We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Santiago Marino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Santiago below.

Santiago, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a photoshoot in Miami Beach, Florida, just a week or so after Hurricane Milton hit the state. It took place during a sunset shoot in South Beach, and what made this experience so significant was that it happened on one of the windiest days of the year. The model I was working with was standing knee-deep in the water, about 20 minutes after sunset. The combination of wind, waves, splashing water, and light was so harmonious that it made me realize my favorite “studio” or set isn’t a traditional indoor space—it’s the outdoors.

In most photography studios, large fans are used to create movement in the model’s hair, but here, my “fan” was the wind, completely controlled by Mother Nature. It was unpredictable and chaotic, but somehow, it made every shot even more beautiful than I could have imagined.
The Atlantic Ocean served as my prop for the shoot. The waves crashed against the model’s legs, splashing high and creating unpredictable patterns. The lighting from the flash illuminated the water droplets and splashes, making them appear like floating crystals in the air. It was incredible to witness Mother Nature playing such an important and magical role in the shoot.

That experience reminded me that, just like in life, a little bit of chaos and unpredictability can create something truly unique and beautiful. The wind will never blow the same way, the water will never splash in the same pattern, and the lighting will never be identical. Each moment was an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind instance, captured forever in a photograph. Since that shoot, nighttime beach photoshoots have become one of my signature styles, and I consider them the perfect canvas for creating something extraordinary.

For me, these types of photoshoots go beyond just taking pictures—they feel almost magical, even celestial. It feels like it’s not just me, the model, and the camera—it’s Mother Nature and the universe coming together to create something completely unpredictable. And that unpredictability is what makes the photographs so special.

Santiago, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The first time I worked on a set was for the TV show Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordon Ramsay, back in 2008. After that, I spent the next few years producing “how-to” videos and tutorials on YouTube.
In 2016, I moved to New York City, where I had the privilege of working on over 300 movie sets and TV shows. This experience allowed me to dive deeper into movie production and storytelling, learning from industry leaders like Steven Spielberg on West Side Story, Nicole Kidman in The Undoing, Halle Berry on Bruised, Judd Apatow in The King of Staten Island, Keanu Reeves in John Wick 3, Clive Owen in Gemini Man, Tracy Morgan in The Last O.G., and Jennifer Lopez in Hustlers, just to name a few.

While in NYC, I also trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and One on One The Leading Acting Networking Studio, where I gained invaluable insight into working both in front of and behind the camera.
In addition to my work in film and television, I also worked as a radio announcer, voicing spots for brands such as Pizza Hut and JCPenney, along with other voice-over projects including podcasts and audiobooks. I also had the opportunity to be a principal in TV commercials for Lexus Intersect and Hell of a Good.
I always tell people that New York City is one big movie set. I had the privilege of working in large studio sets like Silvercup Studios and Steiner Studios, as well as countless shoots across the five boroughs, from the subway to Grand Central Station, parks, streets, restaurants, and more.
I lived in NYC for almost five years, and during that time, I realized that the best way to learn about filmmaking and photography is by working directly on sets. A formal education is fantastic, but there’s something uniquely valuable about gaining hands-on experience and learning from the best in the field.
As you can imagine, when COVID-19 hit, I moved to Miami to be closer to my family. I did consider going back to NYC, but I ultimately fell in love with Miami’s vibrant culture and energy.
In Miami, I discovered my passion for the fitness, fashion, and lifestyle industries. That’s when I decided to combine my storytelling experience and start Miami Fit Photos.

Film production is an incredible medium for sharing creative ideas, but capturing a single moment in time through a photograph is a form of storytelling I truly love. At Miami Fit Photos, I’m able to provide a valuable service to my clients across various fields, including fashion, fitness, swimwear, lifestyle, and professional headshots. We also produce short videos for our clients, but our specialty and most common service is photography.

I absolutely love capturing a moment in time with a single photo—celebrating my clients’ beauty while telling a story all in one shot. It’s like stopping time and capturing an amazing moment forever. It’s beauty, creativity, mindfulness, love—it’s everything. I could keep going on and on, but it’s probably best if you see it for yourself on our portfolio. Visit us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok at @MiamiFitPhotos, or check out our website at www.MiamiFitPhotos.com. We would be honored to work with you and share this incredible passion!

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what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or

At Miami Fit Photos, we offer a range of popular services, including fitness photography, fashion photography, swimwear photography, lifestyle photography, and professional headshots. In addition, we also work on photoshoots for businesses, such as yoga studios, restaurants, and projects like podcast photoshoots, family sessions, pet photography, and event coverage. If you choose us as your photographer, it will be our pleasure to work with you—or, if needed, refer you to another expert in our network.

The problem we solve for our clients is simple: we take professional photos so you no longer have to rely on selfies, a tripod, or asking your significant other for that perfect shot. With 16 years of experience in the field, we bring both our technical expertise and creative vision to each session, ensuring that the moments you wish to capture last forever.

For clients who’ve dedicated time and effort to getting in the best shape of their lives, we specialize in capturing their physique in stunning locations like the beach, nature, and gyms, turning their hard work into gorgeous, professional photos.

If you’re looking to elevate the photos you use for social media profiles or even dating apps, we’ll work with you to capture shots that bring out your best. Can we guarantee that you’ll find the love of your life? Maybe. But we can certainly help you put your best foot forward!
Got a new hairstyle or outfit you want to showcase in a photo? We’ve got you covered. Need professional photos of your business to share on social media? We can help with that, too.

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what you think sets you apart from others:
My experience in the film and TV production industry has provided me with a strong foundation to transform every photo into an exceptional product, combining storytelling, technical expertise, and creative vision.

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What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc:
I am incredibly proud of all my previous work. It may sound a bit egocentric, but I genuinely enjoy going through the photographs in my portfolio, especially on Instagram, where we pair them with amazing songs for our posts. We take great pride in both the work we do and the team that makes it all happen.
While I’m typically the one behind the camera, I’m fortunate to have an incredible team who supports me with photo processing, admin work, and post-production. Although everything requires my final approval before it reaches our clients, I wouldn’t be able to achieve what I have without their help.
By the way, if you’re interested in joining our team, don’t hesitate to reach o

The most important thing I want potential followers and clients to know about our brand and our work is that everything we do is built on a foundation of love and passion for what we create. I’d even go as far as to say it’s become an obsession. I absolutely love the entire process—meeting new clients, capturing the photos, retouching, and editing to make each image as stunning as possible for our clients.
I realized just how deep this passion runs when I found myself so immersed in editing photos or growing the brand that I would forget to sleep or eat. This project is not just a job; it’s something I live and breathe every day.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Our mission is to become Miami’s most trusted photography service, specializing in fitness photography, fashion photography, swimwear photography, lifestyle photography, headshots, and more.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele is by connecting with people on Instagram and engaging with individuals we encounter on the street who have a style that aligns with our brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://miamifitphotos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamifitphotos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561389423552&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3jow8Vr1MOSovuEpOzxBEw
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miamifitphotos?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits

Santiago Marino – Miami Fit Photos