There are few names in the wedding industry as instantly recognizable as KT Merry. With her work featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings, she’s earned a reputation for elevating photography into high art. But behind the accolades is a story marked by hard-earned grit, deliberate business strategy, and an unwavering commitment to longevity.

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In our latest conversation, KT opened up about her path—from wrangling horses on a cattle ranch to redefining what it means to run a creative business with purpose. This wasn’t just a highlight reel of career wins. It was a candid look at the resilience and self-trust required to stay the course.

Betting on Yourself

When No One Else Will

Long before she was photographing destination weddings across the globe, KT spent summers on horseback, managing a herd of 200 horses and teaching guests how to ride. That experience—equal parts physical labor and character building—laid the groundwork for the way she now leads her business. She spoke about it not as a glamorous origin story, but as the place where she learned endurance. “If you are gritty enough and just stick with it,” she said, “you can do whatever.”

The same spirit showed up years later in a Miami apartment, when she had to make the choice between the safety of assisting fashion photographers and the unknown world of launching her own career. She describes that moment as terrifying—turning down paid work to pursue something unproven—but also as one of the bravest decisions she’s ever made.

The Business Behind the Art

What sets KT apart is the way she runs her creative business. She’s the first to admit that spreadsheets and systems didn’t come naturally. “I’ve always needed organization to thrive,” she said, “but it’s not my default setting.” Instead of ignoring that gap, she filled it—through programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and a willingness to study what she didn’t yet know.

Her Abundance Plan mentorship program was born from that same philosophy: giving creative entrepreneurs the clarity and structure she wished she’d had early on. It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about building a business that supports the artist behind it. Contracts, insurance, pricing, and backend structure might not be glamorous, but they’re what allow creatives to keep going when the work gets hard.

Couple embraces beside a stone railing in a romantic Paris garden, surrounded by spring foliage and historic architecture.

Photo taken from @ktmerry

Woman in an embroidered sheer gown stands in a traditional wooden doorway, holding a round floral fan in a serene courtyard.

Photo taken from @ktmerry

Bride and groom hold hands on a wooden dock overlooking a peaceful lake and glass-roofed conservatory in the distance.

Photo taken from @ktmerry

Loyalty to Self

Throughout our conversation, one theme came up again and again: loyalty to yourself. KT talked about showing up fiercely for what you love, even when no one else understands it yet. It’s that internal compass—the one that guides your decisions before the world validates them—that she believes is the difference between longevity and burnout.

And she’s not talking in motivational soundbites. For her, loyalty shows up in early morning gym routines, in choosing to travel with her dog for a sense of home, and in daring to be the one at the hotel breakfast bar blending a green smoothie while others raise eyebrows. It’s about staying grounded in what matters, no matter the setting.

Playing the Long Game

Evolving is non-negotiable. “Nothing is given,” she said. “We have to continually show up.” In an industry where the noise is louder than ever, KT’s approach to sustainability is refreshingly grounded. She doesn’t try to force seasons that aren’t hers to be in. Instead, she pays attention—adjusting, slowing down, recalibrating, and moving forward in alignment.

Her spiritual practice mirrors that too—less about answers and more about questions. Less about certainty and more about surrender. Through retreats and intentional community, she’s exploring how embodiment and mindfulness deepen both personal life and creative output.

What stood out most was this: she isn’t chasing constant growth. She’s choosing conscious growth. Growth that comes with clarity, support, and intention.

Aerial view of a luxury villa and illuminated pool surrounded by lush green jungle, set for an outdoor dinner party at dusk.

Photo taken from @ktmerry

A hummingbird hovers mid-flight beside vibrant pink blooms, wings blurred in motion with a dark natural background.

Photo taken from @ktmerry

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