Meet Megan Megs” Levi | Boutique Photographer”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan “Megs” Levi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan “Megs”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, it started by what i like to call “a devine accident”. I was on a completely different path: pursuing acting and theatre arts. My big plan was I was either going to become a stunt double or a Shakespearean expert and there was little in between. So my photography career started the way every photographers journey starts: as a hobby.

I noticed that theatre students at my university didn’t have headshots when they were auditioning (if you don’t know, it’s a standard requirement to have one). So I put up flyers and filled a niche, by my third year I somehow became known as the departments “go to photographer”. And I was, I would spend more time on photos and this hobby than any of my classes ( don’t tell my professors haha).
It wasn’t until about 2 post grad years later that I put the pieces together and felt that I had a definite calling on my life to create photography.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am what is referred to as a boutique photographer. And that is a very fancy way of saying that I am heavily invested in your family and your story. I am thrilled to offer all of my clients, museum quality, heirloom artwork that celebrates their families and the journeys that they have gone on that brought them to where they are. I’m really excited to begin rolling out new and better products for all of my clients in this next season.

As far as getting to where I am today, businesswise, I made it up as I went a long until I realized I couldn’t anymore. I think there comes a time in any professionals life where they have to make a pivot from “this is kinda a thing I sorta do: cool hobby” to “I’m gonna put all of my eggs in this basket and be a business owner.” It’s a very scary jump but if you have something worth doing you have to jump.

I wouldn’t call it easy but I wouldn’t call it challenging. For me the most difficult part is I really struggle with work life balance if I am working for myself than I am either constantly working or… that’s it I’m constantly working. And if you don’t give yourself ample time to rest and recover like you wouldn’t any other kind of job, you will burn out. And it’s a lot more emotional when you burn out in your own business because it is so deeply connected to your being and I think to a certain degree, your self worth.

If I want people to know, one thing, it is this: even if this business fails in the next five years, I will not stop holding people as sacred and delighting, and telling the stories that they hold so dearly to them. I will just find a different way to do it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, easy! I’m worried these are all going to be food places because I love to eat but we’ll see.

First off, we have to go to Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe for brunch or lunch or something. My family and I have been going to Nutmeg since they opened and have watched it grow into the incredible business that it is today. And the food is the best thing ever.

At some point, I always recommend Better Buzz coffee – my husband likes their best drink ever, I am partial to the Chai.

We have to go to one of the beaches during sunrise and take some photos, the way the light hits the water in the morning is incredibly magical. I will say I am not a beach purest, like many native San Diegans. My favorite beach is whichever is most likely to be the least crowded when the beach feeling.

I would be remiss if we didn’t take a walk about Balboa Park and then enjoy a show at the Old Globe or La Jolla Playhouse!

And at least one night we will have to make reservations at Ciccia Osteria: a little italian place in the heart of San Diego. Their expert culinary feasts are only matched by the dear kindness of their owners and chefs.

Of course we will cook from home or maybe take a picnic up to Hilltop Park for ocean views and ultimate frisbee.

It’s hard to give you just a few things because I have spent my whole life in San Diego and their are so many places and businesses that are so dear to me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are half a dozen people that I could think for loving me into being. My husband for staying up all through the night and well into the early morning just so I didn’t feel alone while I was working on my business – to the framer in town who taught me about markups haha.

But I really want to think Pennie Grant. The woman who I didn’t even meet at a wedding that I was shooting that tracked me down and told me that this was my purpose in life. God used her to change the game.

Website: www.megslevi.com

Instagram: @megslevi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/megs-levi-photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megslevi/

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/megslevi/

Image Credits
Person photo Sarah Yates Photo