23 Feb Meet the Photographer: Marielen Cestari Baldino of Mari Cestari Photography
Hi, my name is Marielen Cestari Baldino! I am from Brazil, and I currently live in Doha-Qatar.
Favorite Movie: It is very difficult to choose a single film, but the first film that came to my mind was Gone with the Wind, so probably this is my favorite movie. I also love TV series like Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family.
Favorite Book: For inspiration I read Annie Leibovitz at Work, and for fun I like to read Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (I read all the books and they are very funny and relaxing).
Favorite Lens: 50mm 1.8 – I know it is a cheap and simple lens, but I believe that is why I love this lens, it is simple but you can get great results with this lens.
Favorite Magazine: National Geographic. I remember always looking at this magazine on newsstands and wondering if I would take the same photos; I was in such incredible places. I like a Brazilian magazine named Técnica e Prática, it iss a small production but very useful, with amazing tips for photographers.
Favorite Website or Blog: I love this Brazilian blog — the author spent a whole year without buying a single item of clothing, and showed that we can be well dressed without spending money, using creativity and the clothes that we already have in the closet but we never use . She started the blog because she was in debt; after a year and now without debt, she continues writing the blog to show how we can consume consciously. The blog is named Um Ano Sem Zara.
Favorite Music: I like country music, pop rock, classic music, samba, jazz, MPB (Brazilian popular music) … it is impossible choose one genre.
Favorite Store: I wanted to write that I like the bookstores, and give the impression that I am an intellectual, but I really like any store having a sale — I can’t resist!
Favorite Local Spot: When I was living in Brazil, I loved to spend time at Ibirapuera Park, a beautiful place with green in the middle of Sao Paulo. Now that I am living at Doha, my favorite place is the beach, especially when my dog is with me!
Photographer Idol: I really appreciate the work of Annie Leibovitz, but the work of photographer Fernanda Giarato is what inspires me. I was pleased to attend a workshop with her, and her pictures convey exactly what she is. This is what I want for myself … I want people to know me and think that my photos are a representation of my personality.
Favorite Instagram Accounts: I like interesting Instagrammers, @rafaelmantesso and @andrewknapp are my favorites! I wish I had their creativity.
Favorite Pinners on Pinterest: I looked at my Pinterest and couldn’t decide. I pin all the good photos that I think are inspirational, and I love DIY projects!
Favorite Quotation: “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams
Most Interesting Place I’ve Traveled: I went to Sevilla – Spain last month; it is not the most interesting place, but I was there for work, as I was invited to photograph a baptism. It was a great honor for me. I know that for many photographers travel for work is normal, but it was my first time and I thought, “I think I’m doing something right”.
Favorite Family Vacation Spot: London, no doubt about it. This was our first holiday after our move to Doha, and we really needed this vacation to relax. It is such hard work moving to a different country!
Guilty Pleasure: Makeup. I can’t deny myself a good eye shadow.
If money were no object, my occupation would be: Photographer! I was a lawyer and was not happy, so I decided to work at something that would give me pleasure and pride. I transformed my hobby into a profession, so I am certainly not looking for money.
What Makes Me Memorable: I always worry about people who are close to me; my family and my friends know they can count on me, and I think this is my best quality
A Favorite Personal Photograph: My wedding day. I was so happy, and I will always remember that day. Most importantly, I am still happy in my marriage!
A Favorite Photograph from Your Business: This photo represents the pure and innocent love of a child by his mother and his brother. In addition, the picture is simple. I want my photos to be like this: simple, happy and full of love.
Thank you for the introduction, Marielen! For more from Marielen, and for booking inquiries, visit Marielen’s website, and Like her Facebook page.
Wedding photo courtesy of Estúdio Chromo.
1 Comment