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

Hi Maria, do you have a budget? how do you think about personal finances?
I don’t have a budget, because with my job every month is different, but I usually tend to be very accurate and mindful in planning my finances, but at the same time I can do crazy things when I really really want something, like in the past, when I bought my first motorcycle, I knew I need 3 month of salary, and I literally had 20 euro left, and I make it work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a cinematographer and colorist based in LA. Now I have a team called Marioski (like my nickname), with my husband who is also my co-DP. The cool thing about our team is, two minds are better than one, lol, because together we can create more complete final product, as me being more on artistic side and he being more on the technical side. So, we really help each other. And clients love it! Have started from photography helped me a lot on both sides, in cinematography and in color correction, this way I already had a base and a different point of view. It’s always the best to absorb as much as you can as an artist. The most important lesson I have learned along my way is not to be scared of showing your artistic point of view and not be scared to make mistakes. The rules are just guidelines.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely use that week in the best way possible! By showing my personal places of power and favorite spots. Beginning with riding a motorcycle along PCH to Malibu, enjoying the sun and the ocean. When going to Pizzeria Sei in Culver City to have the best Italian pizza, have a ride across Downtown, go to Perch and enjoy the view, visit couple more of most different and significant parts of LA like Glendale, Getty Museum, Griffith Observatory by night. When have sushi at Sugarfish. Oh, and I would never miss the Orange County! I think is the must. There is also the best Gelato homemade from an Italian guy, called Mangiamo Gelato Café in Huntington Beach, if you ever asked yourself how the real Italian gelato taste like, that is definitely the place for you. All my friends love gelato!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, people who supported me and support me today may not all be the same thru all this years, but, I really grateful to all of them and want to thank my family and my husband Francesco who is also my Co-Cinematographer, for all the encouragement and support!

Website: www.marioski.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marioski.photo/

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

Image Credits
4 photos from my portfolio: “The Role Play of Life” short film, “Nikolai Bombeow – Vogue” music video, Olga Move concert, Melancholy Fashion film with 838 Media Group. 4 BTS photos: BTS of Hard Summer Music Festival, BTS of “The Role Play of Life” short film, BTS in Old Fast Glass Rental house.

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