Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Irene Muccio.
Hi Donna Irene, 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?
I picked up a camera for the first time when I was just 13 and spent the next four years of high school shooting self-portraits every day in my backyard. At 17, I had my first professional photography job and my sophomore year of college, I joined the Entrepreneurship program at Florida State and was able to start my wedding photography business!
Since then, I’ve photographed destination weddings around the world and have spent the past five years doing commercial photography for companies such as Goldman Sachs, Door Dash, WestJet Airlines, Princess Cruises, Kelloggs, and more 🙂
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that being a professional photographer can feel like a rollercoaster of ups and downs at times. Some months are slow and make you question if it’s worth it, and other months you have amazing opportunities that come about and make it all worth it. My biggest struggle is that some days I wish I could work in an office and have coworkers I would see every day since working from home can be lonely! But overall, I’m so thankful for a career that gives me the freedom to do what I want with my time and be there for the people I love!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in destination weddings, elopements, and commercial photography. I’m very proud of the opportunities I’ve been able to create for myself with destination weddings and have gotten to shoot in Colombia, Greece, Yosemite, Mexico, Iceland, and have many exciting destinations on the books!
I am also extremely proud of the commercial photography opportunities I’ve been able to have shooting for Fortune 500 companies. It can be scary shooting for such high-profile names, but at the end of the day it feels great to know that out of everyone out there, they chose me because they saw something in my work!
I believe that my work is unique because it’s very natural, vibrant, and authentic. I don’t do any studio work at the moment so I bring a lifestyle approach into my commercial photography which you don’t see as often. But I believe it communicates the most genuine story and that’s why I love it!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think the best lesson for anyone starting their own business is to believe in yourself, be willing to put in the work, and fake it till you make it. You may not feel capable or confident at first, but that comes with time and putting yourself out there.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $4,500
- Commercial photography starts at $500/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: donnairenephotos@gmail.com
- Website: www.donnairenephotography.com
- Instagram: lifeoverstuff
