Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Perez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After working for nearly ten years in law firms, I finally had the courage to quit my job and start doing what I felt it would make me the happiest: being a photographer. I had been a photography aficionado for a long time and was willing to do whatever to make it. The road has not been an easy one whatsoever. After two years of setting up my business in Ecuador, I had to move to Houston where I had to start all over again. It’s been years of learning about the art, the business and endless nights of editing, but I am finally at a point where I feel I am creating beautiful pictures.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. When I began, I made the mistake of accepting any gigs I had, which meant doing types of photography I was not qualified for nor enjoyed. Once I moved to Houston, I had to wait over a year to get my work permit. That uncertainty of starting all over again left me cornered with severe anxiety attacks. I had to do a whole lot of introspection, which definitely had a positive side to it. I am a much stronger woman now, and much more secure about the type of photographer and person I want to be. One of the biggest challenges a photographer faces is confidence. For a very long time, I thought my works were not good enough. Sure, in the beginning, they weren’t, but even after I improved a lot with my technique and quality, I still struggled with my self-esteem. Little by little, with the help of my satisfied customers and supporting friends and family, I’ve been able to value myself as I should. My advice to women who are starting this wonderful journey would be to choose a type of photography that they love and target that market(s). Work hard, treat the customers with the greatest respect and the profession with all the love they can. Last but not least, trust yourselves.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ana Perez Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I love shooting people, especially in capturing timeless moments. I am a wedding photographer, and also do engagements and family portraits. The first interaction with a prospective customer is always an interesting one because there I find our (when hearing their pitch) what about me or my style they find attractive. They usually highlight the spontaneity and improvisation my work contains. I guess I make my customers comfortable enough that I’m able to capture them in a very natural and honest way, which helps a lot in creating the storytelling I pursue when doing a photo shoot.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Don’t be shy and contact the photographers you admire. You can learn a whole lot from them. Don’t be surprised if you end up working together or doing collaborations. In the end, we are all part of the same beautiful art and we are all in a continuous learning process.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 832-808-0136
- Email: info.photography.ap@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ana.perez.ph
Image Credit:
@ana.perez.ph
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