Art, music, style, pop culture magazine (loveartmusicbaby.com): Celebrity photographer, Joella Marano, picks her best snaps

From snapping the Harry Potter crew on her first premiere assignment to having one of her photographs featured on Buzz.net, celeb photographer Joella Marano may be young but she stands her ground.

Main illustration and photographs: Joella Marano

For most people, there is a certain allure of a red carpet event: the glamour of the designer dresses, the anticipation of the crowd expecting to see their favourite celebrity, the press even more impatient to bag the right shots that will be showcased around the globe. Imagine, then, if you were a 19-year-old photographer given the opportunity to shoot a major film premiere with the chance to have your first photo used internationally. The event? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 premiere, 2010. The girl? Meet 21-year-old Joella Marano from New York: agency photographer.

“The entire experience was life changing, exciting and overwhelming,” she remembers. “Here I was this 19-year-old girl who had never done anything like this before, being given this opportunity that most dream of.” Refreshingly, Marano also recalls a very human side to an almost godlike experience where faux smiles and total perfection are the norm. “The entire time I was just like: 'I don't know what I'm doing here!' All of the photographers got a number and somehow my number landed me in the last row, which was actually behind a small one step riser. This would have been fine but I'm only 5'6 and pretty much everyone else there was a grown man of at least 6'0"!”

Joella's pick: Emma Watson at the Deathly Hallows pt.1 premiere shot by Joella

The event that was to follow may well sum up Joella Marano. There is one thing that stands out: her perseverance in an industry that demands absolute determination. “I almost broke down because there would be absolutely no way I'd get a shot from my location, I couldn't even see over the person in front of me. The crew workers came to my rescue and got me a ladder – really, a full scale ladder- my head was brushing the top of the tent!”

Joella's pick: Photoshoot with William Beckett

Naturally, she got her shots and her first photo was published internationally. “As a photographer you need to always stand your ground and back your work, no matter what,” she says firmly. “If you have faith in yourself then everything else will follow. Don't give up. There will be people at every turn telling you that you're not good enough for this. If you're truly passionate about it then you'll succeed. Don't be afraid to push limits, to try something new, always look to challenge and better yourself. Find your own style and build on it, don't try to be someone else. It's way too easy to get lost in a group of similar photographers when you can stand out on your own. ”

That's the hard work covered but surely there has to be some glamour despite battling groups of tall grown men eager for a shot and constantly having to prove your worth in the industry? "Once the stars started to arrive it was wonderful and exhilarating," she says. " I had such an amazing time..." She refers more generally to the premieres and events she has attended (which, to name a few, include the Hugo premiere snapping ChloëMoretz and even Paris Hilton's 30th birthday party): "A lot of the celebrities are so nice. I usually have a really good experience. When there is a mutual respect for one another then everything goes perfectly."

Marano remains professional when it doesn't, however. When asked specifics about celebrities, particularly - "I hate calling people out. I do my best not to name people when I do have bad experiences!" - but she is willing to talk about a certain Harry Potter actress..."Emma Watson is an absolute sweetheart. I don't care what anyone says- she is one of the nicest people I have had the opportunity to meet."

Love's pick: Lady Gaga at Madison Square Garden in 2010

The world of film is clearly an area that Marano is excited about but is not the only cultural medium she has explored. She began in concert photography, she explains, working for a local venue where she would shoot the bands and post the photographs online. "I received a lot of positive feedback from people about their own concert experiences or how they would love to see the band live," she says. "I fell in love with people's reactions to my photos. I love being able to allow people to experience events through my photos."

Music changed Marano's direction from studying Fashion Design to Photography but also gave the young talent her first taste of recognition. Her photo shoot with The Academy Is...'s William Beckett was featured on music scene website, Buzz.net. "Up until that point I was locally known for my concert photography but that photo shoot was everywhere! Half of the photo shoot was down in film and the other half digital, which I do on almost every shoot. There is something about that rawness of film because it will never die. It was also my first full set of photos that I developed, printed and showcased."

Love's pick: Vladimir has a sleep!

As for inspiration, Marano has plenty in her surroundings. Her pet pug - wonderfully named Vladimir Ichabod! Best name ever? - is often a subject in her photographs while her hometown of New York City has given her both opportunity in the industry and visual influence. "Growing up in New York I was always inspired by the culture and diversity of the city and it has allowed me to be more open and forward with my work," she says simply before continuing: "It's also given me a stronger attitude in this industry. It's so easy to get stepped on and used, and you can’t take that from anyone."