Liz Martinez (Delaware) |
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Liz Martinez is a 22 year-old recent graduate and entrepreneur. Martinez graduated in May, majoring in multimedia communication and minoring in English. She started her business back in June 2018 and is continuously picking up steam. Liz Martinez Creations specializes in lifestyle and couple portrait photography and offers a fun-spirited, dreamy, and full-of-life feeling that is accomplished by her light and airy editing style. Martinez works with both millennials and experienced business owners to manage their social media and branding so they can grow their business, along with dabbling in graphic design, specializing in custom Instagram highlight icons.
Interview by Kyle Sobieski
Why is photography so important to you?
Growing up, I always had to be doing something creative. Whether it be painting, writing, or acting, I just always needed a creative outlet. The one thing that stayed consistent and I never got bored of is photography! I can still remember using up countless film cameras with selfies, interesting angles of my room, and even my dolls posing as models. It started out like this when I was around 5 years old. When I was in middle school, I essentially did styled shoots with my friends when I got my very on little digital camera. I always brought it to school, and when it wasn't at school it was at home ready to go. By high school I invested in my first DSLR and decided to make this hobby into a passion. Photography is so important to me because it is an extension of me. It is me, all the way down to my core. Photography gives me a sense of purpose that literally nothing else does, and I love making the subject of the portraits feel that magic that I do. |
Do you have a certain idea in mind when doing a shoot? We noticed you did a shoot and focused it around maternity. Is there always a focus on a certain idea when doing a shoot?
I do try to focus on a certain idea each shoot. I'm a storyteller at heart, and I've been creating stories since I could write. In a general sense, I have a certain idea in mind like a maternity shoot, or senior portraits, or couples portraits. But in a more detailed sense, I create a vision and experience based on my clients and what their story is. For example, are they retro? Well we should photograph in a setting that has a vintage vibe with clothes to match. Are they fun and goofy or more serious? |
I want to tell their story through their images, so I must depict them correctly. In college when I was a journalist, I learned the ins and outs of great reporting and storytelling, and I often catch myself relying on what I learned when I'm putting together a photoshoot.
We'll admit, we did some snooping through your Insta and found that you traveled across some countries in Europe! How was that and what would you recommend to do, and see when traveling to those countries?
Oh gosh it was amazing! Ever since I knew traveling Europe was a thing, I wanted to do it so bad. I had this certain fantasy in my head that I would pack up everything with some friends after I graduate college and just go travel. Well, as the dates got closer, I realized none of my friends were going to be able to swing that so I invited my parents! I saw it as a blessing in disguise since I'm close to my parents and I know how to be around them during long periods of time. So, after college graduation, we headed off to The Netherlands, Italy, and France! In Amsterdam, I definitely recommend visiting the Anne Frank house, it was absolutely surreal and breathtaking. In Rome, I recommend not stopping or ever talking to the hecklers even though they are everywhere, but go see the views from Palatine Hill! Finally for Paris, I have to recommend seeing the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Square since it's the best view! You have to see it at 7 am if you don't want a million people in the background. |
Explain to us the Liz League.
The Liz League is my newest service at Liz Martinez Creations. I created the Liz League with my loyal and repeat clients in mind, and wanted to reward them with not only a great relationship between us, but a partnership as well. The Liz League is for business owners, photographers, and bloggers, who struggle with having consistent high quality images to use for their website, social medias, etc. I formulated it as not suffering with post-paralysis anymore - when you're stuck before posting since you have nothing to post or you're not sure what to post.
I've noticed as a business owner myself, that I was lacking in high quality photos and I couldn't recycle the same photos from the same shoot over and over again. I wanted to create a service where content creators could always have up to date and fresh portraits to post each month, for 3 months, like a subscription. The Liz League only handles 5 content creators at a time to make sure I give all my attention and devotion to them. For 3 months at a time, a Liz League client will have 2 photo sessions a month with me.
