Meet Makenzie
*
Meet Makenzie *
An Artist Before Anything Else
Photography isn’t just something I do—it’s how I see the world. Before anything else, I am an artist. I studied fine art photography, earned a BFA, and built my career on the belief that we don’t have to be one thing. We are layered, complex, and ever-evolving—just like the landscapes and people I photograph.
This is why my work doesn’t fit inside a traditional box. I document both the world we live in and the love we create within it. Whether it’s the grand, untamed landscapes of Alaska and Arizona or the quiet, intimate moments between two people, my work is about capturing what’s real, raw, and meaningful.
Art, Love, & Breaking The Rules
People will tell you to pick a niche, stay in your lane, and do one thing well. But I believe creativity is meant to be expansive.
That’s why my work is a blend—portraits, landscapes, and the in-between moments that tie them together. I refuse to choose because, for me, photography is about capturing everything we love about being alive. And I think if you’re here, you probably feel the same way.
The Story That Led Me Here
I’ve always been drawn to the wild. The kind of freedom that makes you feel small in the best way. The untouched landscapes, the unpredictable moments, the beauty of choosing your own path.
That’s what first pulled me toward Alaska—a place I was deeply inspired to explore after being introduced to the book “Into The Wild” when I was a teenager. The story changed the way I saw life, and I even have a little 142 tattoo as a reminder that we are meant to live boldly, freely, and without limits.
What I didn’t know then was that Alaska would change my life in ways I never expected—it’s where I met the love of my life. Meeting Max felt like fate, like the universe confirming that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Now, as we plan our own micro wedding, we’re doing it in a way that truly reflects us—with intention, with love at the center, and without the weight of anyone else’s expectations.
Max is my biggest supporter, the person who reminds me to pursue my art with full force and never limit myself. He sees all the ways I am multifaceted and encourages me to lean into them. Given that he’s in the service, our life will look very different—moving often, embracing change, and never truly settling in one place. But I believe in accepting change and adapting, and I’m incredibly lucky to have a career that fills me with meaning and joy no matter where we are.
Photography, at its core, is about connection—to people, to nature, to the emotions that make us human. That connection is what drives me, whether I’m photographing a vast, untamed landscape or an intimate moment between two souls.
When I create fine art, I love talking to people about the landscapes I photograph—sharing my process, explaining what I see, and marveling in the beauty of it all together. That shared experience is what truly connects us. And that’s why my work blends so seamlessly:
Am I really photographing two different things? People and landscapes? Or are they actually one and the same?
We are reflected in nature. The lines on our hands mimic the cracks in the desert floor. Our veins flow like rivers. The texture of our skin echoes canyon walls, snow-capped peaks, and the curves of ancient trees. We are nature. So when I photograph people—whether it's a couple deeply in love, a mother welcoming new life, or someone simply existing in their element—it's not separate from the way I see the world. It’s all interconnected.
My work is about documenting life as it is lived—whether that’s through a wedding, a landscape frozen in time, or the quiet in-between moments that make us who we are.
If You’re Like Me, You…
Love art that makes you feel something
Think life is best spent outdoors, breathing fresh air and chasing golden light
Want a wedding (or a piece of art) that actually reflects you—not trends, not expectations
Believe in breaking the mold and doing things your own way
Feel like the best moments in life are the imperfect, messy, real ones
Rooted In The Wild ||
Alaska ||
Arizona ||
Rooted In The Wild || Alaska || Arizona ||
I was raised in Arizona, where the vast desert landscapes shaped my artistic eye. The sun-drenched canyons, the deep rust tones of red rock, and the endless sky made me fall in love with the grand, untamed beauty of the world. Now, in Alaska, I find myself immersed in an entirely different kind of wilderness—the towering peaks, the icy blues of glaciers, the way the northern lights dance across the sky. These two places, so different yet both so raw and powerful, have defined my work.
My photography is deeply influenced by these environments, whether it’s the heat of the desert or the chill of the Arctic air. This contrast is what makes my art whole. The Southwest and the Last Frontier may be thousands of miles apart, but they both hold a magnetic pull—something I try to capture in every frame.
If you're drawn to the wild, to the places that have left a mark on your soul, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking for art to bring that feeling into your home or want your own story documented in a way that feels just as untamed and true, let’s create something meaningful together. Explore my print shop or reach out for a portrait session—let’s make something unforgettable.