We had the good fortune of connecting with Meggin Tengberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Meggin, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Habits are everything aren’t they? They are hard to form and hard to break but when you’ve created great habits because of the way you were raised, they are just second nature and that’s the best kind of habit to have. My parents taught me from a very young age a couple things that have formed me into the person that I am. They taught me that you have to work hard for anything that matters in your life. Nothing is free and you have to go through the tough hard parts to earn the wonderful parts. My dad taught me to work smarter not harder. He has always said, “why wouldn’t you do something right the first time? It just takes more time and makes more work for you if you have to do it twice.” So I have always prided myself in doing things right from the beginning so that I could focus on the next important thing sooner. It has benefited me in my personal life as well as my professional life. My mom also taught me how important it is to be gracious to people and to always always say thank you. To some it may be a crux to wear your heart on your sleeve, but I pride myself in that. I have always said that I would rather go to the grave being an honest person that always tells the truth over someone that is disingenuine. My clients will always mean the world to me and I’ll always be honest with them because that is good business. They trust me and that is the utmost important thing!
Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
It’s hard to tell the world that your business is set apart from others. I honestly don’t think I could say that with 100% truth. I believe in my heart of hearts that who I am as a person definitely sets me apart. I don’t think many people will love their clients harder than me. I have always said that I am not in this business for the money, that I am here because I love LOVE! I love watching couples, families, new parents show their love for each other in front of the camera. It fills my soul bucket to be able to turn something fleeting into forever images that people can look back on and remember that feeling just by seeing how they are looking at each other. Have you ever looked at a photo of your now 12 year old child, they are cradled in your arms in the hospital and you immediately are taken back and the feeling you had in that moment is just right there? That is what I live for. I live to give people images that stop them in their tracks years down the road. I am still in a place of growth within myself and my business but I got to where I am today by the grace of God and my incredible husband that believed in me enough to allow me to quit the corporate world to pursue this beautiful dream. I want the world to know that only you will be able to tell what photographer you connect with, but be sure you aren’t just trying to get the best deal. Look for a photographer with a passion to create the memories you seek. And if you have to pay a little more for that, it’s most likely because they know what they’re doing and can deliver.
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?
I am a very simple person easy to please. I am more of an outdoorsy board game wine and coffee kind of gal. So if my best friend were in town I would probably book us an airbnb in Sedona for the weekend. I’d sign us up for a wine tour, a jeep tour, and a couple epic hikes. We would end each evening at the best pizza place and then in the hot tub with a bottle of wine reminiscing about days past and how different our lives are than when we were young. I find myself thinking about my younger days often. I think about how differently life could have been with just a single different decision. So when I think back on the things I would have wanted to change, I genuinely wouldn’t because I wouldn’t be where I am right now. The people in my life today are the cherry picked cream of the crop people. They are the people that know me and understand me and love me all the same. They would prefer to come over for a game night instead of a night out on the town. They love chatting over a cup of coffee or a bottle of wine while we laugh about what’s happening around us. I love and adore the people in my life.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh wow! This is a no-brainer for me. I give the biggest shout out there is to Katelyn James Photography. I have never been educated by someone more transparent, honest and loving as her and her husband. In this business it is difficult to find your tribe of people that you can love on and trust wholeheartedly. It is definitely a dog-eat-dog business. I have taken so many courses from this woman and have felt like she is my best friend through the computer screen every single time. I have dreams of us just hanging out like it’s no big thing and I always wake up thinking how much of a nerd I am because I’m such a fan of hers. She has a heart of gold and gives so much to fellow photographers wanting her kind of success! So KJ, thank you a million times over for helping me become more of who I want to be each and every day!
Website: www.tengbergstudio.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tengbergstudio
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tengbergstudio