Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Santibanez
Randy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From an early age, I was fascinated with photography. I remember taking my parents camera and taking photos of everything I could. I got in trouble for wasting film but that’s when I knew I was willing to do anything to get the perfect photo.
Fast forward 20-something years: I bought my first camera to document my hiking trips and capture the beauty around me. Nature is easier to photograph as you can capture something that isn’t moving but still want to do it justice and make it look perfect. I always told myself I will only stick to nature photography. Then I met my wife.
My wife has always been my biggest supporter. From the start of our relationship, she pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to pursue photography as more than a hobby. Let’s just say it’s hard to tell her no. Photographing her during our trips has always been easy as it gave me a gateway to doing more portraits and hone my skillset for portrait photography.
Last year was when I officially knew I wanted to take photography more seriously. I am thankful I did. The joy I receive from seeing a clients face light up when they appreciate their photo is a different type of rush. Nothing makes me feel more accomplished than people enjoying the art I create for them. That is why I do this. That is why I love photography.
Alright, 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?
Just like any other field, photography has its pros and cons. The highs of capturing the perfect image may not be the perfect image a clients mind. Trust plays a big part in this field. Also, having little to no clientele has often left me thinking whether I should continue photography. I remember my first time trying holiday mini-sessions, all of my clients either cancelled or ghosted me. After spending so much on props, not to mention how ecstatic I was to take these photos, I was left with nothing but doubt in my mind.
You put so much time, effort and money into this craft but you have to continue thinking of the bigger picture (pun definitely intended).
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been a side-hustling portrait photographer specializing in engagement and graduation photography for a little over a year. While my passion is landscape photography, I love being able to make others smile through their portraits and have a passion for what I do.
I am most proud of the fact that a person can have so much trust and faith in my craft that they will allow me to shoot the most intimate moments of their life.
The thing that sets me apart from others is that I create a space for my clients to feel comfortable and allow them to add input during the shoot and work together to create the perfect vision.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Keep grinding. Stop caring about what others might say about your creative vision because everyone has their own style so build your own and push out your product. Continue to post online. If your followers believe in you, they will support you no matter what. So don’t worry about those who unfollow or critique you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rsantibanezphotography
