We were lucky to catch up with Cielo Roth recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cielo, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I have always been an artist. I didn’t know that I was in love with photography until my first class my second year in college. I attended UC Santa Barbara in the 90s. The lead professor was an exceptional artist, creator and teacher. We learned how to develop our own black and white film. We learned how to print in a darkroom with chemicals. The process itself is pure magic.

Digital photography was becoming more popular and cost effective but I didn’t pick up a DSLR until well after 2005. When I finally did start using a digital camera, it made photography as a career much more lucrative.

I learned mostly about creating photographic art rather than posing, lighting, and other techniques. In some ways that was an advantage rather than being a technical photographer. I became an art photographer.

It’s essential to learn proper exposure, camera settings, the way light affects the subject and your equipment. I think it’s important to teach artists businesses skills – marketing, customer service, financial management, etc. I had to learn that in pieces. It was definitely an obstacle in running a business. Also resources slow you down – photography is an expensive art no matter if you use film or digital.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Cielo Roth. I am a native Californian. I live in Long Beach with my 2 teenagers (Sammy and Harriette), my husband (Mr. Roth) and 2 orange cats (Scotty and Oskar). I have always been an artist. I became a photographer over 30 years ago during college.

I have been running a small business for the last 11 years as Cielo Roth Photography. I specialize in families and children. I also love photographing events like company parties or fundraisers and high school seniors. I offer a hybrid of physical photographic products like prints, albums and wall art and digital images.

Having a physical print is very important because digital data can be lost so easily. We all love the transportability and instant gratification we get from digital images. The medium is wonderful and useful. However I highly encourage my clients, my family, and friends to get their images printed.

Everyone has a camera now. Why would you hire me to create a portrait for you? What makes me so special? I have been instructed by award winning photographers, studied art and art history, hold a degree in Art, have over 30 years of photographic experience. My equipment is also pretty darn great but what I really offer is unequaled customer service and a fun, simple but boutique photography session experience.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Two things I wished I knew about earlier in my creative journey:

Networking is a wonderful resource. It can take some guts to make connections with other photographers, small business owners, and community members but it’s fundamental. I find that my greatest friendships and partnerships have come from connecting with other photographers (online or local).

The SBA (Small Business Administration) is extremely helpful! They have successful business people help you with your business like a business plan, getting a small business loan, marketing, finances, website evaluation (and often for free).

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Local Community Magazines. Best Version Media has all these wonderful Publishers in local markets. They hire photographers to shoot the magazine cover and story that features a family in that targeted neighborhood. My friend (another small business owner) introduced me to the publisher. The magazine staff find the family and I reach out to schedule with the family. They are given the opportunity to purchase images from the session (fee gifted by the magazine). I’ve had a lot of sales from these families. Great source for new clients for me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cielorothphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cielorothphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cielorothphotography

Image Credits
c. Maribel Farina (the portrait of me with camera up to my face)