We were lucky to catch up with Marisa Demos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit since college. I worked primarily on Instagram collaborating with brands, doing UGC content creation and digital marketing. I was able to supplement some income while I finished my bachelors degree and I LOVED working for myself. Fast forward years later, a good friend of mine asked me to take some pictures of her and her newborn son, since the photographer she originally hired cancelled on her last minute. I picked up my very dusty, old DSLR camera and gave it my best shot. I posted the pictures and shortly after, my inbox flooded with inquiries. I realized the potential and opportunities I had, and I quickly had to figure out manual camera settings, poses, direction, composition, and how to market myself as a new photographer.
When it comes to going from the idea of something to executing it, I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and a driving factor of success. When I decided to take the plunge into photography, I immersed myself in education, from YouTube videos, to mentorships and practicing as much as I possibly could so I could have a solid foundation to my business. Invest in yourself and simply just start!
Marisa, 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?
I’m Marisa! I’m a corporate businesswoman by weekday, photographer entrepreneur by weekend and a new mom! I’ve always been the person to say “let’s take a picture!” at outings and parties- never did I think that I could make income from it one day. Taking photos of food and friends on my iPhone eventually blossomed into taking photos of loved ones and complete strangers who happened to find my photography social media pages.
The goal with my photography is to document timeless memories that tell my clients’ unique stories. My work is more than just about the images themselves- it’s about creating visual art! Through my photography, I’m preserving narratives, fostering genuine connections, and provide cherished photos that my clients can look back on and really feel the emotion- just like they did on the day that it was taken.
Client experience is also very important to me- if not the most important thing. I take the time to learn about the people who I’m working with beforehand, so that it’s more comfortable, natural, and so they feel like they can be their authentic selves without judgement around me. I want them to know that I genuinely care about them- not just about taking their photos. Another thing that sets me apart from other photographers is that I take a “prompting” approach to my sessions instead of making my clients stand there “posing” and looking stiff. I found that this approach loosens them up and it makes our sessions full of movement, fun and allows me to get candid shots full of genuine emotions.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
The growth of my account came from years of building and learning different marketing strategies, collaboration, digital marketing research and lots of trial and error. Two things that I’ve noticed that increase growth the fastest are consistency and quality content. When I say quality content- I mean content that represent you and your brand. You want to put yourself in the the shoes of the consumer, and ask yourself “does my content resonate with the type of client I want to attract” and “does my content provide value to my prospective clients?” With that being said, it is extremely important to be involved and engaged in the community of your niche or your “target audience”, this is a key factor in getting more exposure to your account, more inquiries to your inbox and conversions into sales.
My advice to those who are just starting to build a social media presence is to be active- follow hashtags, notice trends, reply to DMs and comments, and create content that invites interactions and conversations. Think about your personal style, approach, and what sets you apart from others in your area. This will guide your branding, marketing, and client interactions. Find a strategy that works for you but most importantly, market yourself, and don’t forget to be authentic to your true self. When it comes to business, your brand is the most valuable thing.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One of the biggest influences for starting to take photography seriously was when a close friend of mine asked me to take photos of her and her son. It made me realize how few photos I took with my mom prior to her passing, and how I wish I would have taken more time to capture even the littlest of moments with her. Doing photography and being able to capture special moments, especially family bonding, is something that is very fulfilling to me.
Having an outlet like photography that allows me to channel my creativity has been both exhilarating and rewarding. There is no better feeling than delivering a gallery to my clients and getting a positive, exciting reaction in return. Knowing that people trust me to document their lives and provide cherished keepsakes for them to look back on is one of the best parts about what I do. Being able to do photography is something that I will never take for granted.
Finding a mission or goal behind your business can really motivate you to do your best work. By having a mission that drives you, your work will be more purposeful, impactful, and rewarding. You’ll find that it not only shapes your creative vision but also helps you stand out in a saturated industry, build loyal client relationships, and stay motivated even through the challenges and uncertainty of running a photography business, or any business!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marisademosphotography.com
- Instagram: @marisademosphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564516923930&mibextid=LQQJ4d