Blogger Interview Series #4 | Photography by Marirosa

Blogger Interview Series: Photography by Marirosa

Marirosa is a photographer with over 10 years of experience specializing in weddings in the northern Virginia area and beyond. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she lived till she was almost nine, her first language is Spanish and she still loves salsa and merengue music!

How does your blog help with your photography business?
Through my blog, I not only reach potential clients but also creative business owners through my post. This allows me to stay in front of them on a continuous basis. I blog 4-5 times a week.

What advice would you give to a fellow photographer who is just starting out?
To believe in yourself and focus on your growth without comparison of others. You determine your definition of success.

What made you choose to specialize in wedding day photography?
I love to document a wedding day as it unfolds naturally and taking things as they come – it’s their love story, it’s documenting moments that will become part of their lives and generations to come.

What applications do you use to edit your photographs, if any?
Lightroom.

What has been your most read blog post and how did it gain so much traction?
I had a recent blog post sharing how to be more than a vendor to our clients. To make it personal so that their experience is even better. I had a great response from both my couples and industry professionals. I believe it gained traction because it was honest.

How do you gain more clients? What marketing do you partake in?
A lot of my business comes from referrals, both industry professionals and previous couples. My marketing includes blogging, Instagram, Facebook and other social media.

Photographers have a hard time pricing their services. What advice would you give when pricing?
Pricing can only be determined based on your experience and based on the services you can offer. You can’t compare your pricing to others as it’s never an equal comparison. You have to value your time as part of your pricing and many people don’t. Photographing an eight hour wedding day doesn’t stop at the ‘day of’.

Where do you see your business in another five years?
Continue with photographing 25 or so weddings a year with an extension of mentoring and workshops I launched this year in my company.

What has been your favorite moment while photographing thus far?
The moment a groom sees his bride walking up the aisle towards him, gets me every time. It’s such a raw emotional moment that is filled with all the feelings they’ve had leading up to that moment. During that time, in a room filled with so many, they only see each other.

How do you make your experience unique for your clients?
I try my best to make it a personal experience for all of my clients. I want them also to see me as a friend especially on their wedding day. When they know, they can trust me and at the same time focus on their wedding. Every couple is unique and remembering that every step of the way is what makes it a personalized experience.

What websites and/or blogs do you visit almost daily?
I enjoy a variety of blogs – Rising Tide Society, Natalie Franke Photography , and Jasmine Star .

You’ve lived in a couple of different countries, what was unique about each of them?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, moved to the U.S. when I was almost 10. I also lived in London during college. My heart always belongs in Puerto Rico, the vibe of the country and culture stay with you everywhere you go. London was amazing, I worked right by Buckingham Palace – the history surrounding London made me feel like I lived in a History book.

What is the biggest mistake you made when you starting your own business and how did you overcome it?
Compared myself to others and allowed myself to have my success determined by those around me. As my business grew, I learned that only I can determine my own success and once I accepted that my business grew.

If your life was going to be turned into a movie what actress would you want to be cast as yourself? Why?
This is a tough question – I would say, Angelina Jolie. She’s a business woman and such a giver to people. She’s strong willed and focused, she focuses on her family and always expresses herself based on her beliefs regardless what others may think.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
I don’t think I can choose a particular age. I’m 43 now, and I love being in my 40’s. It’s a different time in my life where you are more confident and have adapted to my ways. There are wonder things about each stage of life, living it to the fullest is the best option.

Describe yourself in four words.
Fun, Outgoing, Content, Real

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
I spend it with my kids Steven who’s 16 and Zoe who’s 11.

What is something you learned in the last week?
I’m continuously learning to be patient, to give things time to evolve. I continue to learn this every day.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you want to do?
I would love to be able to draw and paint! Something I can’t do either of! 🙂

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Susan Stripling – she’s an amazing photographer and business woman.