We were lucky to catch up with Marina Cole recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marina , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
That’s a tough question. But if I had to choose, I would say that my most meaningful project, so far, was my first band photoshoot. I had been working with the band, Speak Easy, for around a year before we did the shoot, so I had gotten to know them and felt like I could execute their vision. It was the first time that I had taken on such a large project, so at first I was slightly apprehensive. All of my nerves toward the shoot completely vanished once we got to the first location. We all worked together so seamlessly, and had the best time collaborating on new ideas in the moment. It was truly one of the best shoots I’ve ever had the privilege to do, and made my connection with the band even better than it already was.
Marina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Before I ever considered a career in photography, I’ve always had a love for capturing the moment in front of me. Whether it was candid photos of friends or shots from my travels, I was always finding myself taking pictures. It wasn’t until college that I decided to pursue photography as more than a hobby. My path to taking photos professionally started with taking headshots when I was Speaker of the Senate for LSU Student Government, as a way to bond with the individuals in my branch. From there, I moved on to taking graduation photos, then eventually found my way into concert photography.
While my main area of focus is concert photography, I also genuinely love photoshoots. From maternity shoots to curated photoshoots with a specific theme, I have fallen in love with the creativity of collaborating with other people and creating something that feels unique.
What sets me apart is one of the things that I’m most proud of, which is being able to photograph someone how they see themselves. The majority of the feedback I get from clients is that I was able to capture the way they felt onstage in that moment or that I made them feel comfortable in front of the camera for the first time. There’s truly no better compliment. I’m also incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve been able to make that allow me to express myself creatively, whether it’s from shooting onstage to collaborating on shoots. Building a relationship with your client is crucial, if they’re not completely comfortable that will be reflected in the photos.
The main thing I would want potential clients to know, is that my goal is to execute their vision. With anything, there is a learning curve, and I enjoy going out of my comfort zone learning new techniques, or trying a new style of photography if that’s what a client is asking for. It’s truly all about collaboration and team work.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media presence is tricky. While some aspects feel easier to navigate, there truly is so much to learn from building a brand online. My biggest piece of advice would be to try new things over time and see what your audience responds to. Personally, I found the most engagement with my content when I started posting a photo highlight of the week. The photo highlights have become something my followers expect/look forward to each week, and allows me to rollout content on a regular basis without having to worry about following a specific formula.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to find community. Photography has truly opened up my world to the most incredible, talented group of people that I’m lucky enough to call friends. Being able to collaborate with others has allowed me to challenge myself in ways that I never would have before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.marsphotography.photos
- Instagram: @_mars.photography
- Facebook: Mars Photography
Image Credits
Marina Cole