Troy Marenco (Delaware) |
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Troy Marenco has always had an eye for places and scenery. Shooting visually stimulating portraits and landscape photographs, each image he takes captures various unique concepts. The Delaware native uses color contrasts to make his work pop, as well as carefully using subject placement to add to the visual. No matter his surroundings, Troy can turn any location into art to make an impression.
Interview by Casen Carr
How do you feel about finding spots to shoot in Delaware? Do you find yourself traveling outside of DE to find a good location?
Having an eye for places and scenery is something that I found at a very young age. The ability to search and explore different areas is something that most photographers have an extremely good knack for. Being from Delaware, a lot of photographers struggle finding certain landscapes that they can manipulate and use in their favor. For me, specifically, I have never had an issue finding somewhere to shoot. This state has a variety of locations that I’ve found just by simply driving around and remaining focused on the scenery around me. These locations would include places such as: White Clay Creek, Judge Morris Estate, Nemours Mansion, etc. I will say, though, it is always fun searching outside of Delaware to find an even more unique spot to take clients. For example, many of my clients have enjoyed trips to Graffiti Pier in Philadelphia. Give one stereotype of Southern Delaware that is true and one that is false.
I’m going to be extremely basic with my first response for a stereotype of Southern Delaware that is true; the saying “Slower Lower” is 100% true. Things seem to move at a much slower pace and let’s be honest, traffic is horrible in Southern Delaware. A stereotype about Southern Delaware that is false is that there’s nothing to do down there. I have found that lower Delaware is actually a prime spot for photography and open field to manipulate depth and landscape. On top of that, lower Delaware is home to some of the biggest summer tourist attractions: Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany, etc. |
Where are some of your favorite places to shoot in Delaware?
It’s probably best if I start with my favorite place to shoot in Delaware, White Clay Creek State Park. White Clay is an area along the White Clay Creek that stretches roughly 3,300 acres. What makes this spot so unique for me, is that it is actually located in my backyard. I navigated to this spot in the Summer of 2017, and was blown away by the natural beauty that the location presents. The ability to do freelance photography in this spot is one of the main reasons I continue to go back, because I always find something new while I’m there. Some other places I’ve worked in Delaware are Judge Morris Estate, Nemours Mansion, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
It’s probably best if I start with my favorite place to shoot in Delaware, White Clay Creek State Park. White Clay is an area along the White Clay Creek that stretches roughly 3,300 acres. What makes this spot so unique for me, is that it is actually located in my backyard. I navigated to this spot in the Summer of 2017, and was blown away by the natural beauty that the location presents. The ability to do freelance photography in this spot is one of the main reasons I continue to go back, because I always find something new while I’m there. Some other places I’ve worked in Delaware are Judge Morris Estate, Nemours Mansion, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
What is Lone Wolf Photography?
Lone Wolf Photography is the brand that I started for myself during a rough portion of my life when I was fighting suicide and clinical depression. It stands for its exact wording, “Lone Wolf.” I gave that nickname to myself when I was dealing with personal matters, and it has stuck with me ever since. It also stems from one of my favorite quotes from Fearless Motivation’s “Lone Wolf” speech, “The wolf on the top of the hill is never as hungry as the wolf climbing the hill.” |
You show off and capture contrasts very well with the use of color and subject placement. How conscious of this are you when shooting and in post?
I use color contrasts in almost all of my photography, because I have always been a fan of the way colors change pictures. I try to recommend my clients to wear colors that will pop with our choice of location. When shooting and while posting, being cautious of blending colors from the client and the background is something all photographers should remain conscious of.
I use color contrasts in almost all of my photography, because I have always been a fan of the way colors change pictures. I try to recommend my clients to wear colors that will pop with our choice of location. When shooting and while posting, being cautious of blending colors from the client and the background is something all photographers should remain conscious of.
I see you have a decent amount of tattoos…Which is your favorite and which was your first?
I have 12 total tattoos on my body, and a full arm sleeve that consists of 5 of them. I would say my favorite tattoo is the one that I have on my left calf that resembles my logo and brand, the “Lone Wolf.” My first tattoo is actually now covered up by my arm sleeve, but it was a cross with my grandfather’s birth and death date, along with what I used to call him, “Pop-Pop.”
