Meet Marlene Rivera | Commercial and Brand Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marlene Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marlene, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One of my favorite affirmations is, “I am becoming everything I’ve ever needed.”

To me, it’s a powerful reminder that healing, growth, and success are not about chasing validation or waiting for someone else to complete me. It’s about honoring my own journey, reclaiming my voice, and building a life and business that reflects who I truly am. I love how it centers my power. Especially as a Puerto Rican woman, mom, a Veteran, and creative entrepreneur. Every time I say it, I feel grounded, reminded that I am enough and that I’m allowed to evolve on my own terms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in storytelling. Musa Natural Photography isn’t just about creating beautiful images, it’s about helping business owners show up with confidence, clarity and authenticity. I specialize in brand photography that feels intentional, emotive and aligned with the heart behind the business.

I’ve been building businesses for over 20 years and immersed in the world of marketing for nearly 15, so when it comes to branding, I know what works. I got into brand photography because I was them, a business owner who needed images that felt like me. I didn’t want stiff or generic photos. I wanted to show the human behind the hustle, a mom, a daughter, a Veteran, someone real. I wanted my customers to feel my energy and connect with my story. Now I help other entrepreneurs do the same, stand out, show up and shine through visuals that reflect their truth.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’ve built this business while navigating life and healing from trauma. I stayed committed even when self-doubt crept in. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that your story is your superpower. The very things I once thought made me “too much” or “not enough” have become the foundation of my brand.

Musa Natural Photography is where my passion and purpose meet. I’m here to help businesses and entrepreneurs own their story and show up with visuals that feel like them. Their brand deserves to be seen, remembered and deeply felt.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Haha okay … confession time … I’ve lived here for over 8 years and still haven’t truly explored the city for myself. Most of my outings consist of kid birthday parties, the aquarium, carline, and lately traveling. So if my best friend came to visit, it’d be the perfect excuse to finally be a tourist in my own city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely, there’s no way I could tell my story without honoring the people and moments that helped shape me. First and foremost my children have been my biggest motivation. They’ve taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of building something meaningful not just for myself but for them too.

I also have to shoutout my close friends and chosen family who’ve supported me through every pivot, late night brainstorm sessions, and moments of doubt. Their love and encouragement have carried me more times than I can count.

Professionally I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors, coaches, and fellow creatives who shared their knowledge so generously. And honestly, I want to give credit to therapy and actually putting into action what I learned. That’s where the real change happens. A lot of people stop at just going to therapy but it’s the daily practice and self-healing work that truly shifted things for me.

Every person, every lesson, and every challenge has played a role in helping me build Musa Natural Photography into what it is today.

Website: https://www.MusaNaturalPhotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MusaNaturalPhotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusaNaturalPhotography

Image Credits
Musa Natural Photography