Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Carter.
Hi Marisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2015 I was a stay-at-home mom with my daughter and only child at the time and in a not-so-ideal marriage, money was tight and I didn’t have much control over finances. It wasn’t until then I realized I needed some sort of outlet, that’s when I started to take photos of my baby girl Liyah. I realized then and there that I wasn’t too bad at this and began shooting family shoots and senior sessions. During that time, I was pregnant with my twin boys and the business was making me some nice money for myself but I wanted to do more. A friend of mine, who is a professional wedding photographer, reached out to me and said that I should be shooting for weddings and investing in a professional camera, she thought my work was very good!
She then met up with me and showed me how to work my settings and how to use the manual. Shortly after the twins were born. She came over again and we took photos of them in the backyard and I loved every minute of it! I decided right there this was going to be my career and MSMP photography was what I would call it.
I began shooting full-day weddings at only $500 and the bookings started flowing in, as I raised my prices there was still a steady flow.
Of course, with any business there are ups and downs, I was going through a divorce and raising three children on my own. It was very hard to get babysitters for my kiddos almost every weekend, while I was living far away from everybody I knew! So, I packed up our bags and we moved to the city, it got a little easier but then covid hit.
I will tell you, something amazing happens during all obstacles because on what seemed like an endless road of bumps and sharp turns, one turn led me to meet the love of my life, two years after my divorce was finalized. He also loves photography and has the same passions.
My husband Robby is very successful with anything he sets his mind to. Before I met him, he was actually a company owner and sold his company off and planted so many ideas in my creative brain.
So, we renamed my business MSMP MEDIA LLC and Robby became CEO of our company!
We now have four photographers and two videographers located all around Michigan and plan on hiring more. Robby and I decided to branch out of MSMP and move the kids and us to the south. We knew South Carolina would be a perfect place to expand the company with its Spanish moss, beachfront views, ocean breezes, and vintage charm.
Right now, I have weddings for myself lined up around South Carolina and we plan on hiring in a year or so!
We have so many ideas for MSMP and can’t wait to see them come to life. MSMP isn’t just a company, it’s a name and a face, my name and face, so it means a lot to me (Marisa Sue Marie Purcey) to watch it morph from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly, one wedding at a time 🦋
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having a company isn’t always peaches and cream, there are moments where you struggle but that’s when you know you are doing something right, especially when you can get through it. From bad reviews to good ones, difficult brides to amazing ones, or even a mess of a wedding where nothing seems to be going right Haha. And don’t get me started on the money you have to put into it! People sometimes don’t understand what goes into running a business and all the ins and outs. There’s a lot more to it than just showing up and taking photos.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about MSMP MEDIA LLC?
We are a photography and videography company for events and commercial work but we specialize in weddings. We are known for our bright, colorful, and fun photos that capture joy and elegance. We are a team that captures events at an affordable cost!
I’m proud of how unison we have become, that all of us together can create the same product for our clientele.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My husband was my mentor, Haha. So, if you want to Marry a businessman? I’m only joking, kind of. A great place to start is Facebook wedding groups! Once you create a web page and Facebook page for your business join as many wedding groups that allow vendors to post their businesses!
Another great way to get your foot in the door is to get on vendor lists especially once you have worked with those vendors. Get their business cards and reach out also tag them on social media and don’t forget to spread your business cards to places that work for your brand. For me, I used to place mine at bridal boutiques.
I also love networking with other photographers, second shooting was a great way to get more comfortable during weddings.
Pricing:
- Silver photo package: 1600
- Rose photo package: 2250
- Gold photo package: 3500
- Basic video package: 975
- Premium video package: 1275
Contact Info:
- Email: Msmpphotography@gmail.com
- Website: Msmpphotography.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/msmpmedia
- Facebook: Facebook.com/msmpmedia
Image Credits
MSMP MEDIA LLC
