Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonella Salazar.
Hi Antonella, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story with photography really started when I was little. My mom was always taking pictures, capturing everything, and that stayed with me. In 8th grade, I decided to start taking photos myself. I’m a pretty impulsive person, so I went ahead and bought my first camera without overthinking it.
That same year, I started small by taking pictures for my middle school soccer team. Later in 2024, when I was in my hometown in Mexico, my local soccer team needed photos. Being part of something so special through my camera meant a lot to me.
After that, I stepped away from photography for a bit. But in July 2025, everything changed. I was back in my hometown when my neighbor asked me to take photos of her baby because she knew I enjoyed photography. That moment really clicked for me, I realized how much I truly loved it.
When I got back, I created an Instagram page and started practicing by taking photos of my family and friends. Then I posted a TikTok video offering sessions at really low prices just to get my name out there. That video reached around 3,000 views, and suddenly people started booking with me. I was fully booked for August.
As I gained more experience, I raised my prices and became more intentional about the clients I wanted to work with. Now, I’m at a point where I get to work with amazing people, and new opportunities continue to come my way.
I’m really grateful for how everything has unfolded. It all goes back to my mom encouraging me to capture moments when I was little, and to my parents for always supporting me and believing in what I’m building.
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?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced as a photographer is my age. Photography is such a large and competitive industry, and many photographers have years, sometimes decades, of experience and a long list of clients. As someone with just a couple of years of experience, there are moments where people view me as less capable simply because I’m young. I’ve had situations where potential clients chose not to book with me because of my age, which can be discouraging.
There’s often this assumption that youth means a lack of responsibility or maturity, and I’ve had to work hard to prove that isn’t true. I take my work seriously, and I’m committed to delivering quality and professionalism, no matter my age.
Another challenge has been self-doubt. Being in a creative field, it’s easy to compare yourself to others and question whether you’re good enough. But throughout my journey, I’ve learned to reframe that feeling. I once heard that the best moments come from taking risks, and that’s something I’ve held onto. Now, when I feel nervous before a shoot, I take it as a good sign, it means I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, growing, and pushing myself to improve.
Those moments of uncertainty have actually helped me grow the most. They’ve allowed me to meet new people, learn new skills, and become more confident in my work over time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a photographer who specializes in capturing warm, genuine moments, whether that’s with yourself, your partner, or your family. My focus is creating images that feel natural, emotional, and true to who my clients are, rather than overly posed or forced. I pay close attention to the small details, expressions, movement, and connection, because those are the moments that tell a real story. As I continue to grow, I’m especially excited to expand into senior and wedding photography. Both of these areas represent such meaningful milestones in people’s lives, and I’m drawn to the idea of capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments. I want my photos to feel timeless, something my clients can look back on and still feel the same emotions years later.
I’m known not just for my photos, but for the overall experience I give my clients from start to finish. I make it a priority to create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, even if they’ve never been in front of a camera before. I guide them when needed, but I also allow room for natural interaction so nothing feels forced. Many of my clients tell me that they come in feeling nervous but leave feeling confident, and that means just as much to me as the final images.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built through social media and my clients. What started as simply sharing my work has grown into something much more meaningful, connections with people who support me, trust me, and continue to come back or refer others. Seeing that support and knowing people believe in what I do is something I don’t take lightly. It motivates me to keep improving and to continue creating work that reflects that trust.
What sets me apart is the personal touch I bring to everything I do. From the moment someone reaches out, I focus on making them feel welcomed and valued, whether that’s through a thoughtful email, helping them plan their session, or answering any questions they might have. During the shoot, I bring a lot of energy by making people laugh, hyping them up, and helping them feel confident in front of the camera. I’m very intentional about creating not just beautiful photos, but a memorable and positive experience. At the end of the day, I don’t just want to deliver images, I want my clients to walk away feeling good about themselves and the moments we captured together.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the photography industry continuing to shift more toward authenticity and storytelling. People are moving away from overly posed, perfect images and are valuing real, emotional, and candid moments more than ever. Social media is also continuing to shape the industry, making it easier for photographers to grow their brand, connect with clients, and reach new audiences beyond their local area.
Personally, I see myself growing within that shift. I want to build a strong brand that reflects my style and values, and eventually own my own studio where I can create a comfortable and creative space for my clients. I plan to focus mainly on lifestyle photography, weddings, couples, seniors etc, capturing meaningful milestones and everyday moments that people truly connect with.
I also see expansion as a big part of my future. I want to travel more for photography, work with different types of clients, and experience new environments that inspire my creativity. I think being able to step outside of one place and bring new perspectives into my work will help me grow both as an artist and as a business owner.
Overall, I see the industry becoming more personal, more experience-focused, and more driven by connection, and that’s exactly the direction I want to grow in as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturedbyantoo/.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578938296641
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@capturedbyanto?_r=1&_t=ZT-95g5SFMosqj
