Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Grevas.
Hi Mary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, creativity was always my love language. I was the kid who was seen drawing on napkins at family dinners or trying to sneak funny photos of my grandparents when they weren’t looking. I would literally beg for the camcorder so I could be the one behind the camera, directing and filming our home videos. Photos and videos were always encouraged in our household. All those small, everyday moments were captured constantly, something that almost mattered to my parents more than anything “staged” or “posed.” (I can’t tell you how many crying, goofy, candid photos we still have in my parents house!) Looking back, I think that’s where it all began: this desire to hold on to time and tell stories through images and videos.
College gave me the space to not only sharpen my skills in photography, but it deepened my passion for the arts in general. I graduated in 2021 from the University of Iowa with a degree in Art and a focus on photography. I was able to take more classes that I loved like painting and graphic design, classes that have helped me hone in on my artistic style and what feels like me. My love for visual storytelling only magnified when I had the space to try new formats of creativity.
After graduation, I decided to move back home and began working at my dad’s coffee shop–a place that had been a steady part of my life for years. I’ll be honest, it was a hard time trying to figure out what I wanted to do next with my life. It was a long summer filled with dreams and long nights of prayer, asking God what was next for me. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and like so many other small businesses, our family shop of 28 years was forced to close its doors. A bittersweet loss for our family and the community, but with my dad happily heading into retirement, I felt like it was finally time to branch out somewhere new. That chapter closing pushed me to take a leap of faith I’ve been quietly considering: Moving to good ol’ Nashville, Tennessee. Did I have a concrete plan? Absolutely not. With only ever visiting once, I packed up and relocated to the Volunteer State with no job, no apartment, and starting over finding a community. All I knew was I had to go, supposed to even. Something was drawing me here and I felt God’s hand written all over this next part of my story.
As a Christian, my faith is the foundation of everything I do– personally and professionally. It shapes the way I create, how I serve others, and the way I run my business. Photography is just one of the many outlets in which I can steward my creative talents to ultimately serve Him as well as the community. I strive to reflect that in every shoot, every edit, and every interaction. With each small photography gig, each connection, and each open door, I began to see God’s plan for me here in Tennessee.
The journey for me hasn’t alway been linear, I won’t sugar-coat that. What I will say is this – every roadblock, every mountain, has turned out to be such a blessing, even when it does not seem like it at the time. Life has brought its share of hardships, but it has also been rich with grace, marked by growth, and guided every step of the way by a faithful God. Recognizing that even the smallest of ideas can be used to impact others has been a game changer for me. What started as a childhood fascination and then a college passion, has grown into a business rooted in faith, heart, and creativity. And I’m just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part that I did not expect was the quiet, internal struggle I was battling. The constant comparison and the pressure to fit a certain mold definitely got to me (and sometimes still does.) Seeing other creatives with perfectly branded feeds on social media, traveling the world and seemingly having all the answers had me wondering, Is what I’m doing even good? For a while, that mindset slowly chipped away at my joy and authenticity.
God did not call us to be like everyone else. He calls us to be faithful. The more I turned my focus from the noise of the industry to His voice, the more I understood that my value is not found in algorithms or aesthetics, but in obedience. I would encourage anyone reading to know that comparison is truly the thief of joy. Your gifts and talents are not meant to copy someone else, but to carve your own path and story. We are already loved, already chosen, and already enough, so be yourself! While I am still learning to create from a place of reverence, I know my identity is not measured by worldly success, but more for being a vessel for something much greater and eternal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work spans from a wide range of subjects – from portraits and weddings to brand and lifestyle sessions. Lately, I’ve been leaning into music photography, capturing artists in their element or collabing on creative projects with them. Living in a city so full of talent and passion has given me the space to tell stories through raw and honest imagery. I’ve had the pleasure to work with Anthony Wolfe and the team over at Undiscovered Nashville by highlighting the importance of supporting live and local music through photography. He has been such a great friend and support system in this industry.
What sets me apart, I think, is that I’m not chasing perfection, I’m chasing presence. I want my images to feel like a moment you can step back into, and more than that, I want my clients to walk away feeling valued and filled with joy from every one of our interactions. In a world so fast-paced and curated, I try to bring presence and authenticity to every session. I’m most proud of these relationships and the way this work has become more than just a business, it is a ministry of sorts. One that allows me to steward people’s stories with both care and creativity.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is real, honest connection with people. The laughter after a candid shot, the hug at the end of a session, the trust someone gives me to tell a piece of their story – that’s what fills me up. Those in-between moments are what many of us in the industry love the most, knowing we’re creating something meaningful. God is using my creativity to connect with people in ways that I never imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marygrevasstudio.com
- Instagram: @marygrevas_studio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryGrevasStudio
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@marygrevas.studio
