We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miranda Suess. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miranda below.
Miranda, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Reflecting on how I arrived at pursuing what I love today, I remember starting my journey in photography at a young age. Around 2005, I received my first point-and-shoot camera and began taking photos of my neighbors and high school friends. I would pose them and style their hair and makeup to help them feel beautiful. During the early 2000s, MySpace was popular, and I uploaded photos to my MySpace page for friends to download and print images I had shot of the kids I babysat.
By age 17, I had developed a portfolio and was ready to apply to the local Picture Me! Portrait Studio located in Walmart near my home. Within six months, thanks to my sales, posing, and customer service skills, I was promoted to studio manager just before turning 18. At high school house parties, I became known as the “girl with the camera,” capturing candid moments and group photos of my friends.
My grandfather, who was both a police officer and a wedding photographer, recognized my passion for photography before I took it too seriously. As a graduation gift, he gave me one of his DSLR cameras, the Nikon D90, which was one of the latest professional models at the time. Despite my studio experience, I relied solely on auto mode and had no knowledge of how to operate the camera manually. Eventually, I quit as a studio manager and photographer to embark on a journey of self-discovery throughout my early 20s, temporarily setting aside my camera.
Fast forward to 2014, the year my grandfather passed away. I picked up the Nikon D90 once more and tried to learn how to use its manual settings by practicing at family events and while traveling with my roommate. My family and my roommate, Sam, always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue photography. However, I laughed off their suggestions, convincing myself that photography was merely a hobby while I settled for a “professional” office job and waited tables for job security.
In 2015, I began working as an event photographer on the side, earning a modest $50 to $100 per gig, capturing college frat and sorority parties.
The following year, in 2017, I started dating my boyfriend. When we visited Joshua Tree, I brought my camera to document our travels. I was eager to capture the sunset so I could print and frame it in our apartment. He expressed frustration, telling me I should focus on living in the moment rather than being behind the camera. I became emotional, sharing how much I wanted to freeze those moments in my memory; my reason for bringing the camera was to capture the sunset for our home. In that moment, he understood the significance photography held for me and recognized it as my passion. He never questioned my choices again.
That same year, I shot my first wedding. Afterward, I dedicated many evenings after work to editing my first batch of wedding photos. My boyfriend noticed how much time I was spending on the edits and how much I seemed to enjoy the process. He encouraged me to start a business and charge for my work!
To everyone out there searching for purpose, I ask: “Why not get paid for doing what you love?”
With that extra push of encouragement from my boyfriend, along with support from family, friends, and clients who began to book and pay for my photography services, I realized I could earn a living by doing what I loved. I created a website, set up Instagram and Facebook accounts, and officially registered my business to start getting paid. Initially, I felt guilty for charging, as this had been a side hustle for years until I transitioned to full-time work in 2020.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Miranda Suess, a wedding photographer based in Jersey City, New Jersey. I am passionate about the art of photography, as well as getting to know my couples and documenting the sweet moments of their wedding day.
Memories fade, and the only things left after a wedding day are the captured moments. I take my job seriously, capturing all the laughs, hugs, tears, and wild dance moves so that my couples can enjoy their day and have something to treasure afterward.
One of my greatest skills as a wedding photographer is posing. I guide my subject to where to stand for the best composition or light and direct a natural moment in this placement that way the photo is beautiful and also natural. I remind my subjects how to have correct posture, where to place their hands, too. During couples’ sessions I do guide them to capture a more candid style session instead of being too posey. The last thing I want my couples to feel is awkward and look back on their photos feeling uncomfortable in that moment. I want to capture my couples feeling like themselves – acting as if I wasn’t there.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Communication – This is a big one I always am working on. As a business owner, when taking in leads, respond ASAP, and if you can’t do it within 24 hours, set an expectation when you can get back to them in a contact form or signature line in emails.
Timeliness – Arrive early to your projects or scheduled meetings. Never have your clients waiting.
Be 3-steps ahead – predict questions and create a FAQ website page and create preparation guides/timelines to help your clients know what to expect.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
By 2024, I made a powerful decision to enhance my social life, recognizing the impact it would have on my hours spent building my brand online. Fortunately, the extensive time I dedicated to my craft laid the foundation for a business that allows for a fulfilling social life. I am still on the journey toward a better work-life balance. As I sit here reflecting, it’s clear that it’s time to update my portfolio and blogs!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suessmoments.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suessmomentsweddings/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MirandaSuess
Image Credits
My profile photo is by @alinadelfino and the photos in my portfolio are by me @suessmomentsweddings
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
