Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Coronado.
Hi Cassandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My mom dabbled in photography, so when I was younger, I would follow her around and began with a little silver point-and-shoot camera myself. Junior year of high school (2010), I took photojournalism and realized I wanted to be a photographer. I told my parents which then they made me promise if I was serious about photography, I would join yearbook my senior year. Senior year I was in yearbook and became one of two photo editors. It was hard work but definitely enjoyed it! After high school (2011), I started at TCC to get my associate’s and start working. I worked at 24-Hour Fitness and saved up to get my first camera- Canon Rebel T2i! I began doing some random photo sessions for people which was pretty cool seeing as I had little experience. After TCC, I transferred to UTA (2015) for their Arts program. I learned a lot about photography while there, but it wasn’t until I interned (2017) for Tracy Autem and Lightly Photography where I really learned this business side, posing, editing, portraits, and most of all weddings. It was incredible! The summer before graduating, I got to study abroad in Italy for a month (2018)! Talk about a life-changing experience! I’ve been out of the country before, but nothing compares to submerging into another culture for an entire month. Some of my favorite photos were taken in Italy, of course! That fall I worked for a photography studio till covid hit. It turned out to be the pin drop I needed though because I knew it was my time to begin my own business which was always wanted, I dreamt of doing with my life. It’s been slow but I’ve been working to get it off the ground!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anything is ever smooth. The biggest struggle for me is getting out of my comfort zone and having to talk to new people. Photography has helped me a lot with that, but at the beginning of interning it was so incredibly awkward and hard for me, I had to learn real fast to get out of my head and to just be in the moment and excuse my language but to do the damn thing. I still struggle a bit, but what person doesn’t I feel like I’ve come a long way since then!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a photographer! I love weddings, especially engagement sessions, but also photograph families and maternity sessions. I feel a business should always begin with the name. Beauty’s Essence is a name I came up with back when I was just beginning at TCC. Essence means real or individual, so when I added Beauty, I wanted to make the statement of showing someone’s real/individual beauty using my camera. The best part of someone’s individual beauty is the rawness of their personality. It’s my goal during a session for that person(s) to feel their best. I want to capture raw emotions.
I feel what sets me apart from others is that I am a girl giddy for love. I will be your biggest cheerleader and encourager, and seeing you in your happiest moment(s) of your life brings me incredible joy. I want to be able to document these moments so you can reminisce back and constantly relive that joy I saw and you felt.
I’m proud of my name and what I stand for, and when people come back to tell me how much they love their photos, it just reassures me that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing in life.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
This is going to sound horrible, but I am not much of a reader, nor do I listen to podcasts *yikes* I probably should though.
As far as apps go, there’s no better way of learning to better yourself than by watching others and see how they’re doing things, such as posing. Instagram seems to be one of the number one way to do so.
Pricing:
- A wedding with me and a second photographer and either engagement or bridal session is $2499
- An one-hour portrait session is $250
- Two hours and two locations is $350
- 20 minutes session is $120
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautysessencephoto.com
- Instagram: @beautys_essence_photography
- Facebook: Beauty’s Essence Photography
