Conversations with Mckenna Zienert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mckenna Zienert

Hi McKenna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think my story starts when I didn’t get into the high school I wanted to. I applied to a community college and was going to go into a higher level of education but since it was a lottery, I didn’t get picked. So instead I went to a unique school called FlexTech. This was a project based high school that allowed me to embrace my creativity. My teachers there encouraged me to do what I love, this included pursuing photography and marketing after my graduation. During school they allowed me to open up a makeshift coffee bar, explore more untraditional schooling and compete in a youth entrepreneurs competition that I was able to win. After I graduated I decided not to college. I had plans but covid hit so I felt stuck. I still worked the same job since I was 15 so I was able to be creative there since it was an art gallery. I finally figured out what I wanted to do as a career and signed up for a MSU Digital Marketing Bootcamp which I was able to graduate with various certifications. After I graduated from MSU I found a job as a social media manager at a Cycle studio and Vegan cafe. It was such a cool experience and I learned new types of photography. I realized this was the field I wanted to pursue. I got married in 2023 and shortly after I found my dream job at Made in Metro where I’m able to participate in building brands social media presence.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always. I struggled with figuring out what I wanted to pursue and this would lead to a lot of frustration. It was also difficult when I decided to work to graduate a year early and it ended up being during Covid. So the “Gap Year” I wanted to take to travel the world and spend more time finding my path, didn’t work out for me. I also struggled leaving my art gallery job that I worked at since I was 15. They became family and taught me so much about the creative world and the struggles of it.

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?
At my core, I am a photographer. I’m forever trying to pursue this and educate myself more about different types of photography. I want to build this brand and eventually do photography as my career. Right now I specialize in Social Media Management. Which has been such a fun experience. I’m able to learn more about building brands now then ever before. All the million different details it takes to grow a brand. I’m so proud of my ambition and determination. If I’m going to start a project, I’ll finish it and try to make it the best it can be.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I think being creative is so important. I’ve had jobs before that I wasn’t able to be creative in and it’s no fun. I love seeing people express their creativity in different ways, in ways I can’t. It’s so inspiring hearing peoples stories and seeing how creative they can be. Creativity is so important in this world. It’s a way to express ourselves and I think everyone needs a creative outlet.

Pricing:

• Senior Photos $350/1.5 hours
• Family Photos $350/1.5 hours
• Brand/Company Photography $400/hr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://indiefuego.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiefuego/