Who I Am: Behind the Scenes of MEWPHOTOVIDEO 🎬

Hey there! I’m Morgan — artist, photographer, and the creative force behind MEWPHOTOVIDEO.
In the summer of 2021, I packed up my life in Northern California and moved to the creative hub of Portland, Oregon, which I now proudly call home. But this chapter really started back in late 2020, during the pandemic, when I felt an undeniable energy (what I to call, a lightning bolt ⚡️) to finally start a photography business — and I haven’t looked back since.
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Before I Was a Photographer 🥁
Creativity has always been at the core of who I am. I grew up obsessed with music, writing poetry, making videos, and of course, snapping photos.

The Early Years
I was a band nerd from fifth grade all the way through senior year, playing percussion and marching on the drumline. Reading music, performing live, and connecting with an audience shaped me deeply.
I spent countless hours alone in my room singing, playing instruments, and writing — even if I couldn’t join choir because it always conflicted with band. Some of my earliest brave moments included singing the national anthem with two of my best friends at my middle school graduation and landing a solo in Bye Bye Birdie during my junior year. Even when it terrified me, I kept putting myself out there, and magical things always happened.
The Big Move 🌊 👉🌲
Halfway through high school, my family moved from central coast California to Boise, Idaho. As a 16-year-old, I hated it — but looking back, it pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. It forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to adapt, connect, and create community from scratch.
One unexpected gift was my new school offered photography and video production classes. I was already the kid constantly photographing flowers and friends and making silly home movies. But these classes took my love for visual storytelling to the next level, inspiring me to explore professional paths in audio, film, and photography.
Being an Independent Music Artist ⚡️🎶
My story wouldn’t be complete without talking about music.

After graduating high school, my family moved back to California. I eventually landed in Sacramento, where I spent most of my twenties — growing creatively, spiritually, emotionally, and professionally.

During that time, I was taking music business classes for my Arts degree and felt an intense magnetism to start songwriting. Soon after writing I began performing at open mics around town, and then started releasing music as a solo artist under the name Morgalily (you can still find my music on Spotify and all the major platforms!). Songwriting came to me like another lightning bolt ⚡️ during college. It helped me deepen my creative expression and taught me how to share my soul through art — lessons that continue to shape my photography today.

While pursuing music, I also freelanced as a portrait photographer (including shooting real estate), honing my eye, and building my creative toolkit.
A Life-Changing Journey Abroad ⚡️🌏
At 25, I felt a deep longing for more — more purpose, more self-discovery, more life. So, I quit everything: my job, my apartment, even returned my new Mazda 3 and sold most of my belongings (including my camera gear). With two of my best friends and my brother, we set out to travel abroad for four months.

The experience was beyond words — life-changing, eye-opening, challenging, and deeply healing. We learned to navigate unexpected hurdles (often in places where we didn’t speak the language), adapt on the fly, and lean into discomfort. By the time I returned to the U.S., I wasn’t the same person. I came back with a renewed sense of self and a fresh perspective on what I wanted from life.


The Leap into Photography ⚡️📸
Back home, I started working again at a Japanese restaurant and kept creating music, though my spark as a writer felt dim. In my journey to find myself, I lost my voice for songwriting. I focused on paying off debt and living independently for the first time — big goals that taught me discipline and self-trust.
Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit. Like so many others in the service and creative industries, I found myself suddenly without work. While challenging, that pause gave me the space to reflect and reconnect with my biggest dreams.
It became clear in another lightning bolt ⚡️ moment: I wanted to build my own photography business.

I saved up, invested in new gear, and took the leap. That first year, I booked just five shoots. Small beginnings, but powerful ones. Midway through that year, I moved from California to Oregon — starting over once again. Every challenge taught me resilience and creativity, two pillars of what MEWPHOTOVIDEO is today.
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MEWPHOTOVIDEO: The Brand ❤️🔥

MEWPHOTOVIDEO is bold, colorful, and unapologetically artistic.
We believe in taking risks, following our passions, and creating spaces where our clients feel confident and seen. We’re here to inspire you to make cool art and live an even cooler life.
We’re allergic to mediocrity and obsessed with eye-catching visuals. Most importantly, we love working with creatives and brands that want more — more impact, more self-expression, more joy. If you’re someone who invests in yourself and chooses the passionate, purpose-driven path, we’re probably going to get along great.
MEWPHOTOVIDEO: The Aesthetic 🔥
My portrait + brand photography work is bold, dynamic, and bursting with personality — often described as edgy, modern, colorful, punchy, and expressive.

I’m endlessly inspired by light, color, fashion, pop culture, music, movies, nature, and architecture. I love bringing movement and storytelling into each image, creating photos that truly feel like you.
Creative Direction: Beyond Just Photos 🎨
At MEWPHOTOVIDEO, I don’t just show up with a camera. I guide the entire creative journey, including:
- Concept & creative direction
- Pre-production planning
- Location scouting
- Wardrobe styling & set design
- Crafting mood boards & pitch decks
- Cinematic lighting design
- Artistic editing
- Creative filmmaking & videography
- Brand storytelling & content creation
I’m obsessed with making sure each client feels like the main character in their own story — confident, empowered, and completely themselves.
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Final Thoughts 💫
My past has shaped me and my artistry, but the future lights me up. I’m endlessly curious, always learning, and forever refining my craft to give my clients the best possible experience.
I feel so grateful to do this work and to collaborate with other dreamers, doers, and creatives. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me — I can’t wait to see what we create together next.
Chat soon!
xx, Morgan
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