Meet Marco Colucci | Lifestyle, Advertising, Travel & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marco Colucci and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marco, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Scary. I come from a family that are mostly entrepreneurs that have been successful in framing and construction. It’s an achievement I’ve always wanted to accomplish (to work for myself) I’ve seen first hand what hard work and determination can accomplish, it reaps many benefits. Anytime I ever had a 9-5 job I always knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else except myself, and I always dreamed of having my own photo business. I do believe the 9-5 jobs though play a very valuable roll in starting your owns business. They teach you to always be busy, complete your tasks and always, always, always value your work. They also motivate you to work harder so you can achieve your goals. During the time i moved to LA, and started my photo business, I was a studio manager for a fashion photographer, and worked at a coffee shop. When i quit, I was pretty busy with work, and very confident in my ability to stay busy. My thought process of starting was to network with people in the photo world, while constantly shooting and bettering my skills. As a freelancer I knew that I wouldn’t be getting a consistent paycheck, sometimes I would have to work jobs i didn’t want to to be able to pay the bills.

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.
The experiences with my camera have led and continue to lead me to places and people I will never forget. From having a formal education at Hallmark Institute of Photography (where I was taught by names such as Gregory Heisler) to assisting Robert Clark (National Geographic) to photographing the United States Ambassador to Argentina, Deepak Chopra, photographing actors/actresses on set, I’ve learned that nothing is given to you. if you sit and wait for a phone call it will never come. You have to go out there, and get it. I love connecting with people and love hearing peoples stories so I can portray what makes them unique individual. It’s never the same and I think thats what keeps me going, and not getting bored of my job. Growing up in San Diego, I have a real attraction to a sunny, active Southern California lifestyle, and thats an outlet I have chosen to create upon.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first – California burrito. My two favorite places to bring people who have never been to San Diego is either In-n-Out, or going to get a California burrito (if you know me you know I never shutup about those burritos, ha!) I’d spend a day in SD going to Petco Park, and hang around in Gaslamp District, and little Italy. Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities, so with that I would go to Cleveland National Forrest, Palos Verdes in LA, or the caves in Delmar that are right off the coast. Super beautiful spot that never disappoints! Can’t forget about grabbing a beer at “Najas Place” in Hermosa. If the Rams are playing, let’s go see them at the new So-Fi stadium! The Comedy Store would be a must and we’d have to catch a concert at the forum or Staples Center to top of the trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I went to a school called “Hallmark Institute of Photography” in Massachusetts. All my teachers taught me valuable skills that 100% helped me where I am today, the friends I made that are also photographers, motivated me to always better myself and motivated me everyday i was there, and still do when I see the big things they are doing with their work. Photographers that I’ve assisted, and fellow assistants that taught me “real world” advice that I didn’t learn in school. But most importantly, my family – they’ve taught me to never settle, work hard, stay motivated, always treat people with respect, and value myself in the work I do.

Website: www.marcocolucci.com
Instagram: _marcolucci_

Image Credits
Personal Photo Taken by My brother Aniruddh Kothari Website : https://www.aniruddhphoto.com/