Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Cortes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started photography as a little side project of mine. I was in high school, and I wanted to create memories. At first, I was excited to take the usual nature photos. Instagram trend — but it didn’t feel like it was really for me. I have always been very artsy. I have enjoyed everything with the arts from learning how to play the guitar, to switching to keyboard, singing, drawing, writing… it wasn’t news to me when I wanted to experiment further. I was looking for a hobby. I wanted to stick to something and watch it grow. I think at first I gave up for a few days because I couldn’t find something to really catch my eye. It was until I decided to try taking photos of people that it escalated quickly and just like that, was hooked!
Photography isn’t easy. People have their fancy phones, the new “big thing”. It is easy to just snap a photo and think “oh— this looks good! I’m a photographer now why do I need to pay for pictures?” I used to think that. I actually started with an iPod camera believe it or not. I bet you haven’t heard a photographer say that before haha! I started with an iPod Touch. Fancy much?
Taking photos of people became my thing. I began to ask people in school to volunteer so that they could be my models and try some shots. My teacher at the time introduced the idea of saving up and getting a professional grade camera. When I had my first few edits done, I enjoyed them. But they were nothing compared to what these older photographers had. I wanted more, so I started saving.
Couple months, I saved enough to buy my first camera. Canon Rebel T3i. I remember I had been working at the movie theatre for a bit and decided to take the chance and go for it. Get a camera and get better at my skills. I don’t think it was a coincidence that I ended up meeting a Dallas filmmaker at my job. From there, it was a different experience. Video wasn’t something I thought I’d enjoy doing. I’ve seen how long it takes to make a good video edit work, countless hours, many many tries and fails. I did not think I’d enjoy any of it. Video editing — Jonathon link proved me wrong.
I was able to start a small apprenticeship with him and helped him edit a couple video highlights he had. It was my senior year, so I had the time. Wedding videography became my next project. Though the apprenticeship did not last long because eventually, work got busier, you can guess that I developed another obsession. I started taking small projects with people. I wanted to shoot my first wedding. So I found a couple to do it for and that’s where I decided to stick with wedding photography and videography.
Over the next few years, I was able to experiment with many different things. Senior portraits, proms, fifteens, bridals, blogs, up until recently actually got published with Duende Magazine thanks to the talented Angela Walker! I ended up getting a lot of more different creative themes, fashion, got into different aspects — more of a creative side, and that’s where I have been lately. Fashion. Creative and editorial.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been smooth. Starting your own business, in general, is hard work. You have no guarantees you’re going to succeed. You have no clients, no relationships, no reviews, you basically have an empty resume just trying out your luck. I have faced a lot of challenges. I think the biggest one was finding gigs and people to take me on as a serious photographer. Let’s be honest. A young adult as a professional photographer? Who would take me seriously. Dallas especially being full of creative, talented people that have done the same for years. I think my age in the industry I got in was a big obstacle and struggle at first. When you don’t have much to show for, (Quality material), you can’t expect much.
Lovelybones Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in a little bit of everything. Events, weddings, parties & editorials as well as just regular seasons (family, prom, senior pictures, maternity, ) boudoir and newborns.
Lovelybones…
lovely: (Exquisitely beautiful) having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as to the eye, as a person or a face.
bones: (The basic or essential framework of something) the structure that supports the body… and the heart.
People look at the name and think of the bestselling novel and movie but that’s not it. Lovelybones photography means more than that. Simply put, Beautiful things. By things I mean people, memories, anything that’s living and gives you meaning. I’m proud of what this project became. With hard work, it has become a success and allowed me to be a stay at home mom while still being able to provide. I’m not a full-timer. Unfortunately, I cannot make that commitment just yet because I have an infant. But eventually, it will be. Big things coming for 2019 for which I cannot say just yet!
What sets me apart is that I am very budget friendly. I am always learning. I understand that not everybody is the same and can/cannot work with some of the budgets that others have. I’m not dirt cheat. But I am affordable and people love that about it not only because it’s affordable but because they like the work and love put into the work they get back. Whether it is highlights, maybe a few pictures back from a long session. A fifteen party.. clients, love that I’m easy to work with and they can feel that connection of a friend. Because they have a friend and if they can trust me to be there for one of their major events, I want them to know that it will be captured and I will be there.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is when you finally have overcome every difficulty, every rough road, objective, fears… when you can say you finally did it and you put your time and everything in you to get it right then I think that’s when you finally can say you succeeded.
There are definitely bad days, bad people out there. But if you can move past that, and get back up, continue on and see the good in every bad situation, then that’s all you can do and that’s how it should be to a successful path. Can’t stay in the past for a negative experience though you try to avoid it. Time management and ambition are main key ingredients for sure.
Pricing:
- Family mini sessions start at $85
- Event photogrpahg starts at $300
- Wedding packages $650+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovelybonesphotography.com
- Phone: 4693584714
- Email: lovelybonesphotographytx@gmail.com
- Instagram: Lovelybonesphotographytx
- Facebook: Lovelybonesphotographytx
Image Credit:
Annie, Lovelybones Photography
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