Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandee Logsdon.
Hi Mandee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised in a pretty strict household; very rigid views and success pre-defined as making money, getting married, climbing the corporate ladder. That served me during childhood because it wasn’t hard to label myself “successful” coming from the privilege of a white, capitalist, middle-class family, but as I got older this construct started to deteriorate. I found myself questioning everything I had ever been taught about who I am, how I was raised and how I experience the world around me. My family didn’t take well to the creative, out of the box and emotionally connected human I was becoming.
Around the age of 20, I started embracing parts of myself that were not accepted in my community; my sexuality, spirituality, the fact that I wanted a creative career, and that I didn’t define success as money and stability. Also, why aren’t we talking about mental health in this household? It wasn’t soon after I started speaking up about these things that I found myself cut off from the resources including love, support, money, and connections. I can’t exactly remember how I got through this season of life but I remember that the struggle was real. I was completely alone. It’s true what they say, that you will find out a lot about yourself when you’re at the lowest point and that’s exactly what happened. My mindset didn’t change right away, in fact I spent quite a few years bitter and feeling sorry for myself. The moment I made up my mind to live the life I wanted regardless of the validation of anyone else is the moment my destiny was set in motion. I was 21 years old, in the middle of college with nowhere to live. My tuition was revoked by my parents on account that I was pursuing a creative major that “wouldn’t yield results in the real world” and simultaneously the emotional safety net as yanked as well. I had no idea what an LLC was but I got one and named it Mandee Logsdon Photography. I fumbled through conversations at the bank, creating contracts, logo creation and branding, doing everything myself because I couldn’t afford it any other way.
I had a dream of creating a conscious photography business in which I would travel the world capturing the authenticity of each human and space I connected with telling their story, at the time this looked like wedding photography. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but I knew I didn’t have a whole lot to lose. I applied for a work-study program giving campus tours of the college in exchange for my tuition and used the only money I had left in my savings to buy photography gear. I still remember my first gig, I met with the couple getting married to discuss and hopefully book their wedding date. I sat up tall across the table from them and proudly proclaimed, “I’m a natural light photographer”. My assistant sitting next to me literally laughed out loud because he knew the truth, that I had no idea how to use lighting equipment or even operate this camera. In my head I was like, “great, and we’re done here”. I still don’t know why that couple booked us, maybe they saw the glimmer of hope in my eyes, but regardless the universe came in clutch because it was the win I needed to actually believe in myself. I booked and shot my first wedding! It wasn’t great but it also wasn’t that bad. The rest is history, I paid my way through college booking weddings and portrait sessions. A few of them even won awards and I was published twice.
I still capture people consciously, under the LLC Mandee Logsdon Photo, paying attention to the little details that make each individual, couple, family, or wedding unique. I am a photographer but I am also a storyteller and that is my superpower! I love human connection, hearing the words people use to describe their life then painting a realistic digital depiction of those moments. I ask a lot of questions seeking to truly understand and use my empathetic gifts to portray the energy of people, lives, spaces and experiences.
I love the foundation I created for myself but it hasn’t always been my focus through the years. There were gaps in which I tried to pursue the corporate career, moments I gave up because the haters got to me, and like 2-3 rebrands I think. My dream has evolved over the last decade, as have I, into a spiritual and connected practice. What makes me unique is in the space I create for people who come work with me. There is nothing rigid about my business; I am fluid, patient and open to learning from the people who book. I have no “ideal client” that I look for, just genuine human connection and giving those humans a space to be captured and seen. In the past few years, started incorporating video into my practice utilizing its incredible power to evoke emotion and tell a story and it’s by far my favorite evolution my business has gone through. I also expanded by adding a social media marketing aspect where I focus on creating content for spiritual and healing spaces. My hope is that someday my work will not only help raise human consciousness but also be a haven for those needing to be seen and their stories told.
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 struggle for me. There have been too many times in which I have had to find odd jobs or put more focus on the corporate careers in the name of surviving. I haven’t always had a supportive network to fall back on and for me, this is important in keeping motivated during the challenging times. I started my business in Ohio and when I moved to Austin six years ago, I couldn’t bring that clientele with me, I remember that this felt like starting over. I’m still learning daily and it’s been ten years! It’s terrifying to be reminded that I’m responsible for the success or downfall of this business but it’s the most beautiful contribution to society that I’ve ever made, it fills me up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to think of myself as a professional hype girl because I derive a lot of joy from elevating others. To quote my own story, my digital storytelling collides with spiritual and connected practice. What makes me unique is found in the space I create for people who come work with me. There is nothing rigid about my business; I am fluid, patient and open to learning from the people who book. I have no “ideal client” that I look for, just genuine human connection and giving those humans a space to be captured and seen. And obviously, the work I’m doing with social media marketing for healing spaces is my newest endeavor and something I look forward to growing next.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve derived the most meaning from getting out in the local community and just being myself, participating in events, and loving people with my talents. As far as resources go, here are a few of my favorites:
• The Alchemist – a fantastic book for those looking for some inspiration, self/soul alignment
• Successful Social Media Influencers specific to photography and things I love like travel, the lgbtq+ community, inclusivity and plants: @kyliekatich, @mariefeandjakesnow, @plantkween, @gabifresh
• Local photographers who host workshops or online space, for example @juanjosephoto
Contact Info:
- Email: mandeelogsdon@gmail.com
- Website: mandeebethcollective.com
- Instagram: @mandeebethcollective / @mandeebeth
