Meet Mackenzie Childress | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mackenzie Childress and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mackenzie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While I was working my “safe” 9-5 job I realized I wasn’t happy or excited about working for someone else’s dream. I would rather take the leap and live out my dream while I’m still young. I’m grateful for my 9-5 normal job and the coworkers I have met. But at the end of the day I sleep better knowing I’m taking control of my own life and striving to be the person/artist I’ve always dreamt of being. Starting my own business has absolutely been the best thing I’ve done but also the most stressful thing. Navigating my way to not only serve my clients and community but also creating a balance between my personal and work load in my life has been a challenge because I work a lot more now than my old 9-5 job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Any and all photography I absolutely love and respect. I love product photography, fashion, landscape, portrait, wedding, lifestyle, black and white, even real estate photography lol. I picked up my mom’s Canon T3 Rebel 10 years ago in high school for a Photography 101 class and was totally discouraged and confused. Comparison has destroyed me numerous times. I finished the class and didn’t touch the camera again for a couple of years. I came across a group of music photographers on Instagram and it was like something was reignited in me and I needed to take a swing at it. I picked up the T3 Rebel again with the dream of touring with a music artist and photographing them during their concerts. But again, I quickly got discouraged from comparing myself to others and my camera was back on the shelf collecting dust. I am grateful for those times because looking back I see someone who was afraid of failure and judgement from others now I look in the mirror and see someone who lives for herself and goes after what she wants. I picked up my camera again back in 2019 and haven’t set it back down and do not plan to. I hope the world views me and my brand and is inspired by my setbacks and comebacks and use my experiences to fuel their own motivation to go after what they want.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Even after living in San Diego for 6 years now I love the idea of playing tourist. I mean it’s San Diego!

My favorite breakfast place lately is Le Papagayo in Carlsbad. The location, energy, staff, cocktails and of course food is always great. Carlsbad beach is my favorite beach in San Diego county because it’s a good mixture of fun upbeat energy but also relaxing because it’s mostly locals and they are in no hurry ever.

Sunset Cliffs is my favorite place to take my clients for shoots and down the street is another great restaurant called OB Noodle house. But at the very top of my list for food in all of San Diego is Underbelly in North Park. Their ramen is something I crave often as well as their Matcha Tea cocktail!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Aunt Cindy has been the photographer I’ve always admired and looked up to. Even when I first started and the horizons in my photos were crooked, my shots were over exposed, my edits were all out of wack, she still took the time to guide and encourage me to where I’m at today. I am still learning each and every day and far from the photographer I aspire to be but my aunt is always there when I have questions about how to edit a certain thing in Photoshop or how to deal with a client in a difficult situation. She is not only one of my favorite photographers in the world but one of my favorite people.

Website: Mackfocus.com

Instagram: @mackfocusphotography

Facebook: Mack Focus Photography