Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrei Restrepo.
Andrei, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a photographer for about five years now and been doing it professionally for about 2-3 years this point. Being fairly new, I think I advanced faster than some other photographers might have because I was so committed to my craft. Coming from the music scene, I decided to leave the touring life behind in 2015 and started picking up a camera. Even while working 50+ hours a week at a day job, I would always shoot, learn, and repeat on my off time. Eventually, what started as a fun hobby of just taking photos of my wife, became quite the side hustle for freelance photography. I was generating enough freelance work to step away from my full time role and fully pursue photography after about a year or two. I now primarily focus on wedding photography and wedding films for my business, Andrei Restrepo Photography. During the week, I work with a real estate team in my area, fulfilling their photography needs.
It’s unreal that photography has enabled me to buy my first home, have a destination wedding in Hawaii last year, and many more things that I’m so thankful for. Very excited for the future.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. But at the same time, I’m glad it wasn’t because I learned a ton of things along the way. I’ll never forget that the first month I left my full-time job to pursue photography, I made $0.00. Kind of scary when you have rent, bills, and all that, but that’s freelancing! You never know when you’ll get your next job.
But on the other hand, I made more money other months that was double or triple what I was making at my day job. Other struggles along the way have been work/life balance. I can work nonstop shooting, editing, marketing myself, etc. I’ve learned that the hustle can wait and it’ll still be there. While work is important, make time for what is more important – family and the people you love. Also, don’t forget to enjoy your craft and actually do things for fun, that’s seriously so important because otherwise you can burnout. That’s what my YouTube channel is for. 🙂
Please tell us about your business.
I’m a photographer and videographer operating under my name – Andrei Restrepo Photography. Primarily my business specializes in Wedding photography and videography in the Houston area. I’m most proud of my “company” on the fact that I built something, Fromm, the ground up and is successful. I’ve had other business I’ve started that have failed so glad this one didn’t haha. One thing I think that sets me apart from others is while making money/business is important. I always push myself creatively everyday to stand out and continue to make “Andrei Restrepo Photography,” a unique brand that creates timeless imagery.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
As a photographer, this is an industry where hard work is very important. I’ll be honest, it surprises me when I work with other “professional” photographers and they don’t even seem to be passionate about what they do. Almost like it’s just another job, and that will only get you so far. I think if you want to stand out from the rest, you have to be unique and work harder than others to break through the noise.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography starts at $2250.
- Wedding Films start at $1750
- Portrait Sessions start at $425.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andreirestrepo.com
- Email: hello@andreirestrepo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/andrei_restrepo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndreiRestrepoPhotography
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/andrei_restrepo
- Other: www.youtube.com/andreirestrepo
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