We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marissa Herrman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

I started my passion in highschool, I worked as an athletic trainer and was always up close and personal to athletes during games. My mom got a Nikon 5500 kit from Costco, and the day she got it I was very eager to learn how to use it. It came with a base model 200mm lens, and one day I thought, “hmm I want to take pictures while I’m on the field at games”. I started my first photography instagram primarily with fun photos of my sister in the backyard, my dogs, and lots of action sports shots. From there, I started doing people’s highschool graduation pictures for $100 and I would go pick them up, plan two locations and that was the start of MRH photography.

Marissa, 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 spent most of my 20s pursuing a career in the nursing field. I earned a degree in kinesiology, and while bartending to support myself, I started doing photography on the side. It began casually, but soon I was booking weddings and taking on marketing gigs for local businesses.

Eventually, I had this overwhelming feeling in my chest—like a truth I couldn’t ignore—that healthcare just wasn’t the right path for me. It was incredibly hard to let go of, especially after investing so much time and energy into school. But it felt like one obstacle after another, and in October, I made the decision to step away from healthcare entirely and fully commit to growing my small business.

Since then, I’ve booked 7 weddings for 2025. That might not seem like a lot to some, but considering I shot just 2 weddings last year, it’s a big milestone for me. I’ve poured countless hours into building my brand, refining my style, and creating a more intentional and professional experience for clients.

I used to just take a deposit and show up. Now, I guide my clients through a fun and collaborative planning process. Questionnaires have been a game changer. Vision boards, wardrobe consultations—they all help shape the final product. But no amount of prep replaces the skill of being quick on the shutter and capturing those fleeting, in-between moments. I’m very intentional when I shoot—probably because I started on film. So even if your kids are melting down and you think, “Did she get anything good?”—chances are, we got so many gems. I always tell my clients, “Photos are a split second.”

I love bringing activities to family sessions—especially with little kids. Keeping them moving and engaged always leads to the most authentic photos.

As my business has grown, I’ve felt more and more drawn to wedding photography. Weddings fly by, and with my 10 years of bartending experience, I thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. I love creating on the fly, whether my brain is buzzing or blank—those are the moments I feel most alive and where my best work shines. I like pushing creative boundaries and trying new things. Of course, I get all the classic shots, but my goal is always to capture your day in a way that feels like your day—not just a highlight reel for Instagram. I want your photos to bring you right back into the colors, the emotion, and the love of it all.

One of my favorite parts of shooting weddings is working with like-minded second shooters. It’s so true that teamwork makes the dream work—I couldn’t shoot weddings the way I do without a solid teammate. I also love attending wedding rehearsals or venue walk-throughs. They help me visualize everything ahead of time—where to do family photos, where the champagne tower is going, how the light moves through the space. It makes such a difference.

Of course, I still get imposter syndrome, and I doubt myself sometimes. But when I look back at where my business was just six months ago, I feel so proud. I’m creating art for a living—and that’s everything.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your photos printed, watching your save the dates go out, and hearing your feedback—it’s what helps me grow. Sometimes I still pause and think, “I’m getting paid to create something people truly love.” That feeling never gets old. I especially love working with clients who connect with my style and come to me because they want my perspective. It’s an incredible feeling—one I don’t take for granted.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I’ve always believed in the saying, “less is more.” Sure, it’s great to have the best equipment—but what really matters is how you use it. When I was 16, a friend of mine who’s since passed away gave me a little manual camera lesson. I remember going on and on about all the lenses and gear I wanted, and he stopped me and said something I’ll never forget: “Photography isn’t about the gear—it’s about the person behind the camera.”

That stuck with me. For bigger weddings, I’ll rent the gear I truly need, but most of the time, I love creating with what I already have. Eventually, I know I’ll need to take a big leap of faith and invest in newer equipment—but I try to stay focused on what’s essential, not just what’s shiny and new.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mrh-photo.com
• Instagram: mrhphxto