We were lucky to catch up with Al Vargas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Al, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

As a creative and business owner, you inevitably go through seasons of self-doubt. Sometimes it’s imposter syndrome — that sneaky voice that tells you you’re not good enough or that you don’t really belong here. Other times, it’s the comparison game — watching others seemingly thrive while you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re falling behind.

I went through one of those seasons not too long ago. A particularly rough stretch where nothing felt like it was clicking. I questioned everything — my work, my progress, even my talent. I remember thinking, “Maybe it’s time to quit. Maybe I should go back to a stable 9-to-5 accounting job and just have a normal life.”

It wasn’t just a passing thought — I really considered it. The idea of a steady paycheck, health insurance, and clocking out at 5 p.m. with zero responsibilities afterward sounded so tempting, especially when I was in the thick of burnout and self-doubt.

But two things kept me from walking away.

First, I kept coming back to the flexibility this career gives me — something I value more than ever. At the time, my spouse was still active duty, and with two very active kids who needed to be run to practices, school events, ceremonies, and everything in between, I needed a job that could move with my life, not work against it. Photography lets me be present for my family in a way that a traditional job likely wouldn’t.

And second — maybe the most important reason — I knew deep down that anything else I did wouldn’t feed my soul the way this work does. Photography isn’t just a job for me. It’s how I connect with people. It’s how I tell stories, capture moments, and make others feel seen and celebrated. There’s a deep sense of purpose I get from doing this work that no paycheck alone could ever replace.

Sure, there are hard days. There are still moments when the doubt creeps back in. But every time I think about what walking away would mean, I realize that this business — messy, beautiful, unpredictable as it is — is something I’ve built with heart. And I’m not done yet.

Al, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m a wife, a mother, and a photographer — and photography wasn’t always the plan.

I actually went to school for accounting, and for a while, I thought that was the path I’d follow. But photography found me almost by accident — it started as a hobby, something creative to balance the numbers. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would connect me to people. As a naturally shy introvert, photography became my way of engaging with the world in a meaningful way, one beautiful image at a time.

Today, I specialize in maternity, newborn, and child portraiture — and these genres feel like home to me. I’ve always felt a special connection to growing families, and my calm, easygoing nature gives me the patience needed to work with sleepy newborns and squirmy toddlers to create the timeless images their families dream of.

More recently, I’ve begun offering glamour sessions, which have given me a new creative outlet to explore more playful, bold, and artistic sides of photography. It’s been so much fun to tap into that spicier energy and help clients feel stunning and empowered.

What truly sets my work apart is my studio space — it’s thoughtfully designed to feel warm, comfortable, and inviting, like a home away from home. I’ve stocked it with everything needed for a stress-free session:

For newborns: cozy wraps, props, accessories, and even a changing table for convenience.
For expecting moms: a curated client closet filled with beautiful gowns and accessories.
For toddlers and kids: a playful variety of themed backdrops and props to bring sessions to life.
But beyond the gear and the space, I hope what really sets me apart is the experience I offer — one that’s relaxed, personal, and full of care.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the volunteer work I get to do. As a Portraits for Patriots ambassador, I provide headshots for transitioning military members, spouses, and Gold Star families. Every Christmas, I also team up with a local pediatric therapy clinic to offer “Sensory Sensitive Santa” photo sessions. These are specially designed for children with sensory, physical, or social challenges who might struggle in traditional mall setups. It fills my heart to see families light up when they’re finally able to get a photo with Santa — sometimes for the very first time.

At the end of the day, I truly love what I do. It’s more than just taking pictures — it’s about creating a fun, stress-free space for people to feel seen, celebrated, and cherished. And my goal is always to deliver images that families will treasure forever.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Honestly, word of mouth has been the biggest driver of growth for my business. There’s truly no marketing tool more powerful than a happy client sharing their experience with others.

We were fortunate enough to be stationed in the Jacksonville area for the last eight years of my husband’s military career, and that consistency gave me the opportunity to really establish roots here. It allowed me to build strong relationships, not just with clients, but within the community as a whole. Many of my clients have come back year after year as their families grow — and they’ve referred friends, family, and neighbors along the way.

I’m incredibly grateful for the trust people place in me, and I think that personal connection — and genuine care for the families I photograph — is what keeps the referrals coming.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

So many things! But if I had to choose just one, I’d say the most rewarding part is being able to create something that truly means something to someone else. Whether it’s a first family photo with a brand-new baby, a maternity portrait that helps a mom feel beautiful and powerful, or a tender moment between siblings — I get to freeze time for people in the most meaningful seasons of their lives.

As a creative, I pour my heart into every session. And when a client tells me they cried seeing their gallery, or that they’ll cherish an image forever, it reminds me exactly why I do this. That emotional connection, that ability to tell someone’s story through my lens — it’s a gift I don’t take lightly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pleasantlycaptured.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pleasantlycapturedphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PleasantlyCapturedPhotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysia-vargas/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Pleasantlycapturedphotography