Today we’d like to introduce you to Skylar Gilmore.
Hi Skylar, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up I have always had a passion for art. Art was my way to express myself and let my creativity shine from project to project. I found comfort in the mediums that I was confident and comfortable with: drawing and painting. Once I got to college, I was studying Kinesiology but needed an artistic outlet so I decided to minor in art. Through minoring in art, I was given the opportunity to take photography and grow my knowledge in the field. I have always loved photography and had a passion for it, but always found it somewhat intimidating because it fell outside of my art confidence. Through the support of my friends and family, I started to take photos as a hobby and soon realized that people were liking my photos as much as I did.
My confidence built and my love for taking photos transitioned into something that I wanted to do more professionally. Through encouragement from my family, I decided to start Skylar.mgphotography! I wanted my business to be centered on the thing I set my foundation in my faith. Through the glory of the gospel and my love for Jesus, I wanted to share that love with others through the gifts He has given me. Jesus loves others for who they are and that is exactly how I approach every session. I want my clients to be themselves and confident in who Jesus made them be! Jesus has blessed me in a multitude of ways, and getting to rejoice in that through capturing photos of His creation is a gift I so dearly treasure!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall I think that it has been a mixture of both. This has been something that I have gotten to build from the scratch and in and of itself that has been a challenge. I have had to figure out how to best serve and reach potential clients and that hasn’t always been easy. Creating this business, I had the skewed expectation that it would grow overnight. That has been very inaccurate.
My biggest challenge is letting my business grow in an appropriate and understanding manner. I have had to relax and find confidence in the why behind starting the business. My why isn’t to have the most followers or a calendar full of sessions. That is the goal but my ultimate why is to glorify Jesus and make His name known. When I remind myself of my why I am proud of where my business is and where it is continuing to go!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As previously mentioned, I have always had a love for art. Growing up I loved art and I loved science but struggled to find a career that incorporated both until I discovered art therapy. My photography business is something that I love to do in my free time but my overall career goal is to become an art therapist! Art therapy is such a special field because it allows people to express their subconscious in an artistic way that they find enjoyable. It allows them to express the things they are often afraid to express and reflect and heal from it. By having an artistic background, I am able to help the clients gain insight into mediums they may not know about and point them in a direction that encourages creativity and vulnerability. So many people think they can’t do art, but that’s so far from true. Art is what you make it and is always up for interpretation. That is what makes it so special. You are able to see a piece of artwork or a photo and reflect on how it makes you feel, and that is something that is personal to you.
In terms of my photography business, I specialize in portraits and couples! Portraits and couple photography I love because it allows me to get to know my clients on a deeper level. I am able to learn what excites and motivates them and the things that make them who they are. Through a lens, I am able to see more than just a photo of a couple or person. I see their natural beauty and try my best to find ways to make them laugh and be themselves. Showing clients their photos, I love because it allows them to see their own beauty. We are in a world where there is so much darkness and negativity, that finding the light in things is sometimes hard to come by. I try and give some light by showing them how beautiful they are inside and out. The photos are able to capture that and be remembered in such a beautiful way! I also specialize in painting and drawing. Being so detailed oriented, I have incorporated that in my drawings and paintings to show realism and details that often tend to be overlooked but ultimately end up making the image what it is. This perspective has also allowed me to find the little details in my photography session.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I love this question! My favorite childhood memory was going to my grandparent’s house every summer. My grandparent’s house was a place where my brother and cousins were free to explore. My grandparents lived on a lot of land and had a small pond where we were able to fish. I always enjoyed going there because it was a place I felt safe and comfortable.
A place where my family could gather and have fun with simple things. My cousins and I came up with some of the craziest games to keep us busy, but looking back on it we have such good memories. It was something that was simple and sweet but brought so much joy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skylarmgphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylar.mgphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylar.mgphotography/
Image Credits
LNC Photography
