Conversations with Marissa Chaney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Chaney.

Hi Marissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Tourism Management from Purdue University. After graduating in 2017, I worked as a social media and marketing director for three years. In 2019, I decided I wanted to take better photos for my content and bought a kit lens, nothing fancy. I played around with it and decided to do a Grease-themed shoot at the Elkhart 4-H Fair. It went viral on Facebook with over 12k shares, and many people asked why I wasn’t doing this part-time. A week later, I invested in a better camera and did just that. While still finding my footing, my grandpa unexpectedly passed away. When gathering photos for his funeral, I realized I didn’t have many photos together, and our most recent was about 10 years prior. This made me want to pursue photography wholeheartedly and realize I wanted to capture moments people could hold onto and look back at. In 2020 amongst the pandemic, I went full time. I was working at my family-owned business and running the place. It was difficult leaving a place where I was comfortable and knew I would be set for life, but I wanted to find success on my own. I read a quote that said, “like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.” A few days later, I got that wildflower tattooed on me as a reminder and put in my two weeks. That year in 2019, I had 3 weddings; I had 5 in 2020 and 18 in 21. I have 25 scheduled for 2022.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing worth it is ever a smooth road. I think there are always obstacles when trying something new! Leaving my family-owned business to start my career was difficult as that was my comfort zone. Stepping out of my comfort zone and finding my place in an over-saturated industry was stressful.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a wedding and elopement photographer specializing in all things couples. One thing that sets me apart is my client experience. I pride myself on being a resource and helping with every step of the way, whether finding vendors, making the timeline, scouting locations/permits, or showering them in client gifts at the end.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most is creating a beautiful image for my clients while giving them an incredible experience. If the photos are beautiful but the gallery is late and the communication sucks, that will stand out to the clients. You need an overall quality experience all around. After all, whether it’s a wedding or elopement. This is the best day of their lives that only happens once. Make it count!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marissaraephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissaraephotography/

Image Credits
Photo 1: (against the wall with shadows) Brooklyn & Jon Photo 2: (close up detail shot) Cheyenne & Adam Bates Photo 3: (lanterns by the rock) Chloe & Xavier Miller Photo 4: (Blue water in alaska) Casey & Nick Weimer Photo 5: (the photo reading vows with greenery on wall) Faith.& Jimmy Fleming Photo 6: (black and white road photo) Katey & Tony Bontrager Photo 7: (dark blue photo with lantern) Kaylee Bull & Keenan Armbrust Photo 8: (laying on the couch with mirrors) Madilyn & Will Harris