Meet Morgan Worsham: Photographer and art gallery coordinator

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

Hi Morgan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For my entire life I have always had the urge to create. As a child and into my teenage years I had the need to create, whether that be baking, coloring, taking photos, doodling, etc. Having an outlet and being able to make something where there was nothing before was very therapeutic for me. After going to college for photography and getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree I learned so many skills and artistic processes that I knew I needed a career in creativity to utilize all of the skills I learned. I also work for the art department where I got my degree and am in charge of their art galleries, so I get to be surrounded by art, inspiration, and creativity daily. Having a creative career that also brings joy to other people is beyond a dream for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Building a career and a brand for a business is such a daunting task. When you are building your brand story and creating a small business you are essentially selling yourself and your personality, so when it seems like people aren’t responding to that it can be hurtful. For years I struggled with comparison and wondering why I wasn’t where someone else was, but the difference wasn’t my skill level or lack of talent, it was my self worth. I did not view myself as a “professional” for far too long, even once I had a degree from focusing on nothing but my photo skills for 4 and a half years, I still had doubts in myself! Once I started valuing myself and my time as a professional I started seeing the clients that I wanted come to me instead of chasing clients that didn’t see my worth or appreciate what I do. I began adding elements into my client experiences that I knew I would appreciate from a photographer, and I show my clients how much they mean to mean. As cheesy as it sounds, being yourself is the best way to succeed. Don’t try to look at trendy photographers (or whatever your field may be) and copy them, because you aren’t them, so it will not translate into success like you hope it will. Be yourself, focus on creating the best experience you can for your clients, and you will find success!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was spending a week in Atlanta with some of my friends we would absolutely go to Ponce city Market and have coffee at the Dancing Goats coffee shop first thing! Working in a gallery space and being an artist we also would HAVE to go to the High Museum of Art! It is a little ways away, but we would have to drive to Smyrna one afternoon for a Turkey Burger from US Cafe. If they are of age, Scofflaw Brewery is also a must! The atmosphere is as unique as their drink selections. Another must is Twin Smoker’s BBQ! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The biggest shoutout that I could give is to my parents! I started my love of photography with a little Kodak easy share point and shoot camera when I was 13, for my 15th birthday my dad got me a used DSLR (Canon 20D) and I shot my first wedding (not knowing a thing haha.) My mom encouraged me to take some of my photos to display in a local coffee shop at 16, looking back they were not great, but her faith in me meant everything! Fast forward to college…I had an academic scholarship and felt the need to do something “practical” so I planned to major in business and minor in photo, even though photo was all I wanted to do. On the day of orientation my mother and I sat in the School of Business presentation and she leans over to me and whispers “you’re going to hate this, do you want to leave and go to the art one?” I was so excited, we left and I changed my major to Art and never looked back! She told me I had earned my scholarship and I could choose what I wanted to do with it, and it was the best choice I ever made. I am now 26 and I would not be where I am today without the support of my parents.

Website: https://www.themorganleephotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_morganleephotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morgan.lee.photos

Image Credits
The portrait of me: Bang Images https://bangimages.com/