365 Challenge Weekly Favorites Winner

Congrats to our 365 weekly favorites winner Marybeth Del Rio. We love this beautiful image.

Here is a little bit about this awesome photographer.

Hi my name is Marybeth Del Rio, I am a homeschooling SAHM of three, currently working to open my own photography business (should be open here soon!!). I’m lucky to live in Southern California, so I get to comfortably shoot outside year round! I love God, food, watching anime, knitting, and a good glass of wine.

When I was 17, I was hired to work at a local photo studio that catered to teenage and young adult females. It was the “thing” to get your portraits done there and pass them out like trading cards. While working there, I got to view the portfolio of a manager from another store who ran her own on location business on the side. That sounded awesome!! But I started my family young and was pressured to pursue a “real” career. That never worked out for me and my husband and I decided I should just stay home with our kids. The whole time, I still LOVED taking pictures of people (mostly my kids), and felt the need to help support my family. My husband pushed me to explore photography more, but I told myself there wasn’t any point in studying photography if all I had was a point and shoot. So when I got my Rebel in 2012, I really had no more excuses and focused on learning. As far as my motivation, I love capturing how beautiful God makes each of us, and the beauty that is around us. I found myself drawn to shooting high school seniors. Those sessions just always leave me feeling super elated, especially when I have a model who just goes with the flow and is happy to let me just do my thing. I recently received a text from a senior model that said, “...you made me look beautiful and I really appreciate it.” It filled my heart to the brim that I was able to make someone feel that way! 

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone just starting out in photography? 

Learn to shoot in manual! I cannot stress this enough. Your camera is your most important tool. You can try to take the most creative picture seen to mankind but it won’t mean a thing if don’t take it with the correct settings. Also, try to shoot everyday. You can’t grow if you don’t practice! A 365 project is GREAT for this! 

Who inspires you? 

My number one inspiration right now is Sue Bryce. I love her artistry. I just look at her styled shoots amazed at her vision and her ability to bring it to life. But mostly, her passion to make women feel beautiful speaks to me. I grew up with a horrible self image, which was why I always stood behind the camera and not in front of it. It took a long time for me to feel beautiful (I still struggle with it sometimes). I want everyone that stands in front of my lens to feel beautiful. I’m also part of a group of women that started as a discussion group for a workshop we took together. Since then, we have grown very close. Seeing everyone’s growth, and following their personal journeys with struggles and triumphs keeps me going. It reminds me that I am not alone in what I am doing, and if they can do it, so can I. 

Are you a Nikon or Canon fan? 

Canon. I have a silly reason behind it, but that’s what it is. 

What is your favorite lens and why? 

This is hard! I have only ever had the kit lenses that came with my Rebel (which are gone since I traded my gear for a 5D classic) and my nifty fifty! I do have to say that I have been dreaming about a 70-200mm (which will hopefully be in my possession here soon), I need a focal length that won’t distort the face of my subjects when I come in for close ups and having that kind of reach sounds so alluring, since I mainly shoot outdoors. It doesn't help that everyone I know that has one absolutely loves it! 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

Honestly, I hope I have a senior photography business that fits the vision I have now, which is that I will be a photographer that does more than just take pictures, that I will create an experience that makes my subjects feel like rock stars. I hope it thrives enough to allow me to help my hubby and I OWN a home (hopefully in TEXAS!), and also fund my daughter’s super expensive dance habit, and whatever activities I know my boys will be in by then. I just want to be doing what I love and have time to spend with the people I love. I also hope I will be in a position where I can somehow help other photographers starting out. I was only able to grow because of the wonderful people who share their knowledge and experience to those like me, and I would LOVE to give back to the community in the same way!