In-Depth Interview with Elite by Mark Isaac -Munaluchi Bride

MunaLuchi Coterie member and high-end photographer/graphic designer, Mark Isaac, founded Elite by Mark Isaac in 2009 after a moment of fate brought him to photograph the wedding of his aunt. From that point on one photography job led to another until after a decade in the industry, Elite by Mark Isaac has developed a reputation for capturing your most special of moments with professional quality. A fashion-editorial inspired photographer, Mark has a journalistic approach to his work, ensuring to capture every moment of your event.

Learn all about Elite by Mark Isaac in this informative and inspiring in-depth interview.

Name: Mark Isaac
Business Name: Elite by Mark Isaac
Founded: 2009

Describe your business: Elite by Mark Isaac is a high-end photography and graphic design company based in Atlanta, GA. I specialize in fashion, wedding and lifestyle photography, as well as a wide range of custom graphic design services.

What did you do before starting your business in the wedding industry? When I turned 18, I became a licensed real estate agent under my mother. I did very well for about three years or so, especially given my age at that time. The market took a turn and I decided to look into other options. I’m a tech nerd, so I began working at AT&T with their advanced tech support group. While
there I was attending school at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA were a large contribution to the start of my business occurred. My company pretty much started off with party flyers and random photoshoots of classmates on campus. Look at me now!

How long have you been in the wedding industry? I have been in the wedding industry for 9 years. My first wedding was actually my aunt’s in 2010. At
that time I did not own a professional camera, I just had my mom’s point and shoot camera. We attended the wedding and I ended up taking just as many pictures as the hired photographer. My aunt loved the photos and said the magic words, “I’ll pay you for them!” That was the beginning of my wedding photography. I came in contact with a wedding decorator, she asked me to photograph her daughter’s wedding. That wedding turned into another wedding, then another, until eventually my biggest market is what I now call my “Elite Brides.”

How would you describe your style? I am a fashion-editorial inspired photographer. When it comes to weddings, I have a photojournalistic approach to capturing the entire day. I love getting every moment of a wedding from start to finish. Something about seeing the expressions of a couple on their big day. Every little detail counts and I want to catch them.

What motivates you? Making God proud in knowing that I use the gifts of creativity he has blessed me with, to bless others. Also, seeing my growth from my early body of work till my current motivates me to keep going.

Why should brides/grooms choose you? I’m not only a talented photographer, I also have tons of personality to spare! Let’s face it, if you’re going to have someone follow you around for eight plus hours, on one of the biggest days of your life, you should at least enjoy their company. I pride myself on not considering my couples as just another set of clients, but as my friends and family. So we are going to have fun on this day, together!

How does your company define and measure success? The growth of my business is where I define my success. I take a look at my portfolio and the products I now offer, versus five even ten years ago. I see my business moving in the right direction. I also look into how others feel about my business. The more I see people are proud, happy and excited about the things going on in my company, give me insight on what I am doing right.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I must say, the people I meet make my job worthwhile. I meet hundreds of people and their personalities at a time. So I’m always trying to make a lasting impression. Being in the wedding industry, you’re not only working with a bride and groom. You work with their family, friends. And most times you become part of that family and circle of friends. It lead to so much more. A bridesmaid will want you for her wedding. The bride needs you for her maternity pictures a few years down the road. The circle is always growing.

Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry. Actually, I think right now is one of my proudest moments, becoming a member of the Munaluchi Coterie. After I found out what The Coterie was in 2015, doing my first wedding expo in Houston, TX, I was in love and knew I wanted to be a part. Knowing that I’m among a group of top professional in the wedding industry gives me a sense of pride like none other I’ve had since beginning my journey.

What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work? Tears! They say much more than words ever can.

What are your business goals? I would love to have my own studio location here in Atlanta within the next few years. I think at that point my company will feel full circle for me. It will come in due time!

What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry? Seeing everyone’s vision come together. Weddings are a group effort. There are so many components a couple puts into their planning. So being able to be a part of that effort is a joy to me. Plus, I get to be the one to give them the images of everything that will last a lifetime.

What’s your least favorite part of the wedding industry? Leaving the wedding! It’s like going to a great party with your friends and at the end of the night you have to part ways and go home. So I try to keep in touch after so I don’t stay sad too long.

Describe your vision of the “perfect” wedding. I’m personally a fan of over-the-top! It excites me and gives me something to play with. There is nothing like being able to have something to capture the entire day, even just the little things.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Social media has become my best friend. Instagram hashtags and of course Pinterest have been my go to for some time now. It’s great to see what people are doing at their weddings and how photographers are finding creative ways to display them.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? I LOVE to travel! I look forward to the day my business not only takes me all over the United States, but
the world.