**All images in this post are copyright Marina Miller.***

NEXT WEEK: Jodie Otte

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Marina,  You have such a fun, relaxed feel to your images...I have a feeling part of that is because you live in Hawaii!  You are great at keeping your family first even as your business grows and grows.  You also seem to stay very down to earth about your success and rising popularity.  I'm so excited that you are here on Women and Business!

How long have you been a professional photographer?

I have been shooting people since I was 18.  I started in Waikiki photographing tourists. it gave me a good sense of self and I am able to cold talk anyone.  I tried out sports and commercial photography as an assistant.  A marriage and 3 kids later, I picked up my first slr and fell in love again.  My children inspired me to create portraits of who they were at the time. 

I dabbled in family photography and didn't really fall in love. Weddings are where it's at for me. I love the whole process. I love peoples stories and watching the day unfold. 

What drew you to photography?

Something deep inside me as a child drew me to the camera. It was just a whisper at first. Just a shutter clicking. Then as a teen it became an annoying song stuck in my head. F stops and chemical equations on repeat. And now with my career on full blast is a raging  roaring fire so loud I cant keep it out of all aspects of my life.

Are you in a retail space?  What made you decide on the space you have?

No.  I wish I could have a beautiful studio but the overhead would stress me out. 

Are you married?  How many children do you have?

Yes. I am married with 4 boys. 

How do you keep your photography business from invading your family life?

I would like to simply answer this with "my iPhone" but in reality I can't. Being mom and wife to a large family is difficult even with out a full time photography business. During the weekdays I concentrate on the boys, homework, dinner at the table, and hanging with my super helpful hubby. While the boys are at school and the baby is napping I can answer emails and edit.  My most productive time for editing is after everyone is in bed.  Living in Hawaii provides lots of excuses to be out of the house and off of the computer. This is where my iphone enters my life and saves the day. I can quickly reply to my clients from the beach and have my schedule on hand for inquiries.  Another huge reason why I can do it all is my babysitters. They are my husband and my mom and they are fabulous. I always know the boys are being taken care of and I am able to focus on my clients.

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?

 My workflow is as simple as it gets. Shoot in raw, keep the good ones, color and exposure correction, export. I do everything myself. Everything stays in house literally.

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

My blog plays a huge part in this aspect of my job.  Most of my clients read my blog. They know about "chunk" and our latest travels. They know I have shot their venue. They know  I will capture those amazing moments. My clients know me before we even meet. 

Do you have employees or assistant photographers that work with you or are you a one woman show?  Why?

I have only been using a lighting assistant for about a year now. Second shooters are awesome but I generally am a one woman show. I like my images best. I like to sell the client my work, not someone elses. 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

I recommend social networking. Twitter, flickr, and blogs are the best way to get to know other professionals. Find other women who's work you admire and ask them out for coffee or if you have kids a play date. If you click, offer to assist them on a job. Also, joining your local ppa or photography clubs is a good way to meet local photographers. I did a lot of research to find the products I am now using. Find out what works for your budget and what works for your customers.  As you get more successful you can upgrade.  Be good at what you do and only take on what you can handle.

What have you done recently that you are most proud of?

I just had a baby. I'm pretty proud of him! Also, I have introduced water optional sessions into my repartee. 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography? 

I take my kids to the beach. 

What are you most proud of as a business woman? 

When my clients are happy. 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

We travel a lot. Before the baby we would go on 48 hour dates to the West coast or just outer island. 

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients? 

I worked for trade. Time and talent are priceless.  I made cards and my husband handed them out like candy on halloween. 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?

Communication.  We have a white board calendar where everyone can see what events are coming up. 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful? 

Deliver a consistent high quality product. 

You are a mom, how old are your children?  What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?  Or do you try to keep them completely separated?

My boys are 9, 7, 5, and 7 months. We look at my blog together. It is no secret Mommy has to work on her pictures.  When shooting for fun, I take the kids with me.   They hold a light or even get a look through the lens if they are lucky.   I feel fortunate I work in a creative and positive environment that I can share with them.  There are only good things that come from that combination! 

You seem to have a great network of women that you know.  How did you make that happen?

The internet is a girls best rolodex.  I started off in the flickr community as a mom with a camera and a dash of natural talent.  Over the years, those old connections have turned into professional relationships and word of mouth recommendations. 

What challenges do you have that you think are specific to living in Hawaii? 

The thing that disappoints me the most is not being able to just pack up the car and drive to meet people. 

What advantages do you have that you think are specific to living in Hawaii?

Location, location, location.  I live in paradise. 

You do a lot of underwater photography, what top five tips do you have for someone who is interested in diving into underwater photography?

1. Make sure you are comfortable in the water. 

2. Take a CPR class (just in case!).

3. Rent a housing to get a feel for what works for you.

4. Be comfortable in your own skin.  Having confidence and being in a bathing suit with strangers could be awkward, but I grew up in a bathing suit!

5. Use the best gear you can afford. 

What do you do to keep your family strong? 

We talk. We eat dinners together. We do projects together. We watch tv together.  We are together all the time!

You just took a vacation...how did you make that happen when you are so busy? 

My husband works in the airline industry. We pretty much look at the calendar and decide who can go where and when.  Our last trip to California (since you wrote we've been to Seattle and Portland) was to celebrate my oldest's 9th birthday at Legoland. 

What did you do to increase your blog readership from 2k hits a month to 2k hits a day? 

Tumblr, twitter, and my Jesse and Amy wedding I shot at 8 1/2 months pregnant.  

https://twitter.com/MarinaMiller 

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed? 

Knowing that I have a beautiful family to be with if this photography thing doesn't pan out.. 

What three products or things help you stay organized? 

Who said I'm organized?!  My iPhone.  Paper and pen. 

Do you homeschool or do your kids go to public/private school?  How and why did you make this decision? 

My kids go to public school.  I went to a private school and had the culture shock of a lifetime when I went to high school. What education my kid's school may lack, we make up for in out travels and educational play. 

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

Steal, lie, and cheat other women in the industry.  It's gross. 

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Support and network. We are each others greatest resources.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?

1. Don't be so hard on yourself. 

2.  If you are a mother, you've already accomplished a lifetime of success.  If you aren't a mother, be a damn good aunt. 

3. Life is hard. Have a plan B and make the best of it. 

4.  Surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. 

5. Life is way too short to worry. Write it down, make a plan, and do something about it.