Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cristian Cativo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Cristian, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I absolutely wish I had started photography years earlier. I’ve always been the family photographer just never on a real camera but always on phones but I’ve always been told “cris is the one who takes the best photos have him do it” it wasn’t untill a couple years ago that I said let me get a camera and do it for fun. Then one lens turned into another and soon to a professional camera and lenses and next thing I know I am being paid to do what I love, capture memories and freeze them digitally forever.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello I’m Cristian cativo. I first picked up a camera to take better quality photos of my kids and family. After attending my first photographers meet up it quickly turned into a full on love to capture more than just family photos. I started with portraits at photographer meet ups with pexels and just connected with other photographers learning how to really use my camera better and practice practice practice I would ask friends and family if they would like to do some sunrise photos or if they knew anybody who wanted to take some. After a few months of building a solid portfolio I started small charging next to nothing mostly just gas money but then I began to invest in better equipment and realized this can be my door out of the rat race in corporate America and it’s just truly something I enjoy doing! I still ask family and friends if they want to take photos when I’m not booked and still go to meet ups for the fun times with the central Florida photography community. I now try to focus on more events as I’ve noticed I try to capture the essence of each event as a whole to make sure all the small details and small and big moments are caught. I put myself in a clients shoes and think to myself “man I wish somebody had caught that.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

After a few months shifting my schedule and time for anybody lwho wanted photos I realized I need to focus on my time as well. Yes it’s about the client but sometimes the client needs to also be mindful of my time and last minute cancelations aren’t fair to others I’ve had to turn down for a photo session when somebody else has up and decided to just say never mind and that’s where the business aspect has kicked in. I’m a very nice person some would say too nice but I also hate having to be the bad guy and say no last minute cancelations and retainers are in place to protect my business as well.

Have you ever had to pivot?

2023 was my big pivot year. I was focused on climbing the corporate ladder and would do anything for my company. Until I picked up photography and realized I have the right personality to connect with people and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera and feel like one with the family at events I attend and take photos at. Be it big weddings, quinceañeras or just a small family birthday with the kids. I am all over just snapping away locking it all in my sd card

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cristiancativophotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: TiVo.photography