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

Marissa, 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.

Every session or project that has served people in their purpose is meaningful to me. Some of the most rewarding clients who were those who were starting a business they had always dreamed of, helping people with disabilities or equipping impoverished women in various countries.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I was child I have enjoyed photographing nature and the captivating beauty the Creator displays in the small moments on any given day. When I look through the lens, my focus is on how life and light meet – which I believe allows me to capture the emotion that each photo demands.

After finishing my studies at Emory University and New York Institute of Photography, I continued to develop and hone my skills as a photographer. Taking every opportunity to shoot and explore the intricacies of the images I captured. Doing so, taught me to craft each image from the story within the moment, using my camera sort of like a visual pen to bring the client’s vision to life. My eyes see beyond the basic composition of a shot and into the heart of my subject’s story. This is what I feel sets me apart from other photographers, if I do say so myself :)

So whether it’s an artist looking to interpret the essence of their sound for an album cover, an entertainer that wants to capture the interactive moments with their fans, a blogger that just needs that “something special” to give their brand a visual voice, or a corporate event designer trying to find the perfect photographer to tell the story of their branded event, look no further.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the business of freelance photography I’ve certainly learned to pivot and take every opportunity to develop and explore this craft. There have been times I thought there was a certain direction I wanted to go until I got into it. I’ve learned you just don’t know sometimes until you try. Especially, in this creative space. I’ve even had to take a break to reset in my business and discover where my passion for photography was actually rooted. I have also learned to keep going even when the way isn’t as clear as I would like, just taking one step of faith at a time.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The resource of seasoned photographers and their connections has proven to be so beneficial. It’s important to cheer on fellow photographers as we are all growing and need encouragement along the challenging journey. Being willing to listen and share tips with others in my creative circle has kept me growing and ultimately more well-rounded in my career and personally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marissajeanphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissajeanphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissajeanphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-schmidt-473b9045

Image Credits
David Carr Photography