Meet Marisa Mizunaka, a Hawaii-based elopement photographer who uses her art to create meaningful connections and tell stories that feel truly authentic. For her, photography is much more than just capturing images—it’s about celebrating love in its most unique and personal forms.

Marisa’s journey into photography was inspired by her father, who always encouraged her to follow her passions. But stepping into this career wasn’t easy. She had to overcome fear and push past societal expectations to pursue what she truly loved.

Now, Marisa has built a career that’s not defined by numbers or external validation, but by the deep relationships she forms with her clients and the heartfelt moments she captures. Her passion lies in connecting with couples, honoring their stories, and helping them see the beauty in their journey together.

How Did Marisa Do It?

1. Redefining Success:
   Marisa realized that success isn’t about money—it’s about rewriting the narrative of her life, focusing on what she truly values: “Success is more about changing what you believe about yourself and writing a better story.”
   
   
2. Shifting Her Relationship With Money:
   Through the Six-Figure Business Map, Marisa learned to view money neither as something to fear nor worship. This shift helped her align her goals with her values and made her journey as an elopement photographer more rewarding.
   
   
3. Focusing on Connection:
   For Marisa, the heart of her business is human connection. She set a goal to connect intentionally with 20 creatives, focusing on building relationships that inspire her and fuel her passion.“It’s not about the photos at the end of the day—it’s about the human connection.”
   
   
4. Creating With Purpose:
   Marisa approaches her work with empathy and intentionality, striving to help clients see themselves in a more loving, present, and empowered way. Her art is a tool for connection, not just a product.

Marisa’s Biggest Wins

Clarity in Her Purpose: Marisa redefined success on her own terms, allowing her to run her business with confidence and authenticity.

Connection Over Sales: By focusing on relationships rather than transactions, she transformed her approach to photography and business.

Personal Growth: Marisa overcame her fear of failure and societal expectations, embracing her true passions and values.

Meaningful Goals: Her focus on connecting with others has reinvigorated her love for photography and storytelling.

What We Learnt From Marisa

Marisa’s journey as an Elopement photographer is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold—it’s about aligning your work with your values and focusing on what truly matters. For Marisa, that’s human connection, storytelling, and empowering others to live more present and loving lives.

Her message is simple yet profound:

“It’s not about the photos—it’s about the connection and what I can give to help you live your life more fully.”

Marisa’s story inspires us to redefine success, pursue our passions, and create a life built on purpose and connection.

Want to know more about Marisa?

Check out her website here , follow her instagram here

Want to hear Marisa’s experience from the Six-Figure Business Map?