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Life and Work with Mariana Londono Ziegler

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Londono Ziegler.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mariana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Storytelling- which is what I am asked to do here- is really where it all began for me. I didn’t grow up with an intense calling to photograph, but I did grow up with a need to hear, read, listen and tell stories. I was the “creative” kid with her heads in the clouds and thriving off of my imagination. As kids, we traveled a lot and we’re always outside hiking, riding horses and skiing. You know the typical Colorado upbringing, which is where my love for adventure and the outdoors comes from.

I can recall the first time that photography really caught my attention- I must have been 11 or 12 and my father’s National Geographic Magazine had just come in the mail so I started looking through it. The vivid colors, the sweeping landscapes the people from far away places which adorned the pages of this magazine completely captivated me. I wanted to know more about them, who they were, what they did, how they lived. When I was given my first point and shoot camera, I was hooked. I took pictures of EVERYTHING! Through high school and college, I was the friend who carried around her camera and took those horrible pictures that will be forever hidden in the vault of private Facebook albums.

In college, I had been following a few of my photographer friends along, assisting in shoots and even modeling at times. I wanted a “real” camera so badly- and my now husband- gave me my very first DSLR in 2012. There was no real looking back after that. I felt at home with my little Nikon 3200 in my hands. Deep down I knew I was going to tell stories now, through photographs- just as I had seen in those National Geographic Magazines.
I started my side-hustle of a photography business the following year after graduating with the Literature degree. I was photographing all my friends, their families and honestly anyone who would be ok with me taking sub-par images of them while I practiced my skills. My husband and I were married in 2015, it was such a magical day- but I made the mistake of hiring the wrong photographer for my wedding. When I received my images back I was disappointed and vowed that I would never make a bride feel like that! So, I waited, practiced, second shot, assisted other photographers for free so I would learn ALL that I could before taking the leap into wedding photography. It took two years before I booked my own wedding, where I was confident I could do my job RIGHT and make my clients happy. I am now almost a full year into my business full time (yup, I worked other jobs in real estate and banking in between all of that). Very early on into my business, I had come to understand that I would get nowhere fast if I tried to do it alone. I invested time and energy into networking, getting to know other vendors in a genuine way- I can honestly say I would not be here today were it not for my community and the amazing people I have met along the way.

I have built a business based off of community, networking, creativity and real connections. I understand how incredibly lucky I am to be telling stories for a living and I can honestly never see myself doing anything else!

Has it been a smooth road?
Oh boy, not a smooth road at all. Like I said before, I was working two jobs at all times up until last year. Sometimes, I was working 90 hour weeks between my real estate job and my photography. I was catapulted into going full time after my mother was diagnosed with cancer last year (I am happy to say she is cancer free now!).

Struggles have been many but as cliche, as it sounds I am happy that I have gone and am still experiencing them. It is teaching me so much about being an entrepreneur. I would say one of my main struggles has a lot to do with time. Time management, learning when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” I believe this also fall into learning your self-worth and understanding that your time and energy are valuable. For everything you say yes to, you are saying no to something else. I have come to find that setting a work schedule and sticking to it is the best way for me- oh and actually taking a day or two off isn’t a bad idea!

Another huge struggle is the comparison game, I still find myself comparing my art and my business to others. I want to be the best I can be and serve my clients with everything I have. BUT we are human and in a world ruled by social media, it can get discouraging.

My advice: Understand that going through this journey of entrepreneurship is lonely. Find a group of people who you trust, who will lift you up and not be your competition, but will be your community. Invest in relationships, not all of them will pan out but if you go in with a heart of giving only good things will come. I, for example, have close friends within my industry that I can turn to, I am a member of the leadership team for the Colorado Springs chapter of Tuesdays Together and I am also part of The Success Collective (which has completely changed my life). These are people, specifically women that I can turn to and who will not judge me and will help me through this turbulent life of entrepreneurship!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a wedding, elopement, and engagement photographer based out of Colorado Springs, CO. I serve the Rocky Mountain States: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, and Montana. I will travel further but I mostly work in these areas. I specialize in mountain weddings/elopements for the adventurous at heart. This doesn’t just mean pro-mountain climbers who throw caution to the wind, but those who have the heart to try new experiences! If you look through my work it has a lot of nature and not so much urban. Not that I have a problem with those urban-like settings, I just thrive when I am outside among nature.

I like to think that I am known for the connections I make with my clients, not just the images I capture for them. I am a talker as those who know me will attest to, I am not scared to make a fool of myself to get my clients to laugh. Honestly, at the end of my sessions, I want my clients to leave feeling like they have a new friend who just happens to take some rad pictures of them while telling their love story. Here is the thing, those lovely super serious images of couples aren’t for everyone if a couple is goofy and always laughing- well, I want to capture that because it is who they are!

Photographic Style wise- I am known for mountain backdrops, amazing skies and carefree “posing”
Oh- I’m also known for wearing hats! I have, own and wear many many hats- it’s a thing, haha!

My brand- I am so stinking proud that of it! I have worked so hard to express who I am in all things that represent my business. From my website, social media accounts, my business cards to the way I represent my brand when I am out and about. I want people to feel happy to know they have someone who they trust when they hire me. I want to bring joy to this world.

What sets me apart? There are so many talented photographers out there who can capture the most beautiful images for clients. There is only one me: super chatty, adventure loving, Colorado native, Brazilian born Photographer who loves telling stories, has zero sense of personal space, or regard for how silly she may look if it makes you smile.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Ok, so this one is easy for me to answer: Competition- or the idea that we have to somehow compete to get ahead. I fully 100% believe in the idea behind community over competition. There is starting to be a surge of women who live, breathe, sleep and eat this notion but there is still a lot of work to be done. Comparing ourselves to our peers does no good. In order to make a difference, we all have to learn to lead with a giving heart.

Pricing:

  • Engagement pricing starts at $620
  • Wedding pricing starts at $3500
  • Elopement pricing starts at $3000
  • Family and other sessions start at $350

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
All Images by Mariana Ziegler Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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