Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Polleys.
Mary, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
In college I started to shoot events for the campus newspaper, and my dad bought me my first DSLR camera. After graduating, I realized that more than anything I loved to shoot with people, and reached out to local wedding photographers to pick their brain. Caroline Winn was so amazing and offered for me to shadow her, and from that first wedding with her I was hooked. I took classes, attended workshops taught by industry leaders and learned by second-shooting with Caroline and other photographers.
Weddings are exciting, challenging, and whirlwind days that leave me both exhilarated and exhausted, and then I get to deliver images that the couple and their families will treasure forever. There’s really nothing else like it.
I also shoot a lot of families and portraits for people I get to see year after year, which is really awesome because I get to see how they grow and change. 2 years ago, I started my first photo series for female athletes. I shoot with them and interview them about what drives them and what it’s like to be a female athlete from their perspective. I’ve done shoots with ladies from age 9 and up, and I post them on my blog. I hope to one day display the photos, but for now I’m always looking for new subjects!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Photography is the ultimate way of being completely in the moment. You’re focused through the lens and you’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a great escape. Literally everything else on my mind goes away when I’m at your session or wedding. I’m only thinking about what’s in front of me!
Above all else, I want my photos to be classically styled and evergreen. Trends come and go in photography, just like anything else, but I want your wedding photos, senior portraits, family portraits, etc. to be able to stand the test of time. They are precious heirlooms! I shoot and edit with that intention in mind.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Well, I can’t say I’m unfamiliar with that struggle! Photography is an expensive endeavor, and I haven’t gone full-time yet, so it’s very challenging to balance a full-time job that pays the bills with doing what you love in a side business.
It’s a hustle that I’m right in the middle of – so any advice for me I’d love to hear it! I will say, I started to outsource some of the behind-the-scenes work so that I have more time to do the good stuff, and it’s been a really good change for me. It’s tough to let go of things you’d previously had your hands on, but the time it frees up is worth its weight in gold. Gotta have balance!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can find my portfolio at www.marypolleysphotography.com, on Facebook: facebook.com/marypolleysphotography and on IG: @marypolleysphotography.
Follow me there, inquire about a session, or tell your friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marypolleysphotography.com
- Phone: 781-258-7846
- Email: marylouisepolleys@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/marypolleysphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/marypolleysphotography
Image Credit:
Me and Matt Preston for the photo of Me.
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