Hidden Gems: Meet Mina von Feilitzsch of Mina von Feilitzsch Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mina von Feilitzsch. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 

I first worked as a photographer in college, photographing a little bit of everything the university needed photos of – from award ceremonies and graduations to football games, concerts, student life, and portraits. My boss, Dan Addison, was an amazing mentor. He taught me so much about photography from a creative and a commercial perspective and ensured I had a chance to experience documenting so many disparate styles of events. At the same time, I was fortunate to have the most incredible photography professors, Bill Wylie and Pam Pecchio, whose artistry, insight, and critique completely shaped how I see light, color, and composition. I was lucky to have such incredible photographers in my life. Yet, I hadn’t even considered a career in photography, I was studying to become a clinical psychologist and working at a crisis helpline – it was such a deeply human experience to learn so much about humanity and psychology while having the chance to reach out and be a calming and helpful presence for people who needed it. But my life felt divided into creativity on one side, and human connection on the other. In wedding photography, I found perfect harmony. I connect deeply with my couples and their families and am so honored to be there to document something so essential and emotional while being a calming and helpful presence who can keep the day flowing gently and everyone feeling happy, beautiful, and supported. There is a special beauty to witnessing and recording such profound human joy…the tears of a parent seeing their child – who they remember holding for the very first time, watching them grow, seeing them become the human they are – take such an amazing journey with their beloved…. the ‘head-thrown-back-giddy-laughing’ as newlyweds spin about a dancefloor together…. grandparents holding onto their grandchildren long after the family portrait has been taken. It’s so human and so beautiful, and to capture it all with an eye to light, composition, creativity, and storytelling is pure magic. In wedding photography, and with all the amazing couples I’ve had the honor to work with, I’ve found the best job in the world for me. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? 

It’s been a road for sure, some parts are smoother than others. My first few years in business were hard, I was just out of college, and terrified of failing as a freelancer. I was making very little money and felt like there was no way through. It took me a few years to find my legs, find my community, and realize that – as with all things in life – it’s better when you don’t go it alone. Since moving to Raleigh, I have found such an incredible community of wedding vendor friends, from planners to other photographers to makeup artists, stylists, caterers, venues, and florists. To know all these wonderful people both in business and in friendship has made the road infinitely smoother to walk along. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business? 

Mina von Feilitzsch Photography is a fine art wedding photography studio located in Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and serving local as well as destination weddings. We are hybrid photographers, shooting both film and digital, and specialize in fine art photography with a joyful soul, which is to say, every photograph is composed with an eye to light, color, composition, and storytelling, while always in service of capturing all that is human, joyful, real, and beautiful about each couple. Couple’s portraits become a joyful stroll arm in arm, family portraits are relaxing and fun, and every little detail is captured without the flow of the day ever being interrupted. We’re very proud of our dedication to craft and experience. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk? 

I’ve been fortunate to have the support of community and family along my journey, and while I never felt unmoored or completely alone, jumping into an unpredictable life as a freelancer after college was terrifying. In the early days I invested in improving my camera equipment before I was at all confident, I could earn back the money to cover those costs (it worked out) and have since invested regularly in my continued education as a photographer and a business owner. Each big step feels scary (not a natural risk-taker, if you couldn’t tell!), but it’s almost always worth it. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.mina.photography
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/minavonfphoto

Image Credits
Michelle Mock Photography
Mina von Feilitzsch Photography