We were lucky to catch up with Piero Manriq recently and have shared our conversation below.

Piero, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

For years, I subscribed to the notion that success in my field was all about the hustle: staying constantly busy, booking all the weddings I could get, and filling up my social media with as much work as possible. It’s a common mindset, especially in the gig economy where the hustle is glorified. However, in the past few years, my perspective on success has undergone a deep shift.

There was a pivotal moment when this realization came to me. I was working with a couple whose love story and wedding vision resonated deeply with me. Instead of treating their wedding as just another gig on a Saturday, I approached it as a collaborative art project. I took the time not only to understand their vision but also to immerse myself in it, to feel inspired by it.

The result was transformative. I poured my heart and soul into capturing their special day, approaching each shot with a sense of purpose and creativity. The photos we produced together weren’t just images; they were visual narratives that captured the essence of their love story.

The joy, gratitude, and tears on their faces when they received their photos were more rewarding than anything else could ever be. It was in that moment that I realized true success isn’t measured by how busy I am or how many clients I serve, but by the impact I make on the lives of others and the legacy of artistry I leave behind.

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?

Well, it all started with my big Latin-American family and their lively gatherings. As an introvert who’s not much of a dancer, I found myself drawn to observing everyone else. And at 14, I picked up my first camera and started capturing those carefree moments on film. Fast forward a decade, I found myself at my first wedding. The emotions, the laughter, the tears – it was all there, and I was hooked.

My style is a mix of storytelling and being a silent observer. I’m all about blending into the background, capturing genuine moments without interrupting the flow of events. Ironically, I am camera shy, so I understand that being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking. That’s why I’m behind it, making sure everything is documented with ease and authenticity.

Another key aspect of my photos is my editing process. I don’t subscribe to trends that make everything unnaturally bright or give heavy orange/green tints to the photos. I like a warm, classic, timeless style that will still look good 50 years from now.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The years 2020 and 2021 proved to be challenging for gig workers across the board, and I was no exception. Faced with dwindling opportunities and a need to adapt, I made the bold decision to seek out new horizons and explore different markets. That’s how I found myself in Seattle – a city I had never set foot in before.

With the move, I couldn’t bring along all my photography gear, which initially left me feeling a bit uneasy. Yet, as I embraced the unfamiliarity of my surroundings, something interesting happened. I discovered that having fewer tools at my disposal actually opened up a world of creative possibilities.

With fewer gadgets to rely on, I honed on the essence of photography – capturing the raw beauty of split-second moments, the genuine emotions of the people around me, and the captivating allure of the nature that surrounded me. It was a liberating experience.

In this newfound simplicity, I found a renewed sense of creativity and freedom. Freed from the constraints of excess equipment, I was able to immerse myself fully in the magic of the moment, capturing images that felt organic, spontaneous, and true-to-life.

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

Getting referrals from happy clients has been amazing for my business growth. It’s such a great feeling knowing that they trusted me enough to recommend my work to their friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pieromanriq.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieromanriq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PieroManriqPhotography
• Other: https://liferoomsproject.com/