We recently connected with Adri Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.

Adri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a business owner is genuinely such a fulfilling role. The freedom to pursue my creative passion while steering my own ship is incredibly rewarding. It’s a lifestyle and career path I wouldn’t trade for anything else.

Of coarse, with anything, being a business owners has it’s up and downs. I would be lying if I didn’t think about what life would be like if I worked in a regular 9-5pm and unplug the moment my shift was over. Being a business owner comes with the price of being unable to fully disconnect from your business. It’s always top of mind. Even when you are away from your work, work is still present in your mind, ideas of how to grow, pending tasks, projects to create etc.

However, even though being a business owner can be all consuming, the benefits outweigh the negatives hands down. The ability to have a flexible schedule and set my own hours, I have financial control on managing my own pricing and potentially earn more than being an employee, client relations and meeting new and interesting people, and finally having a sense of accomplishment. Seeing the fruits of my labor brings true satisfaction and keeps me passionate and excited about my business and where its headed.

Adri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a new college graduate I had the opportunity to intern with a very successful South Asian Wedding Photographer. At the time I was assisting and in occasions third shooting with him and his team. All while learning the craft of photography and in specific wedding photography with the added cultural element of South Asian weddings. Quickly, I grew to love it. I was then promoted to second shooter and finally as lead photographer for many of his events. After 3 years of working with him and his amazing team, I decided I was ready to branch off and start my own wedding photography business. At the beginning, starting a new business was a challenge as I wasn’t known in the industry. However, I had passion and dedication and I began to assist networking events, meeting with event planners, and visiting venues. Slowly I began to gain traction and collaborate with other vendors in creating styled shoots. I began having content to share and eventually lead me to book my first clients. Now, with 10+ years under my belt, I have had the liberty to express my creativity through many styles, while always staying consistent in one belief; Providing the very best work I can to my clients to tell there story in a special and beautiful way. Now more than ever I am inspired by so many new and talented photographers and new ways of documenting a wedding day. I am equally if not more inspired today then I was 10+ years ago when I first started getting into this industry. I find there to be beautiful nostalgia in documenting one’s wedding day. Every couple is unique. It is my goal to be the best storyteller of their wedding day.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The ability to evoke emotion in others through my work. Creating work that resonates with people, allows them to relive special milestones and remember the people that were a part of those moments. Additionally, the freedom to express myself authentically and contribute something meaningful to the world is immensely gratifying.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Over the years, what has helped me build my reputation within my market is consistency and kindness. Those two qualities have kept me running a successful business. I am always consistent in wanting to offer the very best service. As well as being kind at all times, even in challenging situations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplyadriphotography.com
• Instagram: @simplyadriphoto