Life & Work with Morgan Jergens of Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Jergens

Hi Morgan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I actually came up in technical theatre. I spent nearly a decade working shows before studying Theatre Design/Technology at Wright State in Dayton, OH. I almost ended up in Nashville then. For a long time, I was a Stage Manager, and I loved every part of it — being in the room where it all happened, arriving first to rehearsals, staying last, being part of those late-night production meetings. Watching a show come to life each day was like watching magic, and I couldn’t imagine a better job.

Storytelling was my obsession as a kid. I was always reading, dreaming up stories, even making fake production budgets and pre-production paperwork for imaginary projects. While I studied theatre, I started getting involved in local short films and house shows, just dabbling, but something clicked. I was drawn to creating something bigger than myself, something that could make a difference — and art was the only way I knew how.

When 2020 hit, live theatre shut down, and my plans to move to NYC went with it. So I took a chance on Nashville. I’d been visiting my sister here and felt this sense of community I wasn’t expecting. It was this comforting mix of home and big-city opportunity.

In a new city where I knew almost no one, I turned to my camera. I loved the way a single frame could tell a story, capture a moment, and even offer a new way of seeing things. As the world started to open back up, I was shooting live shows again, jumping on music video sets, doing anything I could. I was shooting behind-the-scenes content, got my hands dirty as an Art Director, and even got behind the camera as an operator. I love to capture the quiet unseen moments, the things people miss in the rush of a shoot day.

Since then, I’ve had the gift of working with some truly incredible artists and filmmakers. I’m beyond grateful for every moment of it.

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?
Absolutely not. No way.

I remember the first years, frozen by fear. Photography felt so sacred that even touching my own camera felt like trespassing — almost an offense to those who truly knew what they were doing. Looking back, it’s kind of funny. I would never want someone else to feel that weight. I really believe the best work comes from letting go, having fun, and not taking yourself too seriously. And yeah, I had major imposter syndrome.

Then around October 2022, this other photographer here in town, Meg McCauley, noticed some artist portraits I’d posted. She saw something in me that I just couldn’t. We met for coffee, and we talked about everything — from growing up in small towns to the philosophy of creating art. It shifted something in me; I walked away changed. Since then, she’s been a beloved friend and a huge inspiration, and I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today without her.

So yeah, there are going to be rough patches. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that having people you trust beside you changes everything.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer, filmmaker, and art director. Lately, I’ve been pouring myself into creating vertical content for artists that goes beyond a quick phone setup and lip-syncing. I think there’s value in that too, but for me, it’s about telling a story. I want everything—the art direction, the wardrobe—to contribute to this little visual world. My videos, they feel like tiny music videos, almost.

This year has been wild in the best way. Honestly, 2023 felt like one massive year of change, growth, and discovery. This year, I kicked things off on tour with Marielle Kraft, an absolutely incredible artist and human. It was one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences I’ve had to date. Right after tour, I got to jump on as Director of Photography for a short film called Love, Mike. I’d fallen in love with this story when I saw it on stage seven years ago, and being asked to help bring it to life on screen? Unreal. Since then, I’ve been wrapped up in portrait shoots, live shows, music videos, and more vertical content.

Some other highlights?
Art directing with two of my favorite directors, Emma Kate Golden and Bella Mazzola. Shooting my first red carpet with Cheyenna, an incredible writer and artist—it was one of those dream-come-true moments.

Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better year. Getting to make art with friends? There’s nothing like it.

What sets me apart? That’s the beautiful thing about this work—our backgrounds and experiences shape us in different ways, and it shows up in everything we make. My approach is always to get down to the heart of who someone is. How do I tell their story, really tell it, with the tools I have? It’s vulnerable being in front of a camera, and I get that. I like to keep it real, talk before and throughout the shoot. I don’t want anything to feel staged. When everyone’s comfortable, when we’re all laughing and in it together, that’s when we make something special—not just because the shots are great, but because we loved the process, too.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is honesty and integrity. I think that’s at the heart of everything meaningful — being unflinchingly truthful with yourself and the world around you. I want to be someone people know they can count on. I want to show up for people in a way that feels solid and true, where you know that I’m being real. Honesty, reliability, vulnerability… to me, those aren’t just qualities; they’re commitments. They’re promises I want to keep, and if I fall short, I want to be held accountable so I can keep growing into someone better.

In my mind, honesty and vulnerability are gifts we give through our art, and they’re what make connection possible. I believe that by showing up fully and being raw and real, maybe we can actually make a difference, one person at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.morganjergens.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganjergens/

Image Credits

Meg McCauley (Featured Photo)