Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Valdez.
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 stay in the East Cobb area. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart. It’s been almost 15 years since I have known my husband. In August it will be our ten years of anniversary. We have two crazy but loving boys, five and three years old. I am a family girl. Born in Atlanta, Georgia but did had the chance to live in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico for short five years of my childhood. In my opinion, my best five years of my childhood. So many great memories. When I get asked where I am from I am happy and proud to say I am Mexican and to ATL. What can I say I love me some good wings and Waffle House. But anyway, let’s talk about my photography journey.
How it started? I think I always liked taking photos. I mean at the beginning it was just of myself or at family gatherings. I liked having photos to go back to and be easier to remember those special moments with loved ones. My first purchase for a camera was one of those small digital cameras. It was hot pink. I used took that camera everywhere with me. It was nothing fancy but it captured so many memories. I can’t remember when I had made that purchase but eventually I wanted to know the feeling to own my own “Fancy” camera. My boyfriend then now husband purchase me a Sony in 2012 that is where the interest of learning more about photography really kicked in, I started photographing family and my closest friends. They recommended me to other friends and so on. I took this opportunity as a hobby and nothing else. As time passed I started learning through YouTube videos. Eventually, I wanted to upgrade. I changed to a NIKON camera and it has not stopped since.
So many took chances with me and believed in me. Something I did not see in myself. But after years of photographing as a hobby I took the big step. To make this a business after I had my second child my husband and I believed it was best for me to stay home with our boys. I for some reason could not be just home and be a housewife. Nothing wrong with being a housewife because in my opinion, it’s the hardest job in the world. In 2020 literally when Covid was at the hardest is when I decided to make this a business. Take it more serious and have bigger dreams to make them a reality.
I can not believe how far I have come. I have met so many great people in my journey in photography and so thankful to god for all the opportunities. Because of photography, I am still able to spend as much time with my boys and husband. Thanks to all those families that have trusted me to be part of such special moments of their families. To let me capture those forever keepsake memories is a blessing to be a photographer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To be honest, it has been great. Because of photography, I meet great friends and colleagues. A fear I had when I started working in the working world it was talking to people or a group of people. I can not believe now my job is to make people comfortable and beautiful. To show that through the lens is such a good feeling.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am so proud and happy to say I specialized in Maternity photography. Is something I enjoy to the fullest. I myself was in love of my appearance when I was pregnant. My goal is to make my beautiful mamas to feel as beautiful and comfortable in their sessions. Leave my studio happy and excited to see the results. I do photograph other types of sessions but my top favorite is Maternity. Mamas have a special glow that needs to be shown to the world because being able to conceive is one of the biggest blessings of life.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid have brought my family and I so much closer. We are such fragile human beings and tomorrow is never promised. Also keeping in touch with friends and loved ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adrianavaldezphotographyllc.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_av__photography_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianaValdezPhotography
