Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

Morgan Pansing was one if the first people I met when I moved over the hill to the suburbs and right off the bat I appreciated her warmth, openness, and honestly. She also happens to be a wonderful photographer who focuses on women’s lifestyle.

I am excited to share more about Morgan and how intentionality shows up in the her life.

If you've done the Values Deck exercise, what are your top five values? Tell us how one of them manifests in your life. What is a decision you’ve made using it to guide you?

Love, Creativity, Honesty, Connection, Stability.

Love manifests itself in my life daily in all that I do. From my work, to my family, to my friends — love is my ultimate guide in everything that I do in this life.

What does a life well-lived look like?

A life well-lived is a life filled with love and adventure, meaningful relationships, and constant growth.

My version of success is…

My version of success is raising two kind and empathetic children who want to make the world a better place, as well as cultivating a career and business that is soul nourishing. Also nurturing a life-long partnership with my husband. I'm really trying to set aside more one-on-one time with my husband this year. And of course all the beautiful and meaningful friendships.

credit // Morgan Pansing for Backslash Petals

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

I am seeking to continue to grow my skills as a businesswoman. I am all about the creative journey and have always put the emphasis on creative fulfillment, and I am now really trying to work on my skills as a business owner as well as a creative. My friend Joy Cho embodies all of it so well. She is an amazing creative visionary as well as an inspirational businesswoman.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

I am finally learning to set boundaries. I still have a long way to go on this one, but I have definitely also come a really long way. I am a such a people pleaser, and I am finally learning to make my own needs a priority, and care less about pleasing others and more about making sure that my own needs are being met.

credit // Morgan Pansing for Backslash Petals

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I am a really good mom. I learned from the very best. I lost my own mother three years ago to cancer, and while the grief has been immeasurable, the one thing that I have learned is that a wonderful mother stays with you forever.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

I have to come back to my mother again here. She was my hero in every sense. She was an impactful environmentalist, an activist, a world traveler, raising two children while also following her artistic passion as a novelist. She had a beautiful marriage, and was a stellar hostess, always throwing the most gorgeous dinner parties with all of her friends.

credit // Morgan Pansing for Backslash Petals

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

"We can do hard things." — Glennon Doyle

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

Unlocking Us with Brené Brown; her episode with Esther Perel on Partnerships, Patterns and Paradoxical Relationshps. Listen to it here.

What are you grateful for today?

My health.

Morgan Pansing is an LA-based photographer specializing in lifestyle and editorial imagery. She’s always up for adventure, travel, and is passionate about telling stories through her photography. Bring the beauty of her work into your home from her print shop). JAIMIBROOKS25 for 25% off any print.