Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Marlo.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My great grandfather bought me my first camera as a young girl in the 80’s. I was so excited to start capturing the world from my view. Photography immediately became an obsession for me. The cost of becoming a professional photographer in the 90’s caused for me to head away from the profession, keeping it just a hobby.
With only a small handy cam with a low pixel rate, I started my travels and explorations across country capturing everything from breathtaking landscapes to full abandoned towns. In the early 2000’s I started a myspace page to showcase my travels to friends, family, and anyone who loved photography. One day shortly after posting some of my new explorations on MS I received a message from a professional photographer who was located in L.A. His name was Idris. Idris briefly explained in his message how much he admired my images, my eye, and my ambition. Over a couple of months, we discussed my low pixel camera and what I would need if I ever wanted to jump into the professional world of photography. At the time I had never considered becoming a professional photographer I had a career I was very happy with.
One day I received a message from Idris I will never forget. He says “Stephanie! I have a slightly used professional Nikon D70 with a lens that I want you to have. I have been blessed with a whole new camera kit and would like to pass that same gift on to you.” I think it’s important to say, we had never met in person only spoken back and forth on MS. He drove from LA to Vegas to drop the camera off with me. We met at a Taco Bell where he gave me my very first DSLR. After about 30 mins of talking imagery, he left for his drive home. I was shocked! A stranger putting that much care into my hobby. It was an amazing moment. From there I dove into my photography in a way I never had. I shared more images and stories. I began booking with small time actors, models, businesses whoever in Vegas and LA for trade shoots to build my professional portfolio.
It wasn’t until 2006 that I could confidently start charging for my talent. Along the way, I met some unique individuals who helped me in capturing some once in a lifetime images. While in LA and Las Vegas I met Eric who is still to this day an epic BMX rider and Wendy a classically styled pin-up model/actress, Jersey my adventure partner, George a fire breather who ventured into the desert with me at sunset. Those are just a few of the people out west who provided great content for me to learn, grow and build my trade. By 2006 I had driven cross country taking photos of abandoned buildings and towns stretching Route 66 about 8 times (I’ve since lost count…Maybe 30 times).
When the economy fell I traveled back home to Atlanta. With my career at a halt, I started pondering on other skills I had gained over the years, fields I could see being successful for me. BOOM photography! Art and photography were always viewed as hobbies for me so viewing them as a means to makes ends meet was a scary place to be.
Around that time, I met another person who would add to my world in a positive way. Woody and I bonded through our love of life and capturing moments for others to experience. We became very close as friends and decided to form Marlo Mason Photography. That is when I became very driven with the idea of photography as a career.
Within that time I worked on set with the Ying-Yang twins in the O4W for the filming of their Big Butts remix. Together Woody, Steve, Matt and myself put together and ran the green screen photo booth at Atlantic Stations, Containment Haunted Exhibit. I was able to also work with, AirSpeed footwear, Ricky Fontain, N.E.M and many others.
In 2014, Woody and I dissolved Marlo Mason and Artist Life Vision Photography was born. Matt and I vigorously designed the website and social media to match my new photography companies brand. Since branching off on my own I have been published in two magazines, worked on numerous film sets, captured 1,000’s of event photos from large fire events to themed cosplay nights, art exhibits to the people of Edgewood ave in the O4W. We held our very first winter wonderland set last December for Photos with Krampus. Yes, we had a fully costumed Krampus. I also have 1,000’s of images related to historical preservation such as the school formerly located in the EAV, milk carton plant formerly on Memorial drive, the old Atlanta utility works building in East point the list goes on and on. For a short period, due to funding, I also started a video series entitled #OurAtlanta. Due to funding, I was only able to release some of the many interviews I had planned but still the video interviews released are very inspirational. I was able to interview some of the amazing people of Atlanta who have thrived within the business and art community. I love my job!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road absolutely has obstacles, daily. Some of the more prominent challenges with the photography industry for me are keeping up with the technology upgrade cost, equipment maintenance cost while still maintaining a reasonable price for my services. A positive with DSLR vs film rolls would be the cost. However, with an ever-growing demand for quality cameras in phones, the market has changed once again. Now the daily debate for me is service rate which can become a huge debate amongst photographers. In the average consumer’s eye and wallet, my rates are unknowingly compared to the rates of a claimed “photographer” who only use their phones with special lenses or a student who can discount rates because they are using a camera signed out of their school. Now they may produce the desired product for cheaper but it undercuts the talent, knowledge, and budget that is required to be a true professional in the field.
