Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with McKindree Wilson of San Tan Valley

We’re looking forward to introducing you to McKindree Wilson. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning McKindree, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me begins with a slow morning—making a protein shake before heading out to a Pilates class. Afterward, I usually swing by for a much-needed Diet Coke (my favorite pick-me-up!) and head home to dive into editing, updating my website, or managing the backend of my business.

Afternoons are often reserved for household tasks, running errands, or photo shoots. My husband and I love ending the day eating dinner together, then curling up in bed with a good movie or one of our favorite shows—a simple but meaningful way to close out the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is McKindree Wilson! I am 27 and live in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, you could almost always find me with a camera in hand, documenting everything around me. But my relationship with photography deepened when I was just 12 years old and facing a life-threatening illness. After being diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure that eventually required a bone marrow transplant at 16, I spent nearly a year in the hospital, undergoing chemotherapy and other harsh treatments.

During those long, difficult months, photography became more than a hobby, it became a lifeline. Capturing images from my hospital bed, journaling my days, and telling my story through a lens helped me find beauty and meaning in the midst of pain. It gave me purpose. And it gave me hope.

One unforgettable day during my recovery, I was surprised by none other than Garth Brooks. He gifted me a full set of new camera gear and encouraged me to chase my dreams. Over a decade later, that dream is now my reality, and I have the honor of photographing life’s most meaningful moments for others.

Today, I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Arizona (though I’m always up for a travel adventure!). I’m married to my best friend, Hyrum, and we share a home with our sweet mini dachshund, Harley. I’m a big fan of Diet Coke, chips and salsa, fresh flowers, and reality TV…those are my love languages.

But above all, I’m passionate about capturing love in its purest form, the candid, unscripted moments that tell your story. From golden hour kisses and joyful embraces to the quiet in-between glances, my approach is rooted in intentionality. My goal is to blend raw, documentary-style captures with gently guided poses to create images that feel effortless, timeless, and true to you.

Every story I photograph is a gift. Every session, an opportunity to preserve moments that will one day mean everything.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful dates back to when I was about 11 years old; right before I got sick. At the time, I was a high-level competitive gymnast, and the gym was where I truly came alive. I felt strong, focused, and unstoppable. Even on the hardest days—when training pushed me to my limits or I wasn’t feeling my best—I learned how to dig deep and keep going. That discipline shaped me in ways I didn’t realize at the time. Looking back, I credit much of my resilience to my gymnastics training and the incredible coaches who believed in me.

Another defining moment came shortly after my bone marrow transplant. I had just come through the most physically and emotionally challenging season of my life, and there was a deep sense of power in simply surviving it. That experience forced me to shift my perspective—to become a glass-half-full kind of person. I realized that if I could make it through something that difficult, I could face anything life threw my way.

I still carry those moments with me. I often reflect on them as reminders of the strength I’ve built over time—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely moments when giving up felt easier than pushing forward.

The most vivid came during my bone marrow transplant journey at just 16 years old. I was undergoing intense chemotherapy and treatments, spending much of my teenage years in and out of the hospital. I remember feeling completely depleted…physically, mentally, and emotionally. I watched my body change, lost my hair and my sense of normalcy, and began to wonder if I’d ever feel like “me” again. It was isolating, disorienting, and at times, deeply overwhelming.

I never wanted to give up on life, but there were moments when the weight of it all felt too heavy to carry. Still, something always pulled me back: the unwavering love of my family and friends, the encouragement from my nurses and doctors, and the quiet comfort of picking up my camera. I began documenting my experience; photographing moments from my hospital bed and journaling my days. That creative outlet became a source of healing. It reminded me there was still beauty in the world, even in the darkest places. What began as a lifeline has since evolved into my dream career.

That season taught me that strength doesn’t always show up as loud or heroic, it often looks like the quiet, steady decision to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. It’s a mindset I’ve carried with me ever since. Whenever life presents challenges—personally or professionally—I reflect on how far I’ve come. And I remind myself: if I could make it through that, I can make it through anything.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%! With me, what you see is what you get. I’m a happy, positive, bubbly person who loves life, and I truly hope that energy shines through in everything I do and share. I believe in being authentic and letting my joy and passion be felt by those around me.

That said, while I’m open and genuine in the public space, there are always layers to a person…moments of quiet reflection, challenges, and growth that might not be as visible. But overall, the version of me you meet publicly is a true reflection of my spirit and how I choose to live my life.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I truly believe I’m doing what I was born to do. While life often brings external expectations and influences, I’ve learned to listen closely to my own heart and passions. I strive to live authentically and follow the path that feels right for me, not just what others expect or tell me to do.

Being happy, positive, and loving life is at the core of who I am, and I want everything I do to reflect that spirit. So yes, I’m pursuing my own purpose, not simply following a script written by others.

As cliché as it may sound, I also believe everything happens for a reason. If I hadn’t gone through the experiences I did, I don’t think I would have discovered my deep love and appreciation for photography. Every challenge and moment shaped me and led me to this passion, and I’m grateful for the journey that brought me here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mckindreemariephoto.com
• Instagram: @mckindreemariephoto
• Facebook: Mckindree Wilson

Image Credits
McKindree Marie Photography