Meet Mary
Hi… I’m Mary.
Since you’ve already booked your session, I thought it would be nice for you to know a little more about the person who will actually be behind the camera with you. I’m the owner of the studio, and I’m also the one who will be photographing you every step of the way. Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I officially opened Mary Breuer LLC in 2012, and we’ve been in this same downtown location since 2016. Over the years this studio has grown into something really special, a place where people come to reconnect with themselves, explore their confidence, and sometimes see their bodies in a way they never have before. Professionally, I’m an award-winning and accredited photographer with The Portrait Masters, and some of my work has been selected to live in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC in perpetuity, which is still something I have to pinch myself about. But honestly, the recognition that means the most to me is watching someone see their images for the first time and hearing them say something like, “I didn’t know I could look like that.”
My favorite set in the studio is our fine art nudes. I’m a bit of a nudist at heart and I truly believe that sometimes wardrobe can overcomplicate things. When everything is stripped back, it allows the focus to be on the beauty of the human body, shape, light, movement, and emotion. My relationship with the body is something that’s very personal to me. I’m currently in recovery from an eating disorder, and learning to take really intentional care of my body has been a a huge part of my own healing journey. Because of that, the work we create here isn’t just about beautiful photos. It’s about creating space for people to experience themselves with compassion, curiosity, and sometimes a little bit of courage. Outside of the studio, life is pretty full. I work part-time on the weekends at the hospital as a respiratory therapist, something I’ve done for nearly two decades. I’m also a single mom with three kids. So if life ever feels a little chaotic on your end… just know I probably understand.
At the end of the day, this experience is really about two humans showing up and creating something together. My job is to guide you, support you, and help you see yourself in ways you might not expect.
And now that you’ve booked… I truly can’t wait to meet you.
A Little About How the Studio Works
Now that you’ve explored the different sets, lighting styles, and inspiration throughout this guide and have a better idea of the direction you might want to go with your session, I want to share a little more about how the magic actually happens here at the studio. When I first opened Mary Breuer LLC, I truly did everything on my own, hair, makeup, retouching, ordering products, packaging, delivering… all of it. I wore every hat imaginable. I’m really proud to say that’s no longer the case.
For the past five years, I’ve had a studio manager who has grown into a true creative partner in training, someone who helps bring your entire experience to life and ensures everything runs smoothly from start to finish. While I’m the one who will guide you through your session and photograph you, there’s another incredibly important person behind the scenes helping make everything feel seamless. You’ll meet her next. Now that you know a little more about me and my role in your experience, I’d love to introduce you to Jakie, the person who helps transform all of the ideas you’ve been exploring into something real on session day. After that, we’ll dive into some behind-the-scenes preparation, including how to prep your body and mindset, along with a few wardrobe tips to help you feel your absolute best before your big day.
