Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Zubke.
Hi McKenna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been the person who was documenting everything. I started using my mom’s camera when I was around ten, and from there it just became part of how I moved through life. I wasn’t thinking in terms of careers or long-term plans, I just liked noticing things and holding onto moments. Photography felt intuitive long before it felt professional.
Over the years, my creativity took a few different paths through graphic design and interior design, which really shaped how I see color, composition, and space. Eventually, everything led me back to photography in a more intentional way, and 1828 Collective grew out of that naturally. Now, I get to photograph weddings for couples who care about being present and true to themselves, and I approach it the same way I always have: by paying attention, trusting my eye, and documenting things as they actually feel.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest turning points for me was losing my grandma. After she passed, I realized how few photos I had of her, and even fewer of us together. That kind of hits you like a gut punch and makes you think differently about what actually matters.
That experience completely shifted how I see photography. It made me care so much more about the moments between people, especially between couples and their loved ones on wedding days. I’m always paying attention to the hugs, the quiet check-ins, the people who mean the most standing just off to the side. Those are the moments that end up carrying the most weight years later, and that’s what I try to hold onto for people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a wedding photographer, but at the heart of it what I really do is document relationships. I specialize in storytelling-driven wedding photography that focuses on real moments: the way people interact, the emotion between couples and their loved ones, and everything that happens in between the big events of the day. My work is known for feeling natural, lived-in, and nostalgic rather than overly posed.
One thing that really matters to me is giving couples space to actually experience their wedding day. Even if it’s just five quiet minutes to step away, watch the sunset, and breathe it all in together. Wedding days, to me, are real and raw, not a photography production. I’m most proud of creating an environment where couples feel present, connected, and supported, knowing that those honest moments are being documented in a way they’ll be able to feel years later.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
If anyone deserves credit, it’s my mom. She’s been the kind of support that shows up in very practical, tangible ways. Any time I had an idea for a business or a creative project, her response was never “are you sure?” instead it was “okay, what do you need?” She’d take me to the craft store, help me track down classes to build my skills, and genuinely treat every idea like it was worth exploring.
That kind of support mattered more than she probably realizes. Having someone who believed in my curiosity and encouraged me to follow it gave me the confidence to experiment and trust myself creatively. She didn’t just cheer from the sidelines, she helped me build the foundation that made all of this possible.
Because of that, I’ve always been someone who throws myself headfirst into things, fueled by curiosity, passion for life, and the excitement of not knowing exactly how something will turn out but knowing it’ll be amazing. I’m comfortable starting before I have all the answers, trusting that I’ll figure it out along the way. That mindset has shaped both my work and the way I approach everything I build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1828collective.com
- Instagram: @1828collective
- Facebook: @1828collective
- Twitter: @1828collective
- Other: Tiktok @1828collective
