I was only around 5 years old. At the time, digital cameras weren’t as much of a thing so I learned first on film. I grew up taking photos of all the animals on our little farm, the Nebraska sunsets, and doing lots of landscape photography to start. Eventually, more and more people around me started asking me for more portrait photography as I got into my teen years. I hadn’t really ever photographed people but I started to learn. Eventually, I wound up in wedding photography and specialized in high-end events in the Midwest. After years of doing that, I really began to crave being outdoors more and more. I didn’t just want to take adventurous weekend trips all the time, I was ready to live in a place where adventure was just waiting for me just outside my door. After traveling the country for the better part of a year, I finally settled on western Colorado. I live right on the Colorado/Utah border and it is the perfect spot to be central to so many different areas where you can adventure in the outdoors. As soon as I moved out here, I started specializing in adventure elopements because I wanted to share these special outdoor areas with couples during some of the biggest points in their lives. Couples can make core memories out here and have amazing photos to remember it by! I’m just so honored to be a part of their wedding days in the great outdoors.
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 definitely has not been easy. In addition to teaching myself to be a photographer, I also had to teach myself to be a business owner which meant things like learning about taxes, laws that affect small businesses, permits for areas such as national parks, and how to market myself. When I moved out west, I knew there were SO MANY talented photographers and artists here already. I had to stand out and not just copy what others were doing, I had to be true to myself. Part of that was developing my photography style more. I have always been inspired by National Geographic and colorful film photography, so my photography style is kind of a combination of both.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in adventure elopements in places like the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, the deserts of Moab, and travel all throughout the US (and sometimes even the world) to create bold, colorful, and adventurous images for couples to enjoy and have memories of their unique wedding days in the outdoors. Yes, I am known for my colorful photos, but one thing that both couples and friends have said about me is that I am ready for anything. Whether it is some crazy adventure, a weather emergency, some first aid supplies, or you need to be sewn into your wedding dress because the zipper broke, I’m ready for it all! I have a fully loaded adventure vehicle (4×4 Tacoma) that is already packed with anything you might need and it’s ready to take us down some rough roads.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor is going to depend on your niche and what you want to do. It can be hard to find a mentor for adventure elopement photography because most of our clients value privacy and don’t want too many people tagging along, or we just have very busy schedules with lots of travel involved. My advice is to be open to virtual mentorships via platforms like Zoom. Planning your own styled shoots with the help of a mentor can help you learn a lot too. I’ve also really enjoyed all of the education put out by Adventure Instead Academy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shellcreekphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellcreekphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellcreekphoto
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/shellcreekphoto