Another challenge comes with time management. Like any other industry, this is a business as must be directed as such. I have to really think about how often I use my cameras for personal time or discounted photo shoots, as my maintenance cost matter. Every click counts on a camera. Concepts rush through my head daily for new content. The cost of set builds, assistant photographers, equipment use etc can become overbearing if not executed properly. I save those concepts for my clients now instead of working with tons of models at my cost of time and equipment and props.
Relationships are another obstacle. Developing new ones, maintaining old ones and knowing when to cut off a connection are always task when growing. Without a large support system over the years I wouldn’t be where I am today doing this interview. My relationships with people matter the most in my life. We can affect each other’s lives so easily I think it’s important to treat every interaction with care.
Money.Time. Relationships. Ya know the basics
When you look back, what are you most proud of?
For me, I cannot really pinpoint one moment being the proudest of my career so far. What I can tell you is overall I am very proud of all of the moments that have built Artist Life Vision. I am proud of all of the people who have stepped in front of my camera to help create great moments. I am proud of the life I have experienced to share. They all intertwine to be a proud moment I call my life.
Were there moments when you had to struggle?
Absolutely! Struggle plays a part of every human life. For entrepreneurs, we add sacrifice to the already existing day to day struggles and consider that baggage to be the best gift ever. The idea of struggle to me is a double edged sword. I have very high expectations for myself so even on the best days, I have moments I find myself struggling.
Years ago when I moved back to Atlanta from out west I came home with nothing more than what fit in my Scion and a few dollars. My best friend offered me an air mattress in his living room. Upset broke and feeling what most were in the nation at the time I jumped at the opportunity for a bed outside of my dad’s house. I had my desktop, laptop, camera and a lot of new knowledge but not much else to start with. To get back on my feet I worked as a landscaper for my family and friends. About a week into being back I woke up to a sharp pain and itching on both of my arms! As I started to become conscious, at about the same moment I realized two things. First, the air mattress had lost almost all of its air overnight and had engulfed me in it. Second, I am highly allergic to poison ivy and had mutant arms from the yard work!
Broke, looking like a mutant, accepting help from others and knowing it was a huge mountain I had to climb from there was a dark place. That whole year was a huge struggle. At 35 years old I can fill a biography book filled with only the struggles of my life. Like I was telling a friend the other day, in the blink of an eye everything can change for the better. No matter how dark of a place your mind may take you always keep a small sight of light for those moments that make all of the struggle worth the reward!
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
Atlanta is a tough city that greets with a smile. Like all large cities, more people equals more talents. Some are brilliant hobbyist others are professionals and entrepreneurs. I grew up here. I love meeting new people, sharing knowledge, networks, neat locations for exploring so yes our city is a good place for me. Although I am leery with the current changes I am seeing around Little 5 points, Inman park, EAV, The Virginia Highlands and Decatur. Atlanta has always had a charm about it, a beautiful southern city with endless nature and all 4 seasons. Without the charming trees and old architecture, they may just push this artist interest to another city quickly.
For anyone starting out it really depends on if you have the nature of city networking and pushing past rejections to the next step. Atlanta can make or break you like I said at the beginning it is a tough city that greets with a smile. This city provides tons of opportunity for growth if you have the social skills, talent, and means or drive to survive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ArtistLifeVision.com
- Phone: 678.837.6095
- Email: Info@artistlifevision.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistlifevision
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artistlifevisionphotography
