We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marissa Carne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Marissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
For about the past nine years I have been building what was then a hobby into what is now becoming my dream job. I’ve freelanced in the entertainment industry Since graduating from college, I’ve freelanced in the entertainment industry operating camera for sitcoms, reality tv, courtshows, sports broadcast and digital media. Photography had always been my side hustle, my creative outlet, and my “maybe one day full time thing”. Over the years, I’ve dedicated my weekends and free time to my craft and invested in further education by attending in-person photography summits and online learnings- constantly being motivated by fellow photographers who were absolutely killing it in the field. Several months ago, I became one of the many victims of the tech layoffs and essentially lost my crutch of a full time job. The easiest choice was to join the job hunt, filling out applications and sending resumes to the many contacts I’ve made over the years. However, I dreaded that process and I knew deep down I wouldn’t be happy in another 9-5 job. This ended up being the sign I needed and the motivation to propel me forward with my photography business.
During this time I’ve been grinding and getting all my ducks in a row to make this a sustainable business. Everything from crunching my numbers, to rebuilding my website and reworking seo, to adapting a CRM into my workflow to help with organization of clients, bookings, legal items like contracts and releases and email automations.
It’s been a grind, but I know in my heart and my head that I was given a golden opportunity to make my dream job a reality. It’s still very new, and a struggle every day. But how else will you know if you can make it if you don’t try? Well I’m trying, and I’m determined to succeed.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I didn’t discover photography until college when I took a darkroom course, you know- with actual black and white film. I fell in love with it instantly. I changed my major from graphic design to photography the next semester. In that first class I also met a student that was a film major and he convinced me to chat with one of the professors so I could take a Cinematography course. From there, my passion in storytelling and visual imagery was born. Between the two industries I never felt off course, but rather understood it to be the roadmap that led me to discover my brand that is still evolving to this day.
I specialize in family photography in all life stages; engagements, maternity, newborn, and on. I love being able to capture these moments for couples and families to cherish and look back on forever. Moments in time you can never get back, but you can transport yourself to that memory again and again. I love being able to do that for them, and growing with them each year or milestone. It’s really rewarding.
But if that wasn’t enough, I added another notch to my belt. One that I’m surprised I hadn’t discovered sooner- Dramatic sports portraits. Coming from a sports focused family and having played soccer year round growing up, this felt like another calling. Visually, it’s a very different style as I’m using HSS strobes and special effects, but it is still very fun and creatively challenging. Using my knowledge of lighting that I’ve gained over the years in television and learning some new techniques from fellow photographers that I look up to, I was able to have a go at this style. I enjoy building up young athletes, helping them find their confidence and look like superheroes. Seeing their reactions to the images we create on site is priceless, further enhancing that confidence, leading to even better images that tell their true story.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The entirety of my photography career has always been word of mouth. I believe this is the most powerful thing because who you you trust more- someone you know and value their opinion and experience? Or someone you found on the internet by doing a search?
Would I like to show up on the first page of a Google Search? Absolutely, and hopefully in time that will happen for me to drive more clients in. But for now, word of mouth has gotten me to where I am today, and it’s a powerful way to drive business and trust.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
There’s a saying- do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. I’ve found that. I thoroughly enjoy having a camera in my hands and creating visually stunning images. To have the bonus of making your clients happy and seeing the joy on their faces when they see what you’ve created, is extremely rewarding for me.
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