6.30.21

Hi! My name is Merri Sánchez. I grew up in Amarillo, Texas and always had an infatuation with taking photos. My mom had a Nikon D60 during my childhood, in which I would very sneakingly take from her during events and even during down time at home. I was roughly six years old the first time I laid my hands on that camera, and never once did I get guidance on how to even take a picture. But there I was, six years old, at my brother’s softball game, taking very detailed pictures of, believe it or not, trash. Yes, I took pictures of a Rice Krispies treat on the ground because simply, why not?

From then on, I was found begging my mom to let me borrow that camera whenever my creativity struck. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school, when we were packing up the house before a big move, that my brother offered to give me the camera. I remember this moment very distinctively when he casually walked in my room lugging it around like a normal day-to-day object and said, “Hey Merri. Do you want this?”
I excitedly said, “Oh my gosh. Of Course I do! I have been begging for this, for years!”
That day opened a plethora of opportunities for me, and my 14 year old self had no idea. 

I’ll spare the details, but I spent almost every ounce of my free time, for a few months, taking pictures of everything around our new house and property. Around that time, we got a new art teacher just two months after I transferred to Highland Park. That art teacher happened to be a professional wedding photographer and damn good one if I might say so myself. Her name is Kait Bradford. I remember when she mentioned she was a photographer, I had to refrain from jumping out of my chair. During class, she would show me some of her work and I would show her mine. She gave me accounts and hashtags I should follow on Instagram and advice about starting my photography journey. 

Throughout high school, I found any opportunity I could to take pictures. I joined Highland Park’s yearbook staff and even asked some friends to let me photograph them. Eventually I began to push my business and take photos for peers, coworkers, and even my friend’s moms’. I have learned my skills simply from trial and error…and maybe some help from youtube, but without my friends and family, none of this would be possible. 

Three years and many coffee dates later, I am now working for, the before mentioned photographer, Kait! This summer, I have chosen to focus on growing my business as well as assisting Kait, before I move to Glenwood Springs in the fall. 

If you were to ask 14 year old Merri if she would be writing this blog, fixing to pursue a degree in Photography & Business, and even preparing to move 10 hours away without any friends or family, she probably would say “Wreck ‘Em Tech!” and “I love my mom too much to move that far.” My photography journey is just getting started, and you are here to witness it!