Behind the Lens

My name is Mackenzie Southworth!

I’m a professional photographer who specializes in wedding, portrait, event, and product photography. I am currently enrolled at Brigham Young University and studying Photo and Lens-Based Design. I also work as the photographer for BYU’s dining design department. As part of my job, I take photos of menu items to be displayed on monitors in restaurants, in apps or websites, or even printed on posters around campus, on ice cream cartons, and on the sides of trucks.

I have been photographing any and everything I can for the last about six years of my life. I started my hobby in 2019 when my grandparents gave me their old camera- a Sony Hx400v, and instantly fell in love. I taught myself how to use my camera, took an online class in middle school, and practiced non-stop. I photographed my family, the fireworks on the fourth of July, alligators I found outside (I am from Florida) and just about anything else I could find that I wanted to capture as a piece of art with my camera. I had discovered my passion of capturing moments and making people consider them from different perspectives.

When I reached my sophomore year of high school, I got my very own Canon EOS R (my 15 year old self’s dream camera). In my sophomore year through my senior year, practiced more as a photographer for my school’s yearbook committee. Through this experience, I was taught how to photograph sports, how to optimize light for portraiture, and how to schedule and deliver photographs on time. During this time, I was able to develop my own style and discover my favorite types of things to photograph.

I especially love to photograph ocean animals when I go to the aquarium. Since moving out of Florida, I have been trying to expand my range and photograph more landscapes too! I love to shoot concerts, and I love to shoot food. Here are some of my favorites: