The Argentine Photographer: Mariana Perrone [inside my journal]

“Sometimes I miss the chaos!” says Argentinian photographer, Mariana Peronne, who swapped life in Buenos Aires for Austria’s far quieter capital, over a decade ago.

She shares her journey from hobby photographer to commercial sharpshooter, snapping celebrities at Vienna’s glitziest events, capturing couples on their wedding day, and photographing commercial products – and offers her advice on how to sell your own photographs.

How did you get into photography?

I began at a young age in Argentina. We had a family camera which I would use to take pictures of our travels, people and nature. It was just a hobby but I loved it.

Later, while pursuing a master's in economics, I stepped into the Faculty of Architecture and Design for some courses in photography. There, I learned how to develop film in the darkroom. 

At that time I was still taking pictures mainly for fun, mostly in black and white but I loved the whole process, from pressing the shutter button, to seeing my pictures come to life slowly; it’s one of the most magical experiences a person can have. 

How did you take your photography from hobby to paid job?

After moving to Austria, I saw that photography could be a professional path for me. So I invested two years attending a course at Fotoschule Wien, Vienna’s photography school. I was new to the country so I was not only learning about lenses, shutter speeds and lighting, but it was also total immersion into the German language. 

During the first year we covered the basics, and in the second year it was a deeper dive where we studied all types of photography both from a professional perspective and an artistic angle. 

My first paid photography work was for a wedding and a christening for a friend. They were happy with the results, and I started getting more offers of work after that.

What type of photography do you do professionally?

I have done quite a range: kids, portraits, products and weddings. I have also done a lot of event photography which I really love. Some of the most memorable jobs I did included: Vienna’s Life Ball, one of the biggest annual charity events in the world where I got to shoot celebrities in costume and even at the airport; UN Conferences, where I got to listen to the speakers as well as take the photos; and inside the Wiener Konzerthaus where a famous composer – Hans Zimmer – was performing for the Event Hollywood in Vienna. Some of my pictures were later featured on the inlay of the Concert CD. 

What’s your journal setup and how do you use it for your photography work?

My journal is an essential part of the process. I have a grand voyageur [pocket] in red. It’s very old with lots of scratches but still looks great. I have a plain book refill and some vintage pads with a lovely illustration which is now rare – paper republic don’t make it anymore!

Whenever I meet a client for the first time, my journal is with me, because I take notes about their needs. Then I go home and prepare for the shoot by writing down the shot list, what I need for that, and how the session should be organised.

And when I am at the shoot – if it’s an event with people – I take notes of the atmosphere, which I use later to try and reproduce it. Sometimes a picture doesn’t capture the atmosphere, so by recording my impressions of the ambiance, I am able to make my final images a closer representation of the event as it happened.

I also use my journal for my personal photography projects; I have a vision of the image I want to create, and then I sketch out ideas of how I want the final image to look, for example, the colours, the shapes to capture; if I want it to be a square or rectangle image etc. I use my drawing book for that. I also have a notebook where I stick a polaroid picture of every wedding couple that I have shot, so I have a personal record.

Which photograph are you most proud of?

It's a picture I took in Stephenson Cathedrale in Vienna for a Life+ Charity Event where the former Cardinal Schönborn and the singer, Dorreta Carter are portrayed. They are looking at each other, and behind there's an orange backlight, so their skin is glowing from one side. It's such a beautiful photo.

What makes paper republic journals ideal for your photography work?

One very important thing that paper republic offers which I have not found with other notebooks is that the ink dries, very, very fast. I'm left-handed, so smudging my writing has always been a problem with other paper. With paper republic’s notebooks and book refills, I can finally use my fountain pen again!

For my photography, the grand voyageur pocket is the ideal companion, because I can open it fast, close it quickly, and keep it in my pocket. I don't need to open a bag to get to it. That’s really handy for my work because I have to write a lot of notes.

Also, I chose red leather because it really stands out and means I don’t accidentally leave it behind. Another good choice for a photographer would be a portfolio [a4], because it can hold accessories like extra SD cards or a cloth for your lenses. 

What would be your dream photography project be?

I’d love to create a travel photography book; spending a few weeks visiting somewhere I have never been to before – Japan for example – and turning all the photos into a book. I’d also love to do that for my home country. We have many wonderful places in Argentina, such a huge diversity of natural landscapes, from high mountains, to coastline to desert. It’s an underrated country.

What’s your advice to people who would like to sell their photographs?

First, you must take a lot of photographs to practise. Then you need to show your photos as much as possible. Try to build an online presence but find several channels. Instagram is an obvious place to be, but don’t rely on Instagram alone. Maybe someone will see your pictures on Facebook. And other person finds you on TikTok. For me, it was important to also have a blog and share my work and the ideas behind my pictures, because I could build a community.  

Also, tell people you are a photographer. Spreading the word among your physical networks is just as important as building an online community. Because it’s the people in real life who are most likely to hire you, especially if they already know you.

See more of Mariana's excellent photography on her Instagram channel @marianaperroneph.

What's inside YOUR journal? Share your story with us!

How? Email: sam@paper-republic.com with a brief summary of how you use your journal, adding 'inside my journal' to the email subject line.