Today we’d like to introduce you to Marla Del Rosario.
Hi Marla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started when I first picked up a polaroid camera at seven 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, and 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 every time 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 of 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. People say “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” I’ve never understood this until today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
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, but it was nice to have.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a wedding photographer/videographer and I teach it to high school students. I also do video and photo work to promote other small businesses, take family and graduation photos and other events. I think all photographers and videographers have the same drive and motivation that is more than monetary. I think we all have the passion to create and express our art to people. Anyone can get their hands on a camera nowadays but the story, the creativity, and the memory captured is what matters more to me. I want my clients to be able to watch their wedding videos or look at their photos and feel like they are reliving the day, remembering that exact moment. I live for capturing memories.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During Covid-19 I wasn’t getting a lot of work because there weren’t any weddings or events or gatherings happening but I learned to never give up. I stayed open for business working with clients to reschedule and created promo videos for businesses while communicating virtually.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mdrfilms.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdrfilms/
