We recently connected with Marlana Semenza and have shared our conversation below.

Marlana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Back in 2020, when we all were plunged into captivity, many industries came to a grinding halt. Photography was one of them. (As you know…it’s kind of an in-person experience!).

During this time, a fellow photographer and I played around with Virtual Photography. For me, it stuck and has become one of the services I offer. It allows me to work with clients anywhere in the world and still get them great images and content!

Everything on this page of my website was taken virtually and most of these clients I have never met in person.

https://www.marlanasemenza.com/virtualphotography

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure! I was a photography major in college. Upon graduation, I stepped on to a tour bus with WWE and began an adventure and a career. I also freelanced for a cartoon company and we produced the Munsters comic book, the Tom & Jerry comic strip and limited edition animation cels. I also did freelance work for This Old House, Woman’s Day and Ethan Allen doing set styling and design work as well as location scouting. I have worked on NY Times ads, style books and magazines. Now, I tie all of those experiences into the work I do for clients.

I work with clients in one of 4 industries….athletics, entertainment, pageant/model, and entrepreneur. While I am a photographer, the business that I am in is the reputation business and the problem I solve is both anonymity and ambiguity. I help my clients stand out and steer their reputation in a clear and purposeful way. I’m definitely not a fit for everyone, but those people I do work with have a partner in me for the long haul. Our relationship goes far beyond image creation as I will also make introductions and look for opportunities for them. The most concise way I can put it is, ‘I’ve got them.’ I’m that kind of support.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I mentioned….COVID was the great leveler. So many of us had to figure out a different way to do what we love. The good news is, I believe it gave many newer entrepreneurs a chance to see early on where the holes could potentially be so they could plug them early.

For me, the pivot was virtual photography and it will remain a staple in my offers.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Reputation is everything. The way you treat people matters. The only thing we cannot manufacture more of is time, so I am intentional with it and when I speak to or spend time with clients (since we are discussing business practices). I am focused on them and only them. No phone, no disruptions. My attention is undivided. I care about what matters to them and want to help them achieve their goals. I am a safe space for any discussion they want to have. I also know that from a legal standpoint, the images we create are mine. (It’s true!). But, from an ethical standpoint, I don’t operate that way. This is about them and their reputation and because of that, I have images of clients that will never see the light of day on my end for a variety of reasons. I will also not post a client’s photo before they do. We build a lot of trust and I do not take that, or the fact that they chose me, lightly. Ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marlanasemenza.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlana.semenza.photo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlanasemenza/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marlanasemenza

Image Credits
The photograph of me was taken by Claire Harvey. The BTS was taken by Lisa Batson. The rest were all mine.