Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlana Semenza.
Marlana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was a photography major in college. (Yes! we actually exist!) Six months before I graduated, I got a job as the Assistant to the Director of Photography with WWE (WWF at the time). They held the job for me while I went back to finish my last semester. I graduated, got on a tour bus and spent the next three years seeing 32 states and 3 countries (often more than once) with WWE. This experience taught me about storytelling and creating personas. It was actually my first introduction to brand creation.
Fast forward and I began working freelance with a small cartoon and animation company. (I had an illustration minor.) There were only three of us at the core. We did work for Warner Brothers, the Munsters Comic Book, the Tom and Jerry comic strip as well as many limited edition animation cels. Working with them got me out to Comic-Con in San Diego. If you thought pro wrestling was an eye-opener, you’ve never been to Comic-Con! Lol! This experience taught me that the only limitation is imagination and how to think like there is no box.
Forward again and I worked as a designer and set stylist. I also did some location scouting during this time. I freelanced for Ethan Allen, working on their magazines, style books, NY Times ads and training videos for their designers. I also did freelance work for This Old House, Woman’s Day and Taunton Press. This experience taught me much about advertising and marketing.
All the while, I was photographing everything you can imagine. Weddings, portraits, kids, families, professional sports, auto racing…you name it.
Now, I pull from all of these experiences to tell my client’s stories in a unique way through personal brand photography. However, I believe a better description of what I do to be biographical portraits. I believe everyone deserves to be SEEN.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Lol. Not even a little. Photography, like many fields, is largely male-dominated. That in itself can bring many expected and unexpected external challenges (from men as well as other women). Internally, when you work in the arts, I believe you have to develop a bit of a thicker skin. Everything you create is a piece of you. And each and every time, you are putting that piece of you up for critique and criticism (both wanted and unwanted.) I was also very timid early in my career and let opportunities pass me by out of fear. My advice? Always continue learning, growing and exploring new ideas and techniques. Learn from what others in your industry are doing, but do not copy. As Bruce Lee said ‘take what is useful, reject what is not and then make it uniquely your own.’ Seize opportunities because they may only come along once. Don’t ever take career or business advice from someone who you’d be unwilling to trade places with. Cultivate deep relationships along the way. It will only help you. And if you have a drive to do something… create, sing, work in a particular field… just keep going. Be focused on your goal, connect with people that can help you get there, and don’t stop until you do.
What should we know about Marlana Semenza Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a biographical portrait photographer. Some may refer to it as personal brand photography. I create visual assets for clients whose success is directly linked to their visibility and image. I have photographed high-level entrepreneurs, athletes, public figures, Miss NC and Miss USA.
My strength is in the way I connect with people, the way I see them. I’m fascinated by people and their stories. I have to have a conversation with and get to know someone a bit before I will photograph them. I laugh and say ‘I need to be able to fall in love with my clients’ but this has truth to it. If I can’t ‘fall in love’ with who they are, then I can’t get their audience to fall in love with them either. This is a partnership to me. We are in this together. I become a confidant, a cheerleader, a fan as well as an image storyteller.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I’ve been inspired by too many to list! Admittedly, many are women. Women who have overcome obstacles, who are breaking barriers, who are being a voice for others, women who simply claw their way through challenges and struggles every day that go unnoticed by many. To me, just look around. Have conversations. These women are not hard to find.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marlanasemenza.com
- Phone: 919-390-1914
- Email: info@marlanasemenza.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlana.semenza.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marlana-Semenza-Photography-129332310573483
- Other: Podcast is upcoming. The title is Beyond The Lens : Stories That Unite Us (beyondthelens.com)
Image Credit:
photo of me: Claire Harvey Photography, All the rest of the images are mine: Marlana Semenza Photography
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