Hello everyone! I’ve never really been one to write anything, (except for entries in my diary) but I HAVE been known to talk A LOT, about anything and everything. I realized that starting a blog that incorporates my life and photography would be the perfect way for my clients to not only get to know me, but also see behind the scenes of some of my favorite sessions, get helpful tips for their photoshoots, and share fun lifestyle for the Richmond and surrounding areas!
Some of you may know that one of the things that piqued my interest in photography and cameras was the YouTube channel I started when I was 14. I filmed the typical 2010s content including beauty, fashion, and vlogs, and I was able to do a lot with it (including some really cool brand deals) for about 10 years until my account was hacked. It seemed to be a blessing in disguise because even though I really loved filming, it did take a lot of time and effort that I just wasn’t able to keep up with at that point in my life. Now, I dedicate a lot of my free time to my photography business in the hopes of having it soon become my full-time gig. And as I get closer and closer to that, I want to connect more with the people I serve, and give myself a little creative outlet as well! Like I said before, I'm more of a talker than a writer, so this is new to me, but I’m SO excited to give you all a little sneak peek into my mind and what I create. And so, Mar’s Mind was born~!
I also recently changed my business name from MNA Photo to Memories by Marlena LLC. For me, this new name gives more insight into what I do, just with two words! I make memories for people, something I’ve had a passion for since taking my first client photos. My first name is a very important part of my business, not only because it is literally my name, but because I was named after my grandmother. My grandma, Marlene, is an amazing watercolor and acrylic painter. She’s also been known to bead and make jewelry, among other crafts. So I’ve always been honored to be named after her, and I like to think she gave me some of her artistic talent. She’s also super sweet and is basically the kind of grandmother that anyone would want.
Along with my new aesthetic comes a new, unique, logo! I have a lot of practice in graphic design, (since that’s where I actually started my photography journey) so I’m very proud to create this logo that better fits my mission. Here it is~!
Yay! I love it so much! I love that each piece represents something important to me. Let me break it down for you:
The Cat - I LOVE cats! I’m a cat lady at heart. I didn’t have this love until a lost kitten was placed in my lap. My cat Gooby is now one of the most important things in my life. My boyfriend actually gave me the idea of including him in my logo!
The Moon & Stars - They make me feel infinite, (thank you Fault in Our Stars) and so small at the same time. Even when we’re gone, the moon and stars will be here. Time is precious, every moment counts, and it’s SO important to capture it.
The Greenery - Representative of life, growth, and a continuous cycle. Never ending. Green is also my favorite color!
Another thing I’ve been creating is an updated website to fit my new aesthetic, display my work, and make it easy for my clients to navigate the booking process. It’s difficult at times because I can be a bit of a perfectionist and compare myself waaay too much. However, I keep making little improvements here and there, and truly, I always enjoy creating. So, if you’re reading this, please bear with me through these little construction periods, I promise it will all be worth it in the end!
If you made it this far, thank you SO much for taking the time to read my very first blog! I’m very excited about moving forward with this and already have so many ideas, but if you’d like to see anything specific, please head over to my Instagram and feel free to leave a comment in my “Mar’s Mind” blog highlight!
Thank you all again and I’ll be back for another blurb very soon!
xx Marlena
