We had the good fortune of connecting with Marina Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Honestly? CREATING for myself. It’s easy to get so caught up in the business side of art…when other people recognize your talents, you get this kind of “Oh crap, now what do I do” pressure. So then you freak out and start catering to why people ask instead of how you want to do it. But the biggest way to kill the passion is to focus only on it benefitting other people. Ironically, when I took a step back and said “This is what I want to create” instead of “this is the trend”, I got a lot more business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Oh, it definitely was not easy for me stepping into being an entrepreneurial artist. I am SO introverted and honestly kind of shy around new people, and so the networking part of photography as a business does not come naturally. But I have a massive heart for connection, and so my mission is to make everyone feel like they are making a new friend, not meeting a stranger. I used to work in a coffee shop, and I only really connected with a few customers because I am a “I hate small talk, tell me your life story” kind of gal. And one of my regulars asked for my number because I loved her puppy. So she would send me pictures of her little dog (she still does from time to time, love you Bruno.) So I think the biggest thing about my “brand” is I don’t really have one. I’m a person, awkward and silly just like the rest of us, so I GET it. Our sessions will be full of giggles and dancing to loosen up, and I hope you leave feeling like you can send me pictures of your dogs or your kids and know I genuinely love seeing them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I love a good itinerary…okay let’s see. So if they’ve never been to Colorado before, I would probably take them to Pikes Peak first. Then I’d take them to the places you don’t hear about unless you’re a local (Bishop’s Castle, Casa Bonita, etc). I love places like that because they aren’t super well known and trying to explain what they are is an adventure in itself. So then we’d probably hit up the Denver Art Museum, the Tattered Cover bookstore, and all the other art filled places in Denver. Grab ice cream at Little Man’s after hitting a hole in the wall restaurant…. I honestly love just discovering new places so I would take them along for the ride!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh, so many people. But I think specifically in regards to photography, I have to shout out Jessica Cooke with Jessica Cooke Photography. I found her on Facebook and she ended up being our wedding photographer, and she’s one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. But her heart for the people she interacted with through photography is one of the reasons I wanted to do photography as a business. And then of course, my sweet husband Jacob who has taught me how to pursue my dreams despite my loud inner critic, and who supports me following where my heart is leading me, no matter how wild. I honestly don’t think I’d be able to do what I’m doing without him.

Website: Memoriesbymarina.com

Instagram: @memoriesbymarina

Facebook: @memoriesbymarina

Image Credits
Carley with Her Honey Lens Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.