Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mariana Pierce. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mariana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

A few years ago I attended my best friend’s wedding. It was a destination wedding held at a garden during springtime. My whole family was invited and among all that I packed – I decided to bring my old and fun point and shoot film camera. I had taken photography classes in high school and every once and then I still carried my camera with me.

I snapped very few photos during her wedding, but still good ones during key moments. One at their exit during ceremony, one as they entered the garden, one of them dancing. I got close, I went for the shot. I loved my friend so much I felt I needed to get 5 perfect images for her, for me, for the stories we’d tell.

A few weeks later I sent her the 6 images, and a little bit sorry I spent so much time dancing and eating and not having more memories to share. She was ecstatic, literally. She immediately changed all her profile photos to one of the ones I sent and started telling me how much she loved them. I smiled and felt happy and kept on with my 9 to 5 work life. But that was not the end of it.
She called a few months after and told me how many compliments she had received form my photos. Yes, from those simple 6-7 images. She told me I should go deeper into photography because I had an eye for it. Being a bit introverted I changed the subject and laughed off her idea. Too much attention to my small gift. I thought the wedding intensity would wear off and I wouldn’t hear more of it. But was I ever wrong. My friend was persistent. It took her a year but she finally got me to go into photography school.
And that as was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, between photography and me, because my bestie already was. Good things call out to better things, and she gave me an even bigger gift: a way of living, of seeing, of loving.

Photography was and is my calling and her wedding was the start of it all…

Mariana, 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?

Hi! I’m Mariana Pierce. I am a destination wedding photographer focused on celebrations with a modern and artful approach. My style is a mix of editorial/journalistic/and realness.

I speak English, Spanish and French and have photographed weddings all throughout the US, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Guatemala and Italy.

I studied Business Administration and then did a Masters Degree in Tourism in Madrid, working in corporate for a couple of years before changing gears to Photography as a new career.

On this new path I am proud to have been named one of the Top 30 Photographers’s in the World by NY’s Rangefinder Magazine in 2021, a very prestigious award I am humbled by. And on 2022 I was awarded a place on Over the Moon’s coveted The List, on which less than 40 photographers around the world are chosen among hundreds as top artists and creators of exclusive weddings.
I have been featured by ELLE Australia, The Cut by NY Magazine, Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Hooray Australia, Over the Moon, Wedding Chicks. The Knot, Carats and Cakes, The Venue Report, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, etc.

These awards along with my client’s preference make me feel very proud of the realness of my company. Of the high energy that rises up to the occasion, of the artistry perceived in the magic of every couple and reflected as unique as they are. I am proud in making my clients feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful, in making them laugh. I am proud to reflect who they are as individuals and as a couple and I am proud to give them a worthy forever memory of their amazing day.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Not every client is for you and you are not for every client. There’s power in staying true to yourself and your business. Identifying who you can work for and with as a team is one of the most important lessons in any job.

In photography and even more in wedding photography, the relationship between clients and photographer -in my case- goes beyond work. Trust, creative freedom, communication, setting and surpassing expectations and also a laid back relaxed environment on which emotions can be shown throughout the day are elements I value immensely.

Going above and beyond for a client what my business is based on, and what I believe business should be based on too, but be selective on who you are going to climb mountains and swim oceans for, you will need to have them meet you halfway and be all in for a mutual beneficial experience. Stay away from price or bargain seekers, from contract breakers, from those who seem always looking at the bad things of life. Stay away from clients who want to change your style, from feuding families if you can. Stay away from couples where you can’t find love in. You cannot show what’s not there.

Stay close to those who show respect for others, to the ones confident in themselves, to those who value life, elders, animals. To the ones in love, the ones who laugh, the ones who trust you with their story. And hold tight on to them, these clients are gold and you’ll tell the best stories with them!

Finally remember you can find out a lot about a person on the way they write, express themselves, talk, etc… Trust your gut. Look for kind and honest humans.Look for features you would look for in a friend. You are to treat clients are friends and if you’re lucky enough, they’ll become ones for life!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pierceweddings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pierceweddings/

Image Credits
Credit of photographer’s photo is Karrah Leigh Photography All other photos are property of Pierce Wedding Photography