We recently had the chance to connect with Maggie and Hank Banaei and have shared our conversation below.
Maggie and Hank, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Hank and I were blessed with twin girls in January, and caring for them has brought us the greatest joy. Every day feels like a new adventure, and we’ve never experienced this much love and happiness in our lives. We’ve been together since 2011, but this new chapter has filled our hearts in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Maggie and Hank Banaei, a wife-and-husband photography and videography team based in Dallas. Our journey started back in 2011 when we first met, and in 2018 we officially launched our business. What began as a favor for a friend’s engagement session quickly grew into a full-time passion—by 2021, we were photographing weddings professionally, and since then we’ve captured over 100 weddings for couples from all different backgrounds.
What makes our brand special is that we approach photography with both artistry and heart. We don’t just capture moments—we preserve stories that couples and families can treasure for a lifetime. Along with weddings, we also specialize in maternity, newborn, and family photography, which is especially close to our hearts now as new parents of twin girls.
We’re honored to have our work published in places like The Knot, Wed Society, Brides & Weddings, and Lensational Magazine, and we’re excited to keep growing our studio to serve even more couples and families. At the core, what makes us unique is the personal connection we create with each client—we truly see every story as one-of-a-kind, and we love being trusted to tell it through our lens.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
We both believe the most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves. That’s what has truly shaped who we are today. Of course, our relationship as husband and wife, best friends, and even coworkers has been a huge part of our journey—but it all starts with knowing yourself first.
Over time, we realized that so much of how we saw ourselves was shaped by society, culture, social media, and even the expectations of family and friends. Deep down, though, we knew that wasn’t the full picture of who we truly are. So we started the process of looking inward—examining our beliefs, letting go of the ones that didn’t serve us, and embracing the ones that did. That journey of self-discovery has guided us every step of the way, and continues to shape both our personal lives and our work.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Enjoy the journey! Happiness and success aren’t destinations or things you achieve—they’re skills you learn and practice at every stage of life. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chores, the work, and the goals, and forget to simply be present.
That’s one of the biggest gifts our twin girls have given us: they remind us to slow down and enjoy the moment. When you’re truly present, that’s where joy lives. So if we could tell our younger selves anything, it would be to focus less on rushing to ‘arrive’ somewhere, and more on embracing the journey along the way.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
We believe you are the most powerful person in your own life, capable of changing it no matter the circumstances. Not everyone agrees with us—many people say there will always be something standing in the way. But we’ve found that even when everything feels stacked against you, you still have the ability to choose, to act, and to create the life you want. That belief has shaped who we are today, and the more people doubt it, the stronger it makes our conviction
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Yes—absolutely, and it happens often! Every time we set a goal for our business and finally reach it, we feel like we’re tap dancing. The amazing part is that when we set those goals, we usually have no idea where to even begin—especially as immigrants learning to navigate new policies, culture, and sometimes even the language. What once felt so far out of reach has, time and time again, become reality. Looking back, we can only say it was God aligning everything and everyone to help us get there. That sense of miracle and gratitude is what makes us dance with joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maggieandhank.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggieandhankproduction/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggieandhank
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaggieandHank
- Other: Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/maggieandhank
