Meet Marielle Echavez-Mathis | Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marielle Echavez-Mathis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marielle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I fell in love with storytelling through visual imagery when studying photojournalism in college. I immediately knew that being behind a camera, documenting memories, being creative, and telling stories is what sets my soul on fire. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity to make my dreams come to life, I started my business with the confidence in myself from what I’d learned in college while also knowing that I had so much yet to learn as a business owner and professional photographer/videographer. All the inner-workings of starting a business was very scary at first, but instead of letting fear hold me back, and I let my creative passion push me forward to where I am today. Simply believing in yourself can get you so far.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A few things that set me apart from others are my photojournalism background, documentary approach but with artistic and creative inspiration. I love capturing candid moments with a creative addition of using things like prisms and a filmy feel. My main goal is making sure that my clients are comfortable and having fun in front of the camera. I’ve learned to roll with the punches and go with the flow because every session and couple is unique. I’ve also learned to look at others for creative inspiration not as competition.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and the beauty of this city lies in the mix between the outdoor attractions and the local feel of our bustling city. Some of the most fun places to visit are the Northshore area to walk along the river and pedestrian bridge and visit the unique local shops. We have so many beautiful hikes around our area and some of my favorite outdoor spots are Snoopers Rock, Sunset Rock, Greenway Farms, Cloudland Canyon, and Sculpture Fields. The Bluff View Arts District in Chattanooga is another unique and beautiful, historic area of town that has its own special charm and two of my favorite restaurants: Rembrandt’s Coffee Shop and Tony’s Pasta House & Trattoria.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not taken photojournalism classes with Billy Weeks at the University of TN at Chattanooga. He also pushed me to be involved with Rising Rock which is a student-led media publication. Because of his guidance and support, I became more involved with photo and video, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of Rising Rock which gave me the confidence to be a leader. I also want to give a shoutout to my former peers from these groups because so many of them have inspired me with their creativity and their own business journeys. Amanda Morgan Fann, Madison Frazier, Kaitlyn Evans, to name a few. My family and husband John have supported me through the years as well. John is my biggest cheerleader, the first to like and share every post of mine, my chauffeur, my assistant, my number one supporter. There are so many others I could thank because I am surrounded by an incredible community.

Website: www.mariellejaimedia.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mariellejaimedia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marielle-echavez/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariellemedia

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariellejaimedia

Image Credits
Marielle Jai Media