Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Ortega.
Hi Valeria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2018, I was gifted a camera. Little did I know that it would lead me to where I am today. Photography had been a hobby I enjoyed doing for as long as I could remember, but it wasn’t until 2020 that I began taking it seriously. Being a full-time nanny gave me an opportunity that I would have never expected. During the fall of 2020, I decided to do a mini photoshoot for the boy I nanny. I surprised his parents with the photos, and they were the first ones to ever tell me I needed to do this as a profession. The potential they saw in me really made me believe that I could make it as a photographer.
As any beginner, I started by doing free photoshoots. I posted in various Facebook groups asking for models, and the responses I got were overwhelming (in a good way). In only one weekend, I had 12 photoshoots- all for free! This was only the beginning of my journey. One thing I learned in those three days is that making connections and building relationships with your clients goes a long way. One client has been the source of half of my business in the last six months, which is something I will always be grateful for.
Today, I am feeling proud of how far I’ve come, but I still have so much to learn. Every client I have met has taught me something new. They give me opportunities to learn and grow- and I will always appreciate them for that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been the easiest, but I have learned that the best way to succeed is by trial and error. As a beginner, there was so much information that I needed to know- which was overwhelming trying to learn all of it at once. Eight months ago, I had no idea how to go about handling the “business” side of my company. From building a website, setting prices, creating contracts, etc. it has taken me this long to figure out what works best for me. I must admit, learning manual mode on a camera is not easy either. It takes practice, patience, and lots of learning- but because I find this to be my passion, it never once felt like extra work.
I will say, finding a community of photographers has helped me tremendously. The community we have in Austin is one that is caring, helpful, and encouraging. I have learned so much from advanced, intermediate, and other beginner photographers. They have definitely made my journey go a lot smoother.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and photographer of Spark of Color Photography. I specialize in individual and couples photography- whether it’s for branding, social media content, engagements, proposals, or anything else in between. I love getting creative, so any ideas you may have, I am willing to give it a try.
My sessions are however what you want them to be. If you want something fast-paced, we can get great content for you in 30 minutes. If you want something laid back, you have that option too! I want to be able to connect with my clients in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident. I will always hype you up and be there every step of the way. I promise you, even if you consider yourself shy or introverted, you will be feeling like a supermodel by the end of our session.
I am most proud of the photos I deliver. My clients like to describe them as natural, real, and simple. Because I believe that everyone deserves to have professional photos, I want to remain affordable and accessible to everyone. From day one, I promised myself that I would serve others which is rewarding to me. On occasion, I go to Zilker park and give free photoshoots & it has been one of my favorite things to do!
Pricing:
- Individuals: $180
- Couples: $200
- Families: $250
Contact Info:
- Email: atxsparkofcolor@gmail.com
- Website: https://sparkofcolorphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/atxsparkofcolor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparkofcolorphotography
