We recently connected with Emma Marchione and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Emma, really appreciate you opening up about a very personal topic with the hopes that it can help someone out there who might be going through it. What can you share with us about your journey with postpartum depression and how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Towards the end of 2023, after having my first child, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I had a loss of identity. I didn’t recognize the person in the mirror. My life became very black and white. There was no happiness, no color. I had a great support system that encouraged me to seek help. I’ve always struggled with mental health in the past, being diagnosed in 2019 with bi-polar disorder. After months of therapy and medications I started to feel like myself again. I have always been a creative person and worked with wedding photographers in the past. I wanted to create my own brand, my own name. In January of 2024, I started my own business, Star Crossed Weddings and in May of 2024, I started my own magazine, Star Crossed Magazine. These creative outlets have helped me find my passion for being creative again.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I work as both a wedding photographer and publisher. My photography business is Star Crossed Weddings, a New York based wedding photography service. I focus primarily on engagement sessions and weddings. My favorite part of the job is meeting new people. I have met some amazing people- whether they are clients or vendors. When clients reach out to me, I feel so honored to capture their love and document their story. Each session has its own vibe, and I love all the different ways I can get creative.
As for Star Crossed Magazine, I created this for all photographers, big and small. I spent years submitting my work to magazines to be published. I was declined more times than accepted. One day an idea came to me. I could start my own magazine, and I can give other photographers a way to show off their work and connect with other photographers. I am so proud of the outcome, and I hope to keep moving forward with this publication. I have already connected with such amazing and talented creatives.
I chose the name ‘Star Crossed’ because I wanted to match with people who go against the grain. I want to meet and work with different, unusual, and extraordinarily creative souls.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities I admire are individuality, confidence and resilience. You have to stand out when you are in a saturated market such as wedding photography. You are a dime a dozen; you have to think “what is the client looking at when they see my work?” What sets you apart from every other photographer in your area? Why should they hire you? Soon, you’ll realize that not every inquiry is a good match. I only post work with a certain vibe and editing style to attract clients who seek those kinds of photos. You have to be self-assured that your work is good, and people want it. Imposter Syndrome is so prevalent nowadays. It is so easy to compare our work to others. I was guilty of that when I first started. But we all have to start somewhere. Thae hardest part is not giving up. There were so many times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I stayed resilient, and I saw things through. If it were easy, everybody would do it.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Being a small business owner in itself is very overwhelming. As a wedding photographer, not only do you need to book, shoot and edit, but you need to be your own accountant and social media specialist. When I get overwhelmed, I try to take a step back and remind myself why I started doing this in the first place. This is my job and its work, but I’m supposed to enjoy it. I implemented business hours for myself, so I am allowed to have time off. When I first started, I lacked boundaries and answered emails and calls any time, any day. Set a schedule for yourself, it will help keep your from being burnt out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.starcrossedweddingsny.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starcrossedweddings.ny/
Image Credits
Photographer: Star Crossed Weddings
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
