Today we’d like to introduce you to Porsha Antalan
Hi Porsha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a kid, I always had a camera in my hand. I loved making memories and just wanted to capture anything I could. I never considered that it could be my career until I got to college. I originally went to college to major in nursing, but after meeting new people and being around the art scene, I found myself switching to a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a focus in Photography and starting my photography business, Femqua by Porsha Antalan (originally, Femqua Productions).
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?
While photography has always been comforting to me, the business of photography has not. I’ve been shooting professionally for over 15 years and I’m still a one woman show. I also work as a Lead Learning Experience Designer, so it can be a struggle at times to juggle corporate work and freelance work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Editorial/Commercial Portrait Photographer. I specialize in all types of portraiture, but as of recently, I’ve been more focused on lifestyle, corporate, and wedding portraits. I would say I am most known for my lifestyle work. Because of my lifestyle work, I have been able to work closely with companies like Adobe and Shutterstock, where I was a recipient of their 2023 Shutterstock Create Fund Photo grant. I would say I am most proud of the mark I was able to create for myself in the stock photo space. In 2017, I created my own stock photo site, Brwn Stock Imaging, that focused on providing images that featured black and brown people. While Brwn Stock is no longer around, I was able to move forward and provide images that are now a premium collection on Adobe Stock and work closely with Shutter Stock, and I also produce customized stock for various authors and small businesses. I think what sets me apart from others is aesthetic. I have a background in fashion and beauty photography, so I bring that perspective when I am shooting my stock and wedding work. I want to capture a moment, while still keeping the image clean and sharp. I don’t care whether you’re booking a headshot or an engagement shoot with me, I will make sure you look like the star of your photo.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Surprisingly, I am a Youtube girlie. If there is something I don’t know, I will usually run to Youtube because someone on there has to know, right? I will say, one of my favorite people to watch is Lindsay Adler. Her work is inspiring and amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.femqua.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/femquaxpa
- Other: https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/208670550/brwn-stock-imaging
