Maggie Rechkemmer - TAP Photographer Profile

IG Tag: @maggie.rechkemmer       Website: maggierechkemmer.com

Where you’re based?  

Moline, IL

What camera gear do you use?

Fujifilm XT-5, 23mm lens, Fujifilm X100V, Fujifilm Instax Wide, Canon 514XL for Super 8 and a Canon AE-1.

How long have you been shooting?

10 years (7 full time-ish while also being a stay at home mom).

What inspired you to shoot professionally?

I have a love for art and people. I have been drawing and creating as long as I can remember. I always wanted to be my own boss so this was a perfect fit.

What is your favorite place to photograph?

Any place special to the client/family. 

What place would you love to shoot but haven’t had a chance yet?

I really don’t have one! I love quirky locations or locations that are challenging. I feel like when I’m put in a box I really push my creative limits beyond what I normally would. A lot of my favorite sessions were the ones where things went completely unplanned. 

What do you look for in a session?   

When shooting families I’m always looking for genuine connections and their true personalities. I like interesting and varied light and love having an activity they enjoy together or a place that is special to them. My favorite is when I have blue skies, white puffy clouds and a mid afternoon or mid morning sun. 

What is your Archetype and why? 

I use both the Green and Yellow Packs, but Pro800z Normal Frontier is my current favorite.

What are some of your editing techniques or tips and tricks?

I am the most basic editor you may ever meet. I try to shoot straight out of camera as close as possible to how I want the image to look like so my editing is applying a profile then doing minor adjustments in the panel. Early in my photography career someone showed me how to sync editing in Lightroom for similar sets of images and that was a game changer for speeding up my workflow. I also love using the intensity slider for different vibes but still keeping the same tones and consistency in the gallery.

What are some of your biggest challenges in running your business?

I’m a enneagram 3w4 (creative overachiever) so I have to be realistic with my goals! I really enjoy all aspects of photography and owning my own business. I feel very thankful I get to have this as my career but also have to set boundaries for myself. I can’t do it all.

Who are your creative influences?

I’m currently inspired by any family work from the 90s and earlier that is not professional work. I love how casual and nostalgic the images feel and knowing a loved one took it of them just feels extra special.

What are some mistakes that helped you to grow as a photographer?

When I niched down to shooting families I really pushed specific types of clothes, colors, golden hour, always shooting in a field, etc and realized that never felt true to who I am and what I wanted to create - or the family. Every year I lose more and more of the preconceived notion of what a family session is supposed to look like and embrace the family for who they are.

What inspires you to stay creative?

No two family sessions are the same. I’m very inspired by the family unit and how different we all fit together but it somehow is perfect for each family. Kids are wild cards. I never really know how it’s going to go and having to just go with the flow forces me to get creative in a lot of situations.

What goals do you hope to achieve this year?

To feel more comfortable with film so I can offer full film sessions! I drool over so many photographers all film work and really want to take the plunge in 2025!

Is there anything you’d like to share about the creative process or editing that you feel would be helpful?

I don’t think my families need to be perfect for their session (attitudes, clothes, hair in place, weather, etc) so I don’t expect perfection and rule following for my images. If I miss focus, have an off the wall composition, or extra noise, but it still speaks to me and conveys part of the story, it’s a keeper.

What is something you would have loved to have learned from another photographer early in your career?

Don’t chase what anyone else is doing or you’ll never be satisfied. Shoot, edit, and create with what speaks to you and your clients will find you.