Check Out Marielle Stobie’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marielle Stobie.

Hi Marielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was a teenager, I was convinced I was going to be a painter before I ever picked up a camera. I think that feeling carried over into my photography. I wasn’t concerned with gear or technical settings — just the way light, color, and a subject could make you feel something. I only shot natural light, never flash. I didn’t really understand the settings even though I tried. I just experimented and stuck with what looked interesting to me. I loved underexposed shots where only part of the frame was lit — someone’s face in a dark room, some fleeting detail. In a way, I was learning how to paint with light, even if I didn’t yet know how to create a professional image.

Prior to becoming a studio headshot photographer, I worked for a tech company for several years. Corporate life gave me financial stability and professional confidence, but I also lost the motivation to shoot photos and went years without taking a single one. When I was unexpectedly laid off, it was a blessing in disguise. I finally had the means to buy the gear I needed to “do it for real.” Because traditional headshots never resonated with me, I leaned into creating portraits and headshots in Los Angeles that feel natural, expressive, and alive. That became the foundation for my professional path and eventually Studio Marielle.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I have been blessed along the way. Because of my amazing support system and clients, I’ve kept it going.

For years I didn’t know how to carve out a professional path for myself with photography. I took thousands of photos that were technically “bad,” but I think that’s part of the process – making a lot of bad work before you find the good. When I finally stepped into studio photography, there was a steep learning curve. I spent long nights studying lighting, buying and returning gear, and taking plenty of photos that didn’t work until they slowly started to improve.

The other challenge has been mindset. Losing a stable job can feel like failure, but for me it was the push I needed to commit. I had to learn how to treat my creative practice not just as art, but as a business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I joke that I’m the headshot photographer for people who hate headshots. Modern headshots have never resonated with me, so my focus is on creating portraits and headshots in Los Angeles that feel classic, raw, and true to the person in front of the camera.

After the fires, a generous friend let me use a space in Topanga Canyon as a studio and it’s become the heart of my work. It feels good to create in my own community, and my clients get the chance to take a scenic break from the city when they come out here. What I’m most proud of is that people walk away not just with photos they love, but with the feeling that they were seen and respected in the process.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always drawn to art. I was mostly homeschooled by my mother who encouraged me at every turn, every interest I had. I’ve always loved getting my hands dirty with projects but where I really got into an artistic flow state was with painting. When I was a teenager, I truly thought I’d be a painter forever, and I believe I carried that mindset into photography. I was curious, nerdy, outspoken when I needed to be, sensitive, and more interested in how something felt than whether it looked “perfect.” I liked experimenting, following the light, and paying attention to small details that other people might overlook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiomarielle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiomarielle_us
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studiomariellephotography