Meet Mallory Fraughton

"There is something about leaving your home and breathing in some fresh air that is motivating and thrilling and rejuvenating."

hat: 'Esther' by Gigi Pip 

Nothing puts a smile on our faces like seeing you incredible women chase your dreams. Chase your dreams --- a phrase we often associate with triumph and success, but in reality doesn't always work out that simply.  What we love about Mallory is how she shares the honest struggle and true rewards of dream-chasing.

We've had our eye on her blossoming photography career for a while and are simply thrilled to share this deeper look into her path as a young entrepreneur.

We LOVE the photos Mallory shared with us in our new 'Esther' boater hat. Check out her instagram+ photography website to see more of her blooming work.

What are the roles or hats you lead in your life?
Currently, I'm wearing a few different hats. My favorites are: sister, daughter, friend, photographer, planner, visual creative, lover, curator, traveler, business-owner, christ-follower, people person.

What hats do you find are most challenging and what do you do to embrace them?
I think one of the hardest hats to wear is being a business owner. I'm pretty young, and I've had to sacrifice a lot of things that kids my age usually don't to own a business. Getting into photography, I think people have this perception that the only work involved is showing up to a shoot, some editing, and then pictures magically appearing on social media a few days later. It's so much more than that! Creating and updating a website, responding to emails, planning and preparing for shoots, interacting with people, the occasional disappointment of failure, stress-filled financing and budgeting, updating equipment, constantly looking to learn, editing late into the night, and more. The hardest point in my career was a semester where I held 3 jobs + full time school + trying to keep my photography business alive simultaneously! It's tons of work, but it's also the MOST rewarding thing I've ever done in my life! 

What hats are least known about you?
I think a hat I wear that I don't often show is my love for healthy eating and living. I grew up with some major health problems that led me to learn a lot about myself and the food I'm putting into my body. It was cool to be going to a nutritionist that would teach me a concept, and then go to school that day and learn the same thing in Biology! It's such a cool experience being able to fully apply what you're learning in a classroom setting to your life. I still love spending time educating myself, learning, and striving to eat clean!

Who or what inspires you?
Sorry to give a cliche response, but honestly and truthfully people and places inspire me. I love seeing other people pursue their dreams fearlessly, or create something that I've never seen before, or do something that before that point seemed impossible. Watching others recklessly abandon ordinary life inspires me! Aaaand places inspire me! And maybe that makes me sound like your every-day girl, but there is something about leaving your home and breathing in some fresh air that is motivating and thrilling and rejuvenating- and I honestly 100% feel inspired by it.