Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Gomez.
Hi Marina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been interested in photography. Maybe, because of my friends back home (I am originally from Ukraine). I happened to be surrounded by people who have in some way been connected to photography/videography and now they are pretty well known in their areas as well.
It felt like I know how I would want my images to look and I would think about the ways I would pose if it were me behind the camera. 5 Christmases ago my husband bought me a new mirror camera. I have been playing here and there but something didn’t click.
I preferred using my iPhone (which has really stepped its game up in the last few years) and was edited in a free Lightroom app for the phone.
Something happened last year that turned my world upside down. A new friendship was born. This girl is an established photographer. She saw some of my work on my phone and asked me if I took some maternity pictures for her with her camera.
I did. Then edited and she loved them. Well, my husband saw all that was going on and decided to invest in me and I got the best camera and lens I could find. I spent a weekend buried in YouTube and Instagram and Google I guess too doing my research and it paid off.
I opened my business officially last June. Getting clients here and there, I was working on finding my style, creating props, and designing styled shoots. By fall I had so many bookings, I was working every day. And looooved it.
Now I’m still as passionate about what I do as I was when I started. My brain is constantly adjusting and thinking about new things to create. I still can’t believe sometimes I’m here now. I’m loving what I do and I have so much room to grow.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The beginning was a bit stressful. Even though I’m used to working with kids and families (former teacher) it was a challenge to win them over within a limited period of time. But giving you all is really the only way.
I haven’t really had trouble figuring out settings, I paid for the camera to do the work for me when I set things a certain way. I am focused on the moments I see and catch and it really opened a new world for me.
Figuring out the routine and flow of pre and post-session work was something else I needed to establish, and that took some time and patience as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer in the military world. The unknown and crazy schedules, last-minute sessions before deployment, and military homecomings that send everyone crying are where I thrive.
The atmosphere might seem hectic and stressful but it is my job to make it memorable and happy and I would not trade it for the world. I’m proud of being able to navigate both my family and work with some help I can get with kids, sometimes.
What matters most to you? Why?
Two things absolutely not connected to each other:
– The highest quality of images that my clients can blow up as they please.
– And that I can share this passion of mine with my kids. They learn to help and adjust to unpredictable circumstances when they come along. And it’s just so precious.
Pricing:
- My Full session is $180
- Minis are $100
Contact Info:
- Website: MarinaGomezPhotography.com
- Instagram: @marinagomezphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarinaGomezPhotography
