Today we’d like to introduce you to Andres Lopez.
Hi Andres, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into photography and videography began by pure chance. As a sophomore in high school, I was placed into a photo and video class without requesting it. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would shape the next decade of my life. I discovered something rare — a craft that felt natural to me, a talent I could sharpen, and a passion I could grow.
A year or two later, I attended a business seminar, and something finally clicked:
I had spent so much time building skills… why not build a business?
At just seventeen, I decided to create my own event photo and video brand. I didn’t have money, connections, or guidance — but I had ambition, confidence, and a vision that felt bigger than anything around me.
My early years were filled with mistakes, and I’m grateful for every single one. Life gives you the exam first and the lesson after, and those lessons became the foundation of who I am today.
As I grew, I began building real connections — with planners, with photographers and videographers whose trust opened doors, and with couples who believed in my work enough to bring me into the most important day of their lives.
But my real turning point came when I started receiving messages from couples who genuinely loved my work. When inquiries kept coming in, when people were excited to meet me, when I saw how much my art meant to others — that’s when everything felt real.
The moment that changed everything was the day I dropped out of college to pursue my business full-time. For months, I’d been torn between two worlds:
A pile of wedding projects waiting to be edited.
A pile of university assignments waiting to be submitted.
I had to make a choice:
Would I let down the clients who trusted me, or the professors and peers who expected me to follow a conventional path?
I followed the path I was meant for.
I lived a double life for a while — my parents believed I was still in university while I spent hours every day in the public library working on my business. I was isolated from my peers, separated from my old routine, and spending months in a quiet cycle of self-improvement, work, and discipline. It was one of the loneliest and hardest periods of my life, but also the most defining. I didn’t allow the loneliness to break me — I allowed it to teach me.
Everything since then has been built on discipline, consistency, and refusing to settle for the ordinary.
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?
Business has never been a smooth road — and it’s not meant to be. If the path to success were easy, everyone would walk it. Entrepreneurship isn’t a paved street; it’s a valley you have to reshape with your bare hands until it finally becomes a road.
My first obstacle was psychological.
In college, I felt completely isolated.
Everyone around me seemed focused on partying, drinking, or simply doing the bare minimum. I tried to blend in at times, but it always felt wrong — empty, meaningless, hedonistic. Nobody around me was interested in self-improvement. Nobody talked about building a business. My parents didn’t understand entrepreneurship. I felt like it was just me… and my thoughts.
I knew I was different, but I also knew I had to walk alone until the world caught up.
The next challenge was building systems that could handle the level of growth I wanted. A lot of people use “burnout” to describe their situation. I don’t. I see burnout as a sign that your systems aren’t strong enough to support your goals.
When I began scaling, I outpaced myself.
I was editing around the clock.
Barely sleeping.
Missing opportunities.
My body was breaking under the pressure of volume and demand.
Life humbled me fast.
It forced me to evolve.
I upgraded my workflow. I learned how to delegate. I prioritized rest, created structure, and built systems that allowed me to scale without self-destruction.
Through it all, the biggest tool I’ve ever had is discipline.
Your feelings don’t matter — the task matters.
Sad? The work is still there.
Happy? The work is still there.
I believe deeply in the 10,000-hour rule, but more importantly, I believe in constantly reinvesting into myself so those hours keep compounding into mastery.
Each year brings a new challenge, and that is simply the price of entrepreneurship. But it is also the privilege of growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m the owner of Andres Lopez Films, an Atlanta-based wedding team specializing in photography, videography, and live streaming. We’re known for our warm, classy style and the elevated, timeless look we bring to every wedding.
What sets us apart isn’t just our visuals — it’s the experience.
We’re known for:
• superb communication
• attention to detail
• professionalism
• and providing a seamless, luxury experience for our couples
I’m incredibly proud of the brand I’ve built. I’ve watched competitors try to figure out how I’ve grown so quickly, and I take pride in knowing that the answer isn’t a trick — it’s discipline, consistency, and standards that never drop.
For anyone reading this, my message is simple:
Whatever you want is possible.
But mastery takes years.
You can’t complain about not starting earlier — just start now.
Five years will pass no matter what. Spend them building something meaningful.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My resources have evolved as I’ve evolved. I believe you must constantly upgrade your “software” — your mindset — because you can’t create higher results with outdated programming.
I started with Gary Vee’s podcast. His message taught me to ignore noise, stay focused on what makes me happy, and develop thick skin.
Then I dove into entrepreneurship content. That season of my life was fueled by motivation, hustle, and the relentless drive to improve.
Eventually, I became obsessed with men’s self-improvement. I realized one truth that shaped everything:
a strong mind produces strong actions.
And in a world with weakening discipline, strong masculine leadership matters more than ever.
Today, I listen to creators who challenge me mentally and keep me aligned with the mindset needed to reach the next level. Our brains are computers — we choose the operating system and we choose which viruses we allow in.
As for tools, I use:
• HoneyBook as my CRM
• Monday as my project management system
• Oura to track my sleep, stress, and performance
These tools help me stay efficient, consistent, and intentional — the three things my business depends on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreslopezfilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreslopezfilms/
