Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariela Campbell.
Hi Mariela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Santiago, Chile, during the Chilean Coup D’état, the other 9/11 disaster. My father was one of the thousands detained in the national stadium who was further tortured & imprisoned. My mother was pregnant with her fourth child ( me). My father was still in prison, and I didn’t meet him till I was nine months old, when thousands of Chileans were released and kicked out of their own country.
Thus our adventures began in a new country where no one spoke any other language but English, landing in Sydney, with the clothes on our backs and a few suitcases, my parents had to learn and adapt quickly. Australia would now be our home. I was the youngest of four siblings. We were put up in a hostel for 12 months, with all food and shelter provided. Once the 12 months were up, we had to make it ourselves. My fondest memories are my walks to the thrift stores with my mom while my siblings were all in school. Hence my love of thrifting began through the beautiful memories with my mom. Almost everything we owned was from a thrift store donated or picked up from the sidewalks of the wealthy.
I also remember how we didn’t have any photos—or albums pre-Australia. I loved flipping through the few photo albums we had. As I got older, I wanted a camera of my own, and I remember my dad picking up a used Minolta SLR camera, and when he was at work, I would sneak it out and try to learn it. He was so protective of his camera; this is where my love for SLRs began.
Fast forward – I landed in sunny California in 2003 with my daughter, who was seven at the time. We were on an adventure together. We traveled across the States and returned to Cali after almost two months of travel. I met my now husband, Demetris, in late Feb 2003. We became an immediate family of four with his daughter and mine – Nine months later, we married and eloped in Vegas (So many more stories between then and now). Fast forward again.
My husband taught me all about entrepreneurship and how to hustle. We have had successful businesses together, such as an online music magazine, interviewing many artists. We transitioned to Music Publishing with an all-genre Latin catalog. We picked up contracts with Viacom and had music licensing in a few movies. We managed a salsa band in LA and an alternative Latin group during this time.
By 2007, hubby thought booking me an event photography gig was a good idea. He threw me into
quinces and Weddings, my very first wedding gig was $300, and Fifteen years later, I have captured hundreds of weddings, portraits, and engagement sessions. I am blessed to have captured so many of life’s extraordinary moments.
I was fortunate and blessed to continue working through the pandemic in 2020 with intimate weddings & elopements, and it was crazy perfect timing for me. I was in the middle of prepping my transition into doing small weddings and elopements. And I was leaving behind the grand 200+ guest weddings.
I hopped on the new trend, the Luxury Picnic business. I launched my business. MCP’s Picnic Co in late December 2021 and finally had our first booking in March 2022. Styling and designing became my favorite part besides taking photographs. Discovering my love for design helped me incorporate this into my picnics.
Today thrifting is a big part of my life: re-purposing, wood building, painting, drawing, growing my vegetables, gardening, taking road trips, making macrame, and creating styled shoots. When I find my inspiration, I make the time to reconnect with myself through any of these outlets.
Fifteen years into my Photography career, I still love it as much as I did then. I am thankful for all my past clients, and people I have met throughout my career. People come into our lives for a reason, and life throws obstacles for a more significant reason. I am who I am today because of all the beautiful souls who have poured a little of themselves into me, my influences, my inspirations, my coaches, my friends, my temporary friends, my lovely mother ( who is with her angels now) my father. ALL who have touched my life, big or small, have played a considerable part in my growth. And I can’t wait to continue my journey with my best friend, my biggest fan, and the most supportive person next to me, my husband, Demetris.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Wedding & Elopement Photographer – Specializing in capturing life’s precious and most memorable moments through stills!
I have over 15 years of experience, I have trained countless aspiring young photographers, as well as created and curated wedding-styled shoots.
I am known for my non-posey approach to wedding day portraits, allowing my clients to feel comfortable whilst instructing them for a natural intimate, and beautiful end result.
I am also known for my Luxury Picnics – where I offer wedding-inspired services such as Bachelorette, Elopements, and Proposal Picnics, which all fall under my wedding experience.
What sets me apart – I bring my creativity and love for design to help me have a different eye to the typical wedding photographer. Offering my love for design and colors also helps me create beautiful, unique styles for our picnic clients.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Never give up on the bigger picture – there will be days that are just downright crap, but tomorrow is another day, and waking up with a different mindset will get you through. Always have positive, loving people around you. Get rid of the negative energy around you.
Listen and believe in yourself; if you have a partner that contributes to all your craziness, that is a bonus. Having their support is one of your most gratifying and helpful tools.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marielacampbell.com
- Instagram: mariela_campbell
- Other: www.mcpspicnicco.com
Image Credits
Mariela Campbell Photography
