Photographer couples: Dani & Mishka — Daniel Lopez Perez Photography

Dani & Mishka — Daniel Lopez Perez Photography

Partners in Crime. Photographer couples who work together

It's time to introduce you to our Guatemala-based couple: Dani and Mishka, whose romance started in a pretty amusing Nebraska-style way.

Soon after they became a couple, they moved to a new country, where they ran a hotel. This was a start of their work together. The shared some witty tips on how they manage arguments, how they divide skills and organise their work, as well as funny stories they'll tell their grandchildren that happened to them at work - the downside, or rather benefit of working together?

Scroll down and we guarantee their interview will put a smile on your face.

— How did you two meet?

We met in college when Mishka was studying in my hometown of Murcia, in Spain. Our professor (in a photography class, oddly enough) introduced us when I found out that I was going to be studying abroad in Nebraska, where Mishka is from. Like a good midwestern girl, she gave me her phone number, mothers address, email and everything except for a social security number so that I would have contacts once I arrived in Nebraska. We dated for a short while and then after college decided to really give it a try by moving to a new country together, which ended up being Guatemala.

— How did you start working as a couple?

Our first year in Guatemala we ran a small hotel together which basically set the foundation of working together. When I got my first email to shoot a wedding, I knew I would feel more comfortable with someone by my side, and since she was already familiar with photography, I had her come along as a second shooter. From there, there was no going back!

Photo by The Mullers Photo. Co.

— How do your skills compliment each other?

I'm definitely the more technical and detail oriented of the two, so I take care of organizing, emails and all the logistics of covering weddings. However, once we are there, Mishka is amazing with people and the creativity aspect of our job. She really knows how to make people feel comfortable and taken care of so I can focus on composition, light, etc. We both take turns coming up with ideas during shoots and weddings to give space and time to the other to come up with the next idea. That way the couple never gets bored and we optimize photo-taking time during tight wedding schedules.

— What do you when you disagree?

I think we apply a lot of the same strategies to our work that we do to our marriage. Open, honest communication, respect and trust are the pillars of our shared value system, which we try to keep in mind with any disagreement. It's also a huge part of our approach to work in general.

We use a number system to communicate how strongly we are feeling one certain way or another, which I think helps us to not get super heated and allows us to know when to back down. For example, if I feel super strong about something in regards to how to move forward with a difficult client, I will say "I'm feeling like I'm at an 8 out of 10 on this" which tells Mishka that I'm feeling strong with what I think we should do, but also keeps my tone and agitation level in check.

While some disagreements do reach a heightened emotional level, we try to not let any disagreements go unresolved, to avoid baggage and future resentment. There has definitely been a learning curve, but after a couple of years we learned where each others' strengths and weaknesses were, so we each knew where to compensate for the other.

— What's the tip you'd give to other couples considering working together?

I would define what values are most important to you both as a team, that way whenever you move forward working together, you have something to look back on and refer to.

It's impossible that you won't have any arguments and disagreements, just as with a standard marriage.

One thing I think that has helped for us recently is to define the role with which we are having the discussion. Sometimes the roles get too muddled and mixed (especially with kids in the mix) and you don't know if you're trying to resolve something as a coworker or a co-parent or a husband/wife/partner. Learn to identify your needs in each role so you can move through a conversation knowing what your end goals are together.

Also read the book Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, it has been a game changer for us!

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Photos by The Mullers Photo. Co.

— Have there been any funny or confusion stories in your work around the fact you’re a couple?

Once at a wedding, one of the groomsmen didn't know that we were a couple and had his eyes on Mishka for a good part of the morning. At one point during the reception, I went into the bathroom doing my business, and the groomsmen walks in and is chatting with some other guys talking about that "hot photographer girl" and one of the other guys says "but isn't she with the other photographer?" to which I responded "yes, and I'm right here!" They immediately got quiet and quickly left the bathroom. Needless to say the guy stopped making eye contact with Mishka for the rest of the evening.

— Fav photographers?

— Big wedding or intimate?

Ooohhhh that's a tough one! I love intimate weddings for the speeches and general ease of the day, but I also love a huge dance party! But I should probably say an intimate wedding, since that's how we celebrated ours.

— Traditional black and white or colourful attire?

I'm a sucker for a traditional look and Guatemala gives us enough color to work with. I generally love the classic wedding look against some beautiful colorful walls like the ones in Antigua, Guatemala.

— Fav camera?

Nikon D750 & the Fuji X series for travel and street photography.