Today we’d like to introduce you to Montgomery Malone
Hi Montgomery, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Malone Video and Photography began in 2021. I was working at a local newspaper here in Oklahoma as a journalist, but like any small town business, you have multiple roles to fill in the gaps, so I also took over as a sports writer/photographer. This is where I really found my passion for photography. I’ve always surrounded myself with cameras and video and really enjoyed being creative as a kid, but the newspaper taught me how to be a photographer/ videographer. The experience made me brave enough to start my own business and sell the photos we didn’t use for the paper on the side. My publisher was kind enough to let me do that. After leaving the paper, it opened up a world of new opportunities for me as a photographer, I had so much more time on my hands and I really felt like this was the turning point for Malone Video and Photography. Since then I have gained a growing audience on my social media platforms and I look to really push the needle on my platforms in 2025. This has allowed me to travel around and visit beautiful places like Nashville and hopefully come back for more work. I am so excited to get out, see and do more with my photography and I can’t wait for what the future holds!
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?
This has not at all been a smooth road, I have always had trouble with growing my business as fast as possible, working in a super competitive market, and finding a style that best suits me. I always wanted this business to grow fast so I can do what I love full time, but good things never come easy and they certainly don’t happen fast. Of course everyone’s journey is different, but mine has been anything but easy. I used to really struggle with the fact that there are so many photographers and the thought that my work might not have been as good as theirs. I have since learned to embrace the other photographers in my area and encourage them. Customers will pick a style they like and go with it, or they will go with someone they know. For me, I had to learn to stick with my style and just let things happen. I had to stop comparing my work and continue to do what I do best. I am probably not the only photographer who has done this, but I changed my style so many times. I honestly just told myself, I had to stick with something. I really struggled with picking a style and changing it 1-2 weeks later. I’m not sure if any customers noticed, but I was very inconsistent and indecisive about what I wanted to do. So in a very Nashville way, I created a style based off the music I listen to. I mixed a little country vibe, with an indie pop vibe, and topped it off with a nostalgic feel to create a style I truly love and something I will not soon be changing. It took way too long to pick out a style I fell in love with, but it was worth the wait. I truly feel like my style and Nashville go great together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Photography and Videography are my specialties. I’ve tried to get experience in everything so I can choose what interests me most. I love doing senior portraits, and outside of sports, that’s what I’ve taken pictures of the most. I also do weddings, modeling shoots, couples shoots, product photo/video, and events! I also like street photography and nature landscapes and I have a big announcement coming up for my personal work! I try to stick with jobs that I really love to do. My work is better and customers are happier when I’m invested in the type of shoots I do. I think the work I’m most proud of, are the spontaneous shoots, where we are just a little unorganized and very experimental. These shots always turn out the best! I used to really try and play by the rules as a photographer, but I quickly learned my style is my style. The rules are there to follow if needed, but I personally don’t think they are always needed. Sometimes a little blur can be interesting and appealing, sometimes a weird angle works. What sets me apart is the creativity I look for in my shots and my knack for bending the rules from time to time. I just want to be the best the photographer I can be and learn along the way. I only know what I know and all I can do is continue to give my best effort. I really am excited about the future of Malone Video and Photography and I can’t wait to be back in Nashville for more work.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love watching photography/videography videos and keeping up with the latest technology. I also listen to music and scroll through social media from time to time. The FujiLove Magazine podcast is really good and keeps me informed on all things within the brand I use. Other than that, I love looking at other people’s work and continuing to improve my own and add to my catalog!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malonevideoandphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malonevideoandphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malonevideophotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaloneVideoandPhotography
Image Credits
Montgomery Malone/ Malone Video and Photography
