Meet Pernille Marcheschi of Pernille M Photo in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pernille Marcheschi.

Pernille, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I bought my camera in early 2017, one week before I made my first visit to Los Angeles. I was planning to spend an entire month in California. Initially, I intended to be a hobby photographer; take photos of landscape, streets, and city views while traveling. Though in the first few days of my stay, I snapped a couple of photos of my host, and that is when people started contacting me to take photos of them. The entire vacation and the experience of taking pictures of people led me to think that this could be my thing. I love shooting, it felt natural, and I found I have a gift for working with people.

After my time in Los Angeles, I was not only in love with the city, but I found my passion and knew I wanted to pursue this as a career. When I returned to Denmark, I spent all my time producing more photos and improving my craft. I reached out to professional photographer friends to ask questions and get advice. I even spent time assisting two of the most famous photographers in Denmark. That is when everything started to move really fast, people loved my work. It was tricky keeping up with the pace of work and everything that was happening in my life, but I loved it. I was happier than I had ever been.

In November of 2017, I sold everything I owned and took off with only my camera, laptop, and a suitcase to chase my dream and the city I had fallen in love with. For the first time, I felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. Ever since I have been working and traveling around the world, but I always find myself coming back to Los Angeles.

Has it been a smooth road?
The path that led me to become a photographer has been a rather turbulent and indirect road. Initially, I studied sales and marketing because I thought that was all I needed to feel successful and happy. But after nine years, I knew that something was missing. That work did not fulfill my creative desires, so I sought other inspiration. I had been involved in the photography industry for years but in front of the camera. I had an agent and often modeled for Nikon.

I was also an artist, always drawing and being creative. I was encouraged by a photographer to become a photo editor, also known as a retoucher. I spent three months, 12 hours a day, taking online courses learning how to use photoshop. This led to an internship with two companies, which later inspired me to launch my own company.

My visit to California in early 2017 inspired me because of this “new” world. When I realized I had a passion and decided to become a photographer, it was an easy decision to move across the world, to start a new chapter. Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It takes confidence and persistence to start your own business. It is amazing to do what I love.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pernille M Photo story. Tell us more about the business.
I am an international photographer with a strong foundation in marketing and sales.

What makes me stand out from the crowd is that I am able to take a concept from an idea to a finished marketing plan. I have the ability to communicate with the client to manifest an idea into reality in a really creative way. It is my goal to capture exactly what the client wants and to make sure we solve all problems together along the way. When I am on location, I can already see the finished image in my mind.

As part of the production, I also create digital footprint maps to help guide the business to successfully convert advertising of their products and services. I am able to teach my clients, who are often independent or small business owners, how to use their content successfully. I have my hands on the images from concept to excitation. They trust me to work my magic since it is backed with nearly a decade of experience in marketing and sales.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The photography industry will always be there. But I believe that video will take more over still photos. That is why I am planning on open up for that site of photography this year.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pernillemphoto.com
• Phone: +14243359214
• Email: pernille@pernillemphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/pernillemphoto

Image Credit:
Models: Blaine Strong, Lauren Drain Kagan, Renato Shippee, Najla Salome, Kid David, Imani Talibah, Valerie Lundquist

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