With a minimum of 40 images each month, business owners are sure not to struggle with what to post on social media, advertisements, etc! And the best part? This is all discounted! I really wanted to reward those who have been amazing clients with me. The Liz League clients are saving almost $200 for being a part of this exclusive group.
The Liz League is my newest service at Liz Martinez Creations. I created the Liz League with my loyal and repeat clients in mind, and wanted to reward them with not only a great relationship between us, but a partnership as well. The Liz League is for business owners, photographers, and bloggers, who struggle with having consistent high quality images to use for their website, social medias, etc. I formulated it as not suffering with post-paralysis anymore - when you're stuck before posting since you have nothing to post or you're not sure what to post.
I've noticed as a business owner myself, that I was lacking in high quality photos and I couldn't recycle the same photos from the same shoot over and over again. I wanted to create a service where content creators could always have up to date and fresh portraits to post each month, for 3 months, like a subscription. The Liz League only handles 5 content creators at a time to make sure I give all my attention and devotion to them. For 3 months at a time, a Liz League client will have 2 photo sessions a month with me.
With a minimum of 40 images each month, business owners are sure not to struggle with what to post on social media, advertisements, etc! And the best part? This is all discounted! I really wanted to reward those who have been amazing clients with me. The Liz League clients are saving almost $200 for being a part of this exclusive group.
What type of camera do you use? Is this something a more advanced photographer should get or would you also recommend this to someone just starting out? How has this type of camera affected your work?
I recently upgraded to a Canon 6D Mark II two months ago. This is a stunning full frame DSLR that I have been dreaming of. This camera is definitely more advanced but not the most advanced camera out there. The Canon 6D Mark II has changed the game for me as a photographer. It is much faster and less frustrating. I was limited to what I could do on my previous camera, and now it feels like the doors have just opened up for me to be both creative and high quality. This camera is a big step up from my previous one in high school, the Canon 60D.
For anyone starting out, I really recommend any of the rebel Canons. The rebels are the perfect beginners camera! They will get to learn all the settings without being overwhelmed and confused! Also remember, it's the photographer that makes the amazing images, not the camera.
I recently upgraded to a Canon 6D Mark II two months ago. This is a stunning full frame DSLR that I have been dreaming of. This camera is definitely more advanced but not the most advanced camera out there. The Canon 6D Mark II has changed the game for me as a photographer. It is much faster and less frustrating. I was limited to what I could do on my previous camera, and now it feels like the doors have just opened up for me to be both creative and high quality. This camera is a big step up from my previous one in high school, the Canon 60D.
For anyone starting out, I really recommend any of the rebel Canons. The rebels are the perfect beginners camera! They will get to learn all the settings without being overwhelmed and confused! Also remember, it's the photographer that makes the amazing images, not the camera.
What words of advice could the world use right now?
I've always felt like the crazy outcast when I saw how people traditionally went about life. I never wanted to work that 9-5, be miserable with my life, and feel trapped. Well, I'm sure no one wants that for themselves. My advice for the world right now is to tap into their creative side. Even if it's not something you want to do professionally, have it as an outlet. I think if you forget to have passions or to take care of those passions, you will fall into that same routine and feel like your life is boring. I also advise you to take chances and leaps of faith. It can be scary to quit a job, start a job, or do something new but it's your one chance at life. I would rather be at the end of my life knowing I went after all my hopes in dreams instead of feeling like a coward. Be brave and be creative!
I've always felt like the crazy outcast when I saw how people traditionally went about life. I never wanted to work that 9-5, be miserable with my life, and feel trapped. Well, I'm sure no one wants that for themselves. My advice for the world right now is to tap into their creative side. Even if it's not something you want to do professionally, have it as an outlet. I think if you forget to have passions or to take care of those passions, you will fall into that same routine and feel like your life is boring. I also advise you to take chances and leaps of faith. It can be scary to quit a job, start a job, or do something new but it's your one chance at life. I would rather be at the end of my life knowing I went after all my hopes in dreams instead of feeling like a coward. Be brave and be creative!
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