Photographer and coach Maggie Nowak, owner of Story Within wearing a white coat over a black outfit, smiling and laughing against a plain gray background. 
 Meet Maggie 

Photographer.
Coach-in-Training. Believer in your story.

Book a Discovery Session
Owner of Story Within, Maggie Nowak, dancing in a yellow dress and white high heels in a room with wooden floors and white walls.
Close-up of a woman in a flowy yellow dress and white heels, standing on confetti-covered wooden floor.
A shelf with a globe, a license plate, a camera, a closed notebook, and a sign with the message, "Remember why you started." 
 More than photography

You deserve to be seen
fully, truthfully, beautifully.

This work begins with being seen. Sometimes that happens through photography. Sometimes through conversation. Often through both.

Brand photography today is about more than lighting, poses, and props. At its best, it captures presence, personality, and connection. And still, for many women, something can feel missing. Not in the image quality, but in how the experience feels.

You’ve evolved, but the way you’re presenting yourself hasn’t kept pace. Or you’re stepping into a new chapter and want to show up with more clarity and intention.

At Story Within, photography is one way we explore that. The process is thoughtful and conversational, shaped by presence, attention, and honesty. There’s no performing or pretending. Just space to reflect who you are now.

This work sits at the intersection of photography and coaching. While my coaching offerings are still unfolding, the way I work is already rooted in listening, reflection, and authentic expression.

Whether through images or conversation, the intention is the same: to help you see yourself more clearly and express that truth with confidence.

 My Story
Edmonton photographer and coach Maggie Nowak smiling and wearing a dark dress against a beige background.

From strategy to soul-led work

For over 20 years, I worked in strategy, policy, and leadership within the public sector. I led teams, mentored individuals, navigated complexity, and helped people and organizations move through change. I was trusted with big decisions and meaningful work.

And while I was successful by every external measure, what fueled me most was always the same thing: working with people.

Seeing individuals grow into their confidence. Watching teams come alive when trust, clarity, and purpose were present.

Supporting people as they stepped into their potential.

Over time, I began to reflect more deeply on that truth. As parts of my work no longer aligned, I asked myself a simple but honest question: What actually brings me the most meaning?

The answer was clear. Connection. Creativity. Helping people see themselves more fully and step forward with intention.

That reflection led me here.

Coach and owner of Story Within, Maggie Nowak sitting on a beige couch, holding a card in her right hand.
Blurred image with golden and white bokeh light effects.

Story Within is the gradual evolution of everything I’ve learned and lived.

It brings together my background in leadership, mentoring, and strategy with my work as a photographer and guide. This work values presence and honesty, allowing what’s true to come forward naturally. 

I work with women who are capable, thoughtful, and evolving. Women who know there is more available to them. More truth. More alignment. More expression. Whether through photography or coaching, my role is to create space for clarity, confidence, and perspective to emerge.

The stories we carry shape how we see ourselves and how we move through the world. Some are inherited. Many are outdated. With awareness, they can change.

You are at the helm of your own life. You carry your own inner compass.

You get to choose the story you tell and to live a life you genuinely love. 

Let’s capture the story within you and reflect it with honesty and care.

    • Over 20 years of experience in strategy, policy and program development in the public sector.

    • Experience mentoring individuals to lean into their strengths, build confidence, and step into their potential.

    • Experience leading teams through change and building trust, cohesion, and effective collaboration.

    • Background in facilitation and guiding thoughtful, meaningful conversations in complex environments.

    • Bachelor of Commerce, University of Alberta.

    • DreamBuilder Coaching Program through the Brave Thinking Institute (in progress).

    • Professional photography training through the Photography Institute and the Photographer’s Path.

    • Now integrating this leadership and mentoring experience with photography and coaching to work with women who are ready to own who they are and shape lives they love.

    • Soup. Especially the kind with slurpy noodles and a big spoon.

    • Hot yoga. Sweat, stillness and the occasional headstand 

    • Dancing fixes most things.
      Backstreet’s Back will get me out of a funk every time #NoShame

    • Dogs. All of them. But especially Basset Hounds.
      Snuggly. Loyal. A little ridiculous. Perfect.

    • Deep conversations about being human, the universe, how everything is connected 

    • Ice cream. Anything with caramel #NoSelfControl

  • Justin Bieber’s performance of Yukon at the Grammy’s - EPIC 

Work with me

Choose the experience that's right for where you are.

A smiling woman with blonde hair holding a potted plant in a flower shop, with shelves of plants and floral items behind her.

Story Branding Session

Natural, professional portraits that reflect who you are and how you show up in your work.
A straightforward branding session for women entrepreneurs and leaders who want updated images that feel aligned, current, and real.

A woman sitting cross-legged on the ground in a wooded area, holding a glowing lantern, looking upward with a smile.

Becoming Session

An intentional portrait experience for women stepping into their next chapter. Guided photography is paired with thoughtful creative direction and a personalized digital vision board. You’ll walk away with stunning images and a visual compass for the woman you’re becoming

Learn more
A woman with long brown hair sitting at a dark table, hands clasped under her chin, smiling softly, with artwork and decorative items in the background. 
 Let's work together.

You deserve to be seen—fully, truthfully, beautifully

I'd love to hear your story and help you step into your next chapter with images that reflect who you truly are.

Book a discovery call