Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Orellana.
Hi Mariana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for having me! I’m Mariana and I’m a 23 year old freelance photographer that just graduated the University of Maryland, Baltimore County this past December. I first started taking an interesting in photography when I was really young. I was gifted this small point-and-shoot camera from my godparents and then by the time I was 13, I was gifted my first DSLR from my older brother. Throughout high school, it was really just a hobby that I grew to love and play around with until about 12th grade when I was asked to take some senior photos of my friends. By the time I started going to college, I was able to take a digital photography class where I learned more than I could’ve ever imagined in one semester and I saw my improvement in those short 4 months. I think that was officially my launching point in my photography as I was able to tag along for a wedding and did paid gigs. It was the first time where I felt like I could grow in this field. Since then, I’ve been able to do a few more weddings, several senior and family photos, and much more. After graduating from UMBC, I realized I had networked well enough and made the right connections with people inside and outside my field to continue to pursue this passion and drive I have to do freelance work and continue to learn and get better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Coming from an immigrant household and being a first-generation college student, I always felt the pressure of pursuing a career more “practical” and the battle of mental health. Last year I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and that has taken a much bigger toll on me than ever before. The lack of energy, the creative block, you name it. I also just didn’t think pursuing art was ever attainable, but I have been shown lately that that isn’t the case. I have so many creative outlets that I try my hardest to push myself to do and I’m very lucky to have such supportive people in my life, like family and friends and even people inside and outside of my community as well. I didn’t realize that until I graduated and I have never felt such incoming love from everyone around me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m mainly known for portrait and documentary photography. I’ve always enjoyed taking photos of people and recently I’ve had opportunities to attend protests and rallies to document. I strive to document people who are underrepresented and to capture once-in-a-lifetime emotions. I tie my passion for activism and diversity in my photography and I hope to continue to do that and represent. I am so proud of my identity and the name I’m making for myself; I am such a proud Latinx creative, I am such a proud child of immigrants, I am such a proud first-generation college student. Everything I do, no matter it be my art or whatever, I do it so proudly representing people like me. I want to be a known face one day to young kids who can one day look at me and see hope.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
These past two years have been nothing but learning and adjusting for me. The biggest one being is that everyone needs to have or find a support system around them.
Pricing:
- $75 basic portrait starting rate (grad photos, headshots, etc.)
- $120 starting rate for events (weddings, family events, etc.)
Contact Info:
- Email: marianaorellanacreative@gmail.com
- Website: marianaorellana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mar.orel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianaorellanacreative
