Welcome to a journey through the lens of passion and perseverance, where every frame tells a story of love, authenticity, and artistic vision. Today, we embark on an exclusive interview with none other than Mija Mera, the visionary force behind Mija Mera Photography.
Join us as we delve into the essence of Mija’s artistry, exploring the influences that shape her unique style and the experiences that fuel her creative fire. Through laughter, love and the occasional mishap, Mija Mera reminds us that true artistry lies not only in technical skill but in the courage to stay true to oneself.
So, grab a cup of your favourite brew, settle into the cosy embrace of inspiration and let the magic of Mija Mera Photography ignite your imagination. This is more than an interview; it’s a celebration of the human spirit and the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to chase their dreams…
Mija, your passion for capturing timeless wedding memories is evident. Can you share with us a particularly memorable moment you’ve experienced while shooting a wedding?
Dear Laura, thank you so much for your invitation; it’s a pleasure to meet you. I think the most memorable moment for all photographers is probably their very first wedding. Back then, during the kiss, there was absolute silence, and I stepped on a stone, which made a loud noise on the floor.
Luckily, everyone took it with humour, and I was able to put my biggest fear of embarrassing myself as a wedding photographer aside right away. Since then, I’ve been able to shrug off little mishaps with a laugh, and funnily enough, they happen to me all the time.
Your editorial style is captivating. How do you ensure each wedding you shoot tells a unique and compelling story?
Thank you very much. Due to my background as an editor, the editorial perspective is always the starting point for my work. Couples book me because of my artistic “signature,” so it’s important that my images have the desired recognition value.
Nevertheless, every wedding couple is unique, every bride and groom is individual, and there are all those little unplanned moments that need to be captured. They are what make every wedding a unique story. That’s why I place a strong focus on details and authentic storytelling in my photography, packaged in a fashion magazine-like aesthetic.
Where do you find your inspiration as a photographer?
I have always been fascinated by fashion magazines, which was probably the reason why I decided to study media and economics. Fashion photography is, therefore, my biggest source of inspiration to this day, which gives my pictures their obvious editorial look. But I also find a lot of inspiration in architecture, art, nature, and the great emotions of life. There are also a few role models whom I admire for their photographic work and who also inspire me a lot.
Overall, however, I try not to be influenced too much by other photographers but simply to stay true to myself. I recently read a great poem about this: ‘Your art is not about how many people like your work, your art is about if your heart likes your work, if your soul likes your work. It’s about how honest you are with yourself, and you must never trade honesty for relatability’ (Rupi Kaur).
How would you summarise your photographic style in a few words?
Finding your own style is a never-ending process and certainly one of the most difficult tasks at the beginning of a career as a photographer. My style is still evolving, which is important because only with evolution comes improvement. Overall, however, my visual language is often described as elegant, minimalist, and iconic. It also has a strong artistic flavour, which gives my photos their unique look and has been described by VOGUE as ‘soul-stirring,’ which I think sums it up well.
You mentioned the importance of creating a relaxed atmosphere for your clients. How do you achieve this amidst the hustle and bustle of a wedding day?
As a wedding photographer, you need to understand that people don’t just book photos; they book the experience. Put simply, people book people. That’s why good chemistry with the bride and groom is particularly important to me; then a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere is naturally created – and this is also reflected in my pictures.
Your own wedding taught you valuable lessons. Could you elaborate on how those experiences have influenced your approach to photography?
Of course, but I’ll be brief so as not to go too far. My own wedding taught me that not everything goes according to plan and that you have to remain flexible. I’ve also learned how important it is to have a good relationship with the vendors and to be able to rely on their professionalism.
That’s why I’m available to my wedding couples throughout the planning process to answer any questions and take over on the day of the wedding if we need to improvise. You should simply be able to enjoy your big day so that the beautiful moments and great memories outweigh the negative ones, even if something doesn’t go as planned.
We’d love to hear more about your furry friends! How do your dogs inspire or influence your work, if at all?
Well, my dogs are certainly my most photographed subject. Above all, they are my retreat to relax after a stressful wedding and get back to everyday life. From a photographic point of view, they have taught me that perfection is not always the most important thing in pictures, but that it is above all individual characteristics or everyday moments that need to be captured.
Unfortunately, our four-legged friends won’t be by our side forever, and I already know that these pictures will be invaluable to me one day.
Being an extrovert who also cherishes alone time must offer unique perspectives. How does this balance reflect in your photography?
I love meeting new people or immersing myself in crowds. But I also enjoy the peace and quiet and time for myself, as mental hygiene, so to speak. I also utilise this balance at a wedding: sometimes you’ll find me in the middle of the action, for example, on the dance floor, to capture the atmosphere up close. Sometimes, however, I deliberately take on the role of an observer and capture the events from an outside perspective: all the unnoticed moments, the small details, and the authentic encounters. Because I find that the candid pictures are often the most beautiful in the end – and they also capture the moments that the wedding couple themselves may have overlooked.
The story of how you met your husband sounds like it’s straight out of a romantic comedy! Can you tell us more about that serendipitous encounter?
Yes, that’s right. Our love story is a classic matchmaking story. One day, mutual friends came up with the idea that we might be a good match and told us about their plan. Neither of us was keen on the idea at first. I mean: What are the odds?! Nevertheless, we agreed to meet up with our friends for a night out. We initially arranged to meet at my house for a few drinks, which meant that my now-husband just turned up on my doorstep that evening.
The rest is history.
Growing up in the USA and traveling the world must have been incredible experiences. How do those multicultural influences shape your photography style?
That’s right; my childhood was certainly not normal. I still love looking at the pictures from those trips today, and they have made me a big fan of film photography. Even back then, we always had a camera with us to capture our adventures – and as I was still a child, I would have forgotten many of my memories without these photos.
So traveling has taught me how valuable pictures can be. I also believe that traveling has given me a different perspective on life. I want to make the most of every moment; I like to experience new things, and when a wedding is in a great location or in a different culture, I just can’t say no.
Family seems to be a cornerstone of your life. How do you incorporate the essence of familial bonds into your wedding photography?
Definitely, I am an absolute family person. I have a very close bond with my parents and sisters, and it’s always fascinating to experience this cohesion in other families at a wedding. Because every family is unique, with its own traditions, emotions, and constellations. I love observing them and capturing them authentically. When I photograph a wedding, I, therefore, always keep an eye on the family members to capture their emotional reactions and interactions. After all, they are often the ones who go unnoticed by the bride and groom but are later the most precious memories.
Laughter is such a powerful force. How do you infuse humour into your work to create genuine moments of joy?
Laughter is a constant companion at weddings. So I don’t see myself as an entertainer but rather as a silent observer of authentic events. I’m also a positive person by nature who likes to laugh a lot – and I’m sometimes a bit clumsy, which regularly makes me and others laugh. So humour flows naturally into my work and makes it a fun experience for everyone involved.
Winning the German championship in hip-hop dance is quite an achievement! How, if at all, does your background in dance inform your approach to capturing movement and emotion in your photographs?
Dancing is still a great passion of mine. It has certainly sharpened my sense of posing and expressing emotions, which makes it easier for me to guide my couples or show them my creative vision. I also like to keep my wedding couples moving, which leads to more vibrant images. This automatically makes the groom and bride feel more comfortable, and the images look much more natural.
Being self-employed for over a decade is impressive. What advice would you give to aspiring photographers looking to carve their path in the industry?
Thank you! Well, the path to self-employment is never easy; that should be clear to everyone. Being a good photographer is not enough to turn it into a successful business. There are many impressive photographers out there. Above all, you need to have the right attitude, a strong will, endless discipline, and patience.
A broad network is also helpful. I would, therefore, advise every photographer to set clear goals, build a strong brand from the outset, and focus a lot on business issues such as marketing, not just photographic development. Ultimately, these are different pieces of the puzzle that only work together.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when you first started your journey as a wedding photographer?
I started photography out of passion; it was never about the money. Nevertheless, I encountered a lot of resistance. Be prepared for the fact that there will be a lot of opinions when you go public with your art. You will receive praise, but also unsolicited criticism. You will probably even lose friends. That can be unsettling. But if you stay true to yourself and walk your path with confidence, you will become successful and meet new people who will enrich your life incredibly.
In my opinion, the most important piece of advice would be to be courageous and authentic, don’t let fears stop you, and don’t let opinions influence you. Because your art will never please everyone. There will always be people who love what you do and people who hate what you do. So just stay true to yourself, and the right couples will find you.
Why do you think you became successful in the industry so quickly?
Strong brands don’t chase; they attract. I have followed this principle from the very beginning, and it has brought me to my goal faster than I could ever have imagined. Of course, the basics have to be right first: the technical and artistic understanding of photography itself. The sooner you know where you want to go, the more purposefully you can work towards it.
With two companies under your belt, how do you manage to balance the demands of both businesses while maintaining your artistic integrity?
This only works with very clear priorities and a lot of consideration for yourself. I have been very exhausted in the past and have learnt to set better boundaries and take care of my health. You inevitably reach your mental and physical limits again and again.
But that’s where I’ve grown incredibly as a person, and I believe that this experience has made me the artist I am today and is reflected in my photographic work. At the same time, I have severely limited the number of weddings I take on so that I can photograph each one with full passion and do my best work for each couple. I also allow myself more breaks between weddings, and this helps me to recharge my “creative battery”.
How has being self-employed shaped you as a personality and photographer?
Over the years, self-employment has repeatedly challenged me and pushed me to my limits. But it has also brought me great success and given me a lot of self-confidence. I now know exactly what I can achieve, and I stand up for myself. Because when you’re self-employed, nobody does it for you – you’re basically a lone wolf.
I’ve also learnt to focus on the next step when I’m faced with an overwhelming task – and not be intimidated by the big picture. This attitude also helps me in wedding photography to stay relaxed and positive even in challenging situations, and it’s certainly reflected in my love of detail and minimalism in photography.
Your commitment to telling authentic stories shines through. How do you ensure that each couple’s unique narrative is preserved in your photographs?
Every wedding is unique by nature: its composition, its location, its people, its events. That’s why no two stories are ever the same, and that’s what makes this work so incredibly exciting.
Our readers love to travel; what destination is at the top of your bucket list? And is there a location where you would particularly like to photograph a wedding?
I have a long list of countries I would like to visit for the first time or again. If I had to decide right now, the Cook Islands would be my choice because my husband and I simply love island life. Professionally, I dream of photographing in Quinta do Muro in Portugal. Overall, I currently have a weakness for modern architecture.
And I love love love love Venice… it would be a dream come true to photograph a wedding there.
Lastly, what keeps you inspired and motivated to continue capturing love stories day after day?
The love, the locations, the wedding dresses, the atmosphere, the details… For me, a wedding feels like a real life editorial set where I can fully unleash my creativity. Not only is there one story to tell, but there are so many unique encounters and moments to capture, which always makes it a fascinating experience, both personally and photographically. But it’s also the people who give me so much appreciation and joy every time. I’ve made so many new friends along the way and look forward to every wedding long in advance.
Where can people follow you and find out more?
I am most active on Instagram under @mija.mera. You can find my website at www.mijamera.com. It is currently being updated and will soon be available in English.
Many thanks for the great conversation; I feel honoured!
As we bid adieu to this captivating conversation with Mija Mera, we’re reminded of the power of authenticity, creativity, and unwavering passion. Her journey serves as a testament to the boundless potential that lies within each of us, urging us to embrace our unique visions and pursue them with fervour.
But the adventure doesn’t end here. Dive deeper into the world of inspiration and discovery by exploring more stories on House of Coco Magazine. From captivating interviews with trailblazers like Mija to insightful features on travel, lifestyle and culture, there’s something to ignite the spark of curiosity in every reader.
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