One thing that’s constant with photographer Megan DiPiero is change, at least as far as her hair is concerned.
“I’m trying to settle down, because it gets challenging with my marketing,” she says with a laugh. “But hair is one of my things. It’s fun. I guess it’s my artist personality.”
As a teenager in New Jersey, the budding photographer worked on her high school yearbook and in college would develop a roll of film every week. She loved photography as a hobby, and it became especially apparent after she had children.
Andi Diamond Photography
Megan DiPiero
Looking back, she says, “The digital camera era happened about the time my kids were 2 and 4. I took a million pictures and I got really good really fast.”
Then social media erupted, and when she posted photos of her family, friends began asking if she could photograph theirs.
After a year of taking photos with no fee structure or business plan, she remembers thinking, “This isn’t working. I have to be professional, and to do that I have to set my rates and know my value.”
Jumping in with both feet, she began studying business, attending photography conventions and working with mentors.
“I would spend all day every day learning and learning,” she says.
She joined a group of local photographers who explored architecture. During a shoot in downtown Fort Myers, Megan says with a chuckle, “I went into every store and got people to come out in front of the buildings. Unless a person was in there, I had no interest in it.”
That’s when she knew she was meant to photograph people rather than places.
“I never expected I’d do headshots,” she says witha laugh.
Now they are her specialty.
“One reason I love headshots so much is they help make a difference and can lift someone’s business,” she says. “It’s also rewarding for me when they see how beautiful they are. Many people don’t believe they can project what they want to, or who they really are.”
To help capture the spirit of a person she photographs, Megan has a “process.” Clients receive an in-home style and concept consultation. In the beginning of her career, she says, “People would cancel shoots because they weren’t prepared and were insecure.” Now she helps clients prepare by choosing multiple outfits that will look good on camera while complementing their skin tone and body.
Hair and makeup is included the day of the shoot.
“I pose everything. It’s all directed. Clients don’t have to worry about anything from their toes to their eyelashes, so they can get out of their head,” she says.
And when they change out of their first outfit, Megan says excitedly, “Something magical happens. It’s like they shed their remaining worries and have a sense you will take care of them. Every outfit gets better, more creative. Photography demands a person be in a position of comfort.”
Not only have Southwest Floridians taken notice of her skills, but her colleagues have, too. She’s won numerous accolades, including a prestigious International Photographic Competition Grand Imaging Award nomination.
“It’s like the Academy Awards for photography,”she says.
Her latest accomplishment is the Photographic Craftsman, given not just for skills behind the camera but also, she explains, “To honor people moving the industry forward through education and mentoring. It’s only given to 1 percent of photographers in the country.”
Mentoring is extremely important to Megan, who has an online group 10,000 members strong. A businesswoman with boundless energy, she also travels extensively, speaking at industry conventions.
“Photography is an awesome job, but how are you going to feed your family with it?” she asks. “There are so many incredibly talented artists with no business skills. My calling is to help them step into it and be ready to create meaningful incomes.”
As far as taking pictures of her children today, Megan hires a colleague for family shoots.
“My kids grew up with a camera in their face,” she explains. “They won’t fall in line for me, but they will for another professional.”
She doesn’t even take pictures on vacation.
“I try to only use the camera when I’m with a client, so it won’t take away from my personal family time,” she says. “I want to be engaged and present, not thinking about light and composition.”
And for all those people who do document everything and who may fancy themselves as photographers because they know how to use filters and phone apps, Megan says, “It makes me happy. I see everyone as colleagues not competition. It’s like the rising tides lift all ships. The more people are aware of photography the better it gets.”