We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allie Serrano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allie below.

Alright, Allie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Starting my portrait photography business was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. It was like taking a giant step over the Grand Canyon. You see, the hobby of photography is a lot of fun, but owning a business is a different thing all together.

I’d been a photographer for over 10 years when I decided to make the change. I knew how to use my camera and how to create art, I created incredible masterpieces by this point, but I’d never owned a business before. Going into business for myself and living solely with my proceeds was one of the scariest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life.

The day she passed away

The year I took the first steps to start my portrait photography studio was the same year my best friend passed away. It was March 11 of 2016 and I was on the way home from my day job. It was around 9 pm and the roads were clear so I didn’t mind returning my call to my best friend on the way home. I knew she’d cheer me up. Well, not so much. Her mom answered my call and instead told me that my best friend passed away in the middle of the night prior.

“Wait, what?” I pulled over to the side of the road. I was in shock. I did not want to believe what I just heard. “Please tell me this is a bad joke.” It wasn’t. The next several weeks were rough. The most difficult part I had with was that I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. She passed away silently from a brain aneurism and it was a shock to everyone. This bright, young woman who had her whole life ahead of her has suddenly died at the age of 35 with no one suspecting a thing. Why her? Why now?

Turning the Life Around

I took some time to process her death. I realized that this could have been me or anyone around me. I had been living in this dream that was the whole life ahead of me. I mean, we have all the time in the world. Right? Don’t we?

We don’t and neither did she. Life is short and I realized that I spent too much of it wasting mine away. What do I have to show for it? What is my legacy? She passed and hers is the only portrait I never took the time to take because I was too busy. So as an homage to my best friend, I decided that I was going to do something extraordinary that would make her proud.

I decided to go full-time and started a portrait studio capturing incredible portraits of others that would not only give them portraits they love but also perhaps their legacy.

It wasn’t easy

If you ever started a business with nothing but your creative ability, you know what I mean when I say I had to dig very deep. It wasn’t just about knowing how to use my camera and how to capture a good photograph. I already knew how to do that. Starting a business takes so much more.

First, how does one bring clients? How do I market myself? How do I make people trust me enough to work with me? How do I become sellable?

The first step I had to overcome was to open up so that people saw me for who I am and not the fake I thought I was. But who was I, really?

I had been hiding for many years, partially because I was bullied as a child for having red hair. Other kids laughed at me as a child for being different. This affected me personally. I was scared to stand out from the crowd and I would do anything to be loved and accepted. I very much wanted to fit it and not be laughed at ever again.

But that’s not who would make this business thrive. I had to become someone new and much more confident. I wanted to be a shining star to others. I wanted to be someone they wanted to be around and trust me to be vulnerable enough to capture their portrait.

Summary

Looking back, I am thrilled at how far I have come since the day my best friend died. I am standing on my own two feet, with years of a successful portrait studio and it is getting better every day. I have grown a business with nothing but my own skills, in a second language in a country that is not my homeland, an accomplishment that no one can take away from me. I am truly happy. I safely landed on the other side of that Grand Canyon. And what’s more, I offer a life-changing photoshoot experience and capture portraits that empower others in a major way. I help grow my client’s businesses, their personal confidence grows, and their families will always be together. What’s not to love? My best friend would be proud.

Allie, 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?

I am the owner of Allie Serrano Portraits, a portrait photography studio in Tampa Bay serving all of Florida and worldwide. I offer a luxury photoshoot experience and I capture magazine-style portraits celebrating You. Have you ever secretly dreamed of being photographed like a celebrity? Wear a nice suit or a gorgeous gown, have your hair and makeup styled by a professional stylist, and have your portrait captured showcasing how amazing you are? A portrait you love? Enter the photoshoot experience with Allie Serrano Portraits, a portrait photography studio in Tampa Bay, FL where we empower men & women with an unforgettable photoshoot experience, capture magazine-style branding and boudoir portraits, and we celebrate you and your family in portraits, in business, and in life. Don’t hesitate and visit AllieSerranoPortraits.com to book your next photoshoot.

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

Yes of course. People and the value of a testimonial on Social Media and on Google is one of the most important things a business owner needs to grow. Paired that with good SEO with basic keywords, not trying to reinvent the wheels, and you are well on your way to grow.

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

Networking and connecting with people has been huge for me. Overcome your own blocks and just get out there. Don’t wait till everything is perfect. Just do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allieserranoportraits.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allieserranoportraits/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allieserranoportraits
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theallieserrano
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5HrhJCCaTiJph6szoMFYg?view_as=public

Image Credits
Allie Serrano Portraits