Mariana Herrera Mosli is majoring in Communications with a minor in Journalism at UT. What sets her apart from other students is that she successfully runs her own photography company, Kismis Ink.
The Minaret was given the opportunity to interview Herrera Mosli and ask her a few questions about what it’s like to be a student and run a company at the same time.
The Minaret (M): When did you start Kismis Ink?
Marina Herrera Mosli (MHM): I started it about a year ago. This December will actually be the one year anniversary.
M: What inspired you to start Kismis Ink?
MHM: I met this girl on Facebook who was enrolling at UT too. We met during orientation and I had my camera with me, so she asked me to take some pictures of her. They came out well so I thought, “Hey let’s do a shoot.” Another friend saw us doing that and asked if they could do one too. I put all these pictures up on Facebook and everyone seemed to enjoy it and my first shoot was actually booked because of that.
M: In a way, Facebook is responsible for your success? All it’s ever done for me is let me find hot bikini pics. Is photography what’s in your future then?
MHM: I’m not sure yet. I know I want to do photojournalism and travel, maybe do some news pieces. I definitely want to do something with photography and writing. I run a blog and I write some short stuff for the pictures I take, so that let’s me do both things I enjoy.
M: What’s in store for the future of Kismis Ink? Any big plans coming up soon for your company?
MHM: I’d love to see Kismis Ink on billboards and magazines. And that fantasy has almost become a reality. I’m traveling to New York this weekend to do a fashion shoot, and we just got our first ad in a magazine called “Unveiled.”
M: Did you ever feel discouraged or like giving up on Kismis during the last year?
MHM: All the time. Photography is a very competitive business. You’ve gotten people who went to school for years and have degrees in how to take pictures. Then you have people who just picked a camera up yesterday and they think that makes them a photographer. All these people are competing together. Passion helps, but in the end, it’s a business.
M: How much would you charge to take photographs of a birthday party?
MHM: A portrait shoot costs $350. I charge $2500 for a wedding which would be about four hours of coverage. All packages pretty much grow from there.
M: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to break out and start their own business?
MHM: If you have an idea and want to get it going or want to make your own business, go for it. Don’t let anything stop you, don’t let the unknown scare you. If you don’t know how to do the accounting or how to set up a website, find someone who can support and who can help you with it. But make your dream happen.
M: Do you have anyone who fills that support role for you? Does anyone help run Kismis Ink?
MHM: No, it’s just me. Whenever I don’t know something or I don’t know what to do, I go to Google. I Google everything. But no one helps me with running the business, I do it all.
If you want to get in touch with Marina or check out any of her work, see her website at www.kismisink.com.
Think someone you know could be the next Spartan of the Week? Email us at minaret.news@gmail.com with the person’s name, contact information and a brief explanation of what makes them awesome!
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