Meet Margaret Belanger of Margaret Belanger Photography in Winchester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Belanger.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always loved taking photos (which I think most photographers can say), but never thought it was something I could do as a job. I carried a camera with me as a way to document my life, as a way of saying, “Hello, World! I’m here!” In that way, I consider myself a historian as much as an artist, Photography gives me the opportunity to document other people’s histories now and not just my own.

I love movies and all things pop culture, so I ultimately went out to Los Angeles and got my Masters in Critical Studies-Film & Television from USC. In order to cope with a little bit of homesickness and a little bit of culture shock, I immersed myself in the history of Hollywood. I did a ton of research and then traveled all over Los Angeles photographing what I considered to be historical locations – I vowed to photograph whatever was in that physical location. Sometimes, it was a parking lot, but sometimes all my research paid off. I received special tours of the Jim Henson Studios (once Charlie Chaplin’s studios) and of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks’ home on the PCH. It was amazing. Every time I travel back to LA, I go armed with a little collection of places I want to go and photograph. It’s an ongoing passion project. It also got me working more with the camera and thinking more about the possibilities of photography.

As a critical studies film student, I was required to take one production class and I brought my camera every time we had to act out scenes. My first portfolio images were from these little shoots. What a dream to be able to photograph people who are already lit cinematically! After I graduated, a USC production student hired me to be his official set photographer. I learned so much about composition and lighting just from being on set.

When I moved back to Boston, I dared to dream that I could find a job as a photographer. Using my photos from Los Angeles, I applied to work at a portrait studio and got the job. I spent two and a half years photographing primarily children under 5yrs old. I worked with awesome people (many of whom now run their own photography businesses) and I really learned about customer service and photographing people! After a good run there, I realized that if I wanted to strike out on my own, it was time. I left that studio in December of 2006 and I’ve been running my own business ever since!

Each year, I work at improving my photography and improving my business. There is always something to learn!

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?
Photography has been my sole business for the last ten years, so it’s been great, but it’s not always an easy road. You have to work really hard to stay relevant, and yet not give in to a lot of trends that will seem dated five years from now. Photography also tends to be “seasonal” around here – not as many people get married in the winter, or want portraits in the winter – so you need to be able to plan ahead. Thankfully, babies are born all year round, so that helps! Ultimately, I don’t think anyone becomes a photographer because they’re dying to run their own business. I became a photographer so that I could be a storyteller, so I could be creative, and so I could be a historian. The business aspect of it is the biggest learning curve. There’s not much I would change about my educational choices, but I *maybe* would have taken a marketing course along the way. Since I can’t go back in time, I continue my education by attending workshops and conferences where I can learn from other photographers (and sometimes even teach other photographers). Boston has a strong and supportive community of photographers, which means that there is always someone willing to answer a question and there’s always someone willing to commiserate.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Margaret Belanger Photography – what should we know?
When I started Margaret Belanger Photography, I photographed babies and families since that’s what I knew how to do, but I quickly transitioned into photographing weddings as well. They truly fit together seamlessly. I love that I photograph so many of my wedding clients’ families. I put a lot of emphasis on my relationship with my clients – there are families I’ve photographed every year for the past ten years. To me, that’s really special. Family always comes first. That’s the way I live my life and the way my clients live theirs. That belief also means that family portraits are truly one of the most valuable gifts I can give my clients. I have the honor of getting to know them and documenting their story. This year I was thrilled to win my area’s Hulafrog’s Most Loved Family Photographer award. Weddings are the same way – I want the focus to be on relationships and family. I love photographing joy and laughter and connection. And I tend to be really organized, which I think helps the day run really smoothly for the couple!

Last year I started incorporating aerial photography into my weddings. I work with an FAA-licensed drone pilot and we’re having so much fun maximizing the coverage we’re able to give clients on their wedding day! We’ve even used it in engagement sessions! It’s a whole new way to get creative.

In all aspects of my photography, I think I bring a modern twist to traditional portraiture.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
All of my photographer friends are excellent at what they do, so in order to stand out, your personality needs to do a lot of the heavy lifting. When I’m working with children, I’m down on the ground playing with them and I’m super patient. Not only does that put the children at ease, but the parents, too. It’s my job (and my joy) to give families not only great images, but a great experience, too! The same goes for weddings. If I stay calm and light and organized, it means the couple can relax and just enjoy the day. Knowing I’m concerning myself with the details of the day gives them the freedom to live in the moment and soak it all in. And, of course, I can’t forget the smiling. I love what I do, so I spend most of a family session and most of a wedding SMILING. Never underestimate the power of a smile.

Pricing:

• Family sessions start at $250
• Wedding day coverage averages $4000

Contact Info:

• Website: www.megbelangerweddings.com, www.megbelanger.com
• Phone: 781-570-9214
• Email: meg@megbelanger.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/megbphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/margaretbelangerphoto/

Image Credit:
Margaret Belanger Photography
Headshot by: Allana Taranto of Ars Magna Studio

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