I have 12 total tattoos on my body, and a full arm sleeve that consists of 5 of them. I would say my favorite tattoo is the one that I have on my left calf that resembles my logo and brand, the “Lone Wolf.” My first tattoo is actually now covered up by my arm sleeve, but it was a cross with my grandfather’s birth and death date, along with what I used to call him, “Pop-Pop.”
What’s your favorite and least favorite aspect of Delaware?
My favorite aspect of Delaware is the way that this state motivates each other to find greatness. As an entire state, I would say we passionately push every individual to be better and exceed the expectations we have set for ourselves. My least favorite aspect of this state is that “everyone knows everyone.” It is near impossible to go to the mall or your local grocery store and shop without seeing or finding someone that you know.
My favorite aspect of Delaware is the way that this state motivates each other to find greatness. As an entire state, I would say we passionately push every individual to be better and exceed the expectations we have set for ourselves. My least favorite aspect of this state is that “everyone knows everyone.” It is near impossible to go to the mall or your local grocery store and shop without seeing or finding someone that you know.
From your experience of shooting both landscapes and portraits, which would you say is the most fun to shoot? Which is more difficult to edit?
With experience comes humbleness. I have been blessed thankfully to have a natural act for landscapes and portraits. When it comes to shooting, I tend to have my most fun doing portraits. The ability to interact with a client, capture their favorite poses, and bring them to an even more pleasant attraction than they expected is something that helps me get through some of the longer shoots that I do. Being able to build rapport with a client and understand them allows the shoot to become more natural and easygoing. Out of the two, though, I would say that editing landscape photography is the more difficult one. Being able to find the right depth and manipulate your surroundings is an act that almost every photographer either already had or adopted when going through their journeys with photography.
With experience comes humbleness. I have been blessed thankfully to have a natural act for landscapes and portraits. When it comes to shooting, I tend to have my most fun doing portraits. The ability to interact with a client, capture their favorite poses, and bring them to an even more pleasant attraction than they expected is something that helps me get through some of the longer shoots that I do. Being able to build rapport with a client and understand them allows the shoot to become more natural and easygoing. Out of the two, though, I would say that editing landscape photography is the more difficult one. Being able to find the right depth and manipulate your surroundings is an act that almost every photographer either already had or adopted when going through their journeys with photography.
You seem to be a big baseball fan…From a photography standpoint, is there anything that draws you towards baseball that might be different than other sports?
With photography, not necessarily. Baseball was, is, and always will be my passion. I played for sixteen years at a competitive level and the game has only grown on me more and more. Learning how to shoot sports photography is something I decided to pick up when I was trying to expand my varieties. I actually began shooting sports photography this year, when I did an exclusive photo shoot with one of my clients that surfs in the Cape Henlopen area. After posting those pictures on social media, I had several athletes ask me to come out and shoot their sports games and commitment photos.
With photography, not necessarily. Baseball was, is, and always will be my passion. I played for sixteen years at a competitive level and the game has only grown on me more and more. Learning how to shoot sports photography is something I decided to pick up when I was trying to expand my varieties. I actually began shooting sports photography this year, when I did an exclusive photo shoot with one of my clients that surfs in the Cape Henlopen area. After posting those pictures on social media, I had several athletes ask me to come out and shoot their sports games and commitment photos.
What is your goal by the end of 2019?
When I started this year in photography, my goal was to book a minimum of 500 appointments. In what seems to be a very quick seven months, I have eclipsed that goal with over 600 bookings from January to July. My end goal for the 2019 year is to eclipse 1,000 bookings and hopefully enhance my brand not only in the Mid-Atlantic region, but nationwide as well.
When I started this year in photography, my goal was to book a minimum of 500 appointments. In what seems to be a very quick seven months, I have eclipsed that goal with over 600 bookings from January to July. My end goal for the 2019 year is to eclipse 1,000 bookings and hopefully enhance my brand not only in the Mid-Atlantic region, but nationwide as well.
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