Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mary Rozzi.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
In 1986, I first picked up a camera at the age of 16. My friends and I would dress up in our coolest outfits and head out to the golf course in Mason, Ohio, where I would photograph them. The excitement I felt in anticipation of getting the film back from the drugstore was overwhelming. Freezing moments in time became my obsession, and that’s when I truly understood the meaning of passion.
At 18, I enrolled in the photography program at The Parsons School of Design in NYC and never looked back. I loved fashion, meeting new people, traveling, and the endless excitement and possibilities that came with being a photographer. I worked my way up the ladder, perfecting my craft as an apprentice to world-renowned photographers for over eight years in NYC.
I was a sponge, eager to absorb everything I could. At the time, there weren’t many women behind the camera; I looked young and was perceived as pretty. I felt the need to prove myself, so I worked harder than my peers in hopes of securing a seat at the table. In 2000, I decided it was time to expand my knowledge and experiences and venture out on my own. After 12 years in NYC, I packed up my apartment and moved to Paris.
I didn’t speak the language and knew only a handful of people. In New York, I had perfected my technical skills; in Paris, I would refine my point of view and find my voice. I stayed in Paris for about 12 years; it was the best decision I could have ever made. It was life-changing and highly transformative. Europe provided me with the opportunity to be unique and share my perspective on women, fashion, and identity within the fashion world.
Today, at 54, my passion for what I do has never been stronger. Photography defines my identity. I feel the light around me and navigate my life as if looking through an invisible frame. I have photographed so many incredible people, including Angelina Jolie, Viola Davis, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Garner, and Salma Hayek. I have traveled extensively and had opportunities I could have never imagined.
My archive of work over the last 40 years is expansive, and I am currently editing it to produce a monograph along with the story of my journey.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth! I am a woman in what was a very male-dominated industry, and I am an artist in the ‘industry’ of fashion. Photography is 50% technical, 50% having an eye, and 50% luck. I have often been questioned about my ability to use a camera, the lighting, and the technical skills required to execute my work. I have had to prove myself time and time again, demonstrating that I am as competent, if not more so, than my peers.
This has made me strong and confident in my ability to overcome any challenge. I have been told that I am a pioneer for other women artists. The medium of photography has seen a lot of evolution. Not only is it a very expensive medium, but it has also been reinvented at such a rapid pace over the last 15 years. This means that one is constantly faced with adding to an already expansive repertoire of working practices, as well as keeping up with the speed and volume of work being produced.
Sustaining a lifelong career and staying relevant in a volatile market is also a challenge.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am best known for my photographs of women.
My work is sensual and sensitive, aiming to capture the true essence of the people in front of my camera. I strive to help them see their authentic selves. I am often told that working with me is not only about the photograph itself but also about the entire experience of being photographed.
I am most proud that I am still here, continuing to be inspired and loving my job. What sets me apart is my enduring passion and dedication to my craft, as well as the unique experience I provide to those I photograph.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Mentors have been incredibly valuable throughout my life. I believe you can find them anywhere, but you need to know how to spot them. They may not come in the form you expect, and someone may be mentoring you without realizing it.
Different mentors come into your life at different times, in all shapes and sizes, and you may not recognize them right away. If you want to be a photographer, I truly believe that experience and perseverance are everything. So, shoot, shoot, shoot, and if you truly love it, don’t ever give up.
Pricing:
- Consulting 350 / hr
- Private portrait sittings /5k- 15k
- Rebranding and content creation studio rates / Contact me
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maryrozzi.com, www.remedes-galerie.com
- Instagram: @maryrozzi
Image Credits
Gillian Doyle and Mary Rozzi
