Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Argueta.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I picked up my first point-and-shoot after digging in my mom’s room – I used to go in her closet and try on her clothes and let her take Polaroid photos of me in my “outfits.”
I purchased my first camera around 2008 after I started working my first job, and have considered myself a hobbyist for the majority of the next ten years. I got more serious about photography as a potential career in 2018 and finally went full-time in 2021 after serving almost 9 years in the healthcare industry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not always.
I have always pushed myself to learn the technical aspects of the camera controls and slowly had to start adding things like use of changing sunlight, adding in light through strobes, color gels to add dimension, etc.
I love practicing new techniques – working with models is especially fun because I feel like I can truly relax and create.
Working with clients came less easily, but I’ve grown to love the challenge of working in changing environments. I think that’s why I love working events so much because it’s constantly changing and often challenging to adapt quickly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have created portraits as the backbone of my business. When I was still working at the clinic, I would often help out with obtaining headshots holiday photos, birthday photos, etc. When I finally left, I tried to continue to do portrait photography but quickly found out I had to go out of my comfort zone. I found myself accepting any type of work to pay the bills.
Over the last two years, I’ve discovered I enjoy events the most after portraits. I’m very good at capturing candids and the essence of the party.
I’m most proud of my progress as a newborn photographer. I currently work as a contractor for a very popular newborn photography company in the US and it always makes me smile seeing moms and grandmothers call me “magic” and a “baby whisperer.” I never thought I’d enter newborn photography specialization, and I wanted to give up many times as someone who was once very afraid to even hold babies.
So essentially, I’m a jack of all trades. Many of my current clients I met because I once photographed their baby in the hospital or at their home, and they have kept me around for birthday parties, cake smashes, and more. It brings me great joy to keep working with families and seeing their families grow. I think my clients also like seeing growth in my business and confidence in work.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have had several mentors in my journey – my confidante is my sister-in-law, who lives in Corpus Christi. She is retiring from photography at the end of this year after working professionally for over 10 years to spend more time with her two toddlers. Her name is Rachel Benavides – she’s always been very honest, her piece of advice is worth more than gold to me. She referred me to one of my very first paying clients and unknowingly pushed me into taking the first step to pursuing photography as a career path.
I also give a lot of credit to Vic Clark in Houston. I was very scared to step out and meet other photographers because I felt like I was so below everyone else’s level, but Vic provided a very welcoming environment at a shootout. I was able to try out using flash equipment for the first time, and I fell in love with the opportunities it opened for me. I currently rent out a studio ran by Vic and his associate Christopher Leslie, and I’ve been able to test out a lot of creative ideas there. I am excited to do some more creative portraits there next year once the holiday season is over.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $500 plus tax
- Portraits start at $250 plus tax
- Events start at $125/hr plus tax
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lorenaarguetaphotography.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/pennyjul
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076136146592
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorena-argueta-49063914a/
