Meet MARLA DEL ROSARIO | PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER

We had the good fortune of connecting with MARLA DEL ROSARIO and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MARLA, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think one of the most important factor behind my success is the passion I developed for photography and videography. People say “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” I’ve never understood this until today. Before I formed my business, I just enjoyed taking photos and videos of friends and family and our memories. Today, I teach it to High School students and on some of my weekends I am at a wedding or an event capturing memories while editing during other days. Sure there are days where I work 24/7 but I never felt burnt out or too tired to create because I loved what I was doing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It all started when I first picked up a polaroid camera at 7 years old. I thought it was the most fascinating electronic equipment ever. You take a picture, a little sheet of photo paper comes out and then boom, a picture. It was only a short while after when I first saw my uncle create this photo slideshow at our family Christmas party, everyone just staring at all the memories throughout the year and feeling happy, that I became interested in videos as well and wanted to create that same feeling for our family get togethers. I found an old digital camera my Dad had in the garage and I spent time watching tutorial videos for hours and hours on slow speed internet learning and teaching myself photography/videography. I started practicing and taking photos and videos of everything. It turned into a hobby and my passion for photography and videography grew throughout the years. My uncle was so impressed with my work, he asked me to take photos of his graduation and insisted on paying me. At the time, I was 13 years old when I realized I could make money and save enough for a much better camera. So I started to promote my work to family and their friends until I made enough to purchase my own professional camera. For a while, it was just a hobby and family pictures here and there, then photos of friends and videos of our memories and adventures, to my high school friends asking me to help them with their “School Video Projects”.

The first professional gig I worked on was my boss’ wedding. She asked if I have ever done weddings. I was 19 years old at the time and have probably only attended 2 weddings in my life. She took a chance on me and said “I love your work and I don’t know any videographers or photographers so you’re hired.” It was my first time filming a wedding. I had no clue what I was doing; all I had was a vision and a camera. So I got back on the computer and spent time watching wedding videos and was so inspired by this famous videographer, Jason Magbanua. I spent time learning his style, his camera work, replaying videos over and over. My first wedding gig was so stressful but the video came out so good, my boss was impressed and so were her friends and family. I told her wedding story in the form of a movie. She said, “Thank you for letting me relive one of the most important moments of my life everytime I watch this video.” It was then when I realized that I can use my passion in photography and videography to create happiness for people. I knew this is what I wanted to do.

A couple years later, I formed MDRFILMS LLC and have been a wedding photographer and videographer on the weekends while teaching it to High School students at a Charter School as a full time job.

There were a few obstacles along the way. For one, technology was not as simple nor was it as advanced as it is today. When I was teaching myself photography, I had to learn through a computer with slow speed internet. I think it was still dial up at the time, and the videos were so pixelated. I couldn’t afford a professional camera yet, so I had to work with what I had – but I learned that as long as you have a vision, you’re able to create beautiful work using creativity; you don’t need expensive equipment to create beautiful memories and to make your clients happy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
ooohhh!! I would definitely take them to Downtown LA. Yes, the traffic sucks, and there’s no parking but, there are so many artsy places and lots of creative people around that area! Then we would go to Elysian park and have a picnic by the benches where the view of the LA skyline just looks beautiful. I would also take them to the beach, (if they don’t really have beaches in their area) and go to Bear Flag for some bomb Poke! I love Sushi!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shout out to all my clients. Without them, MDRFILMS wouldn’t be where it is today. I thank all the clients who have supported me through my journey, whether it is hiring me every year for their family photos, referring me to their friends and family or even just a simple like and share of my content. Because I had a full time job aside from my weekend gigs, I never really had the time to promote my business besides social media and word of mouth. Because of my clients, MDRFILMS has reached so many people… so shout out to you all! I love you guys!

Website: https://www.mdrfilms.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdrfilms/