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

Ana, appreciate you joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I were to apply what I’ve learned this pass 8 years and go back in time. First, it would be value my self and my passion. Starting any business, the research is there but is where to find the clients and how to attract them and if you don’t have that sale pitch ready. Well, you’ll lower your sale to get those clients. Atleast that’s what I did, my first years I over worked myself and burned myself just to please clients. However, I am grateful for every experience. I’ve learn how to value myself, my experience and how to market myself. I am always learning and trying to be fair to myself and my clients.

Ana, 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?

If this is your first time hearing about Josephine’s Blessed Photography or Blessed Photography. I am a local Houstonian with yellow glasses and yellow vans who is under 5 feet running and moving around our beautiful Houston.

I decided to launch my business on February 1, 2016. After doing it as a hobby and for free. My family and friends said it’s time to put this a name to this passion. At first it was pretty hard to nail the name but once I knew I wanted to be a blessing to families who needed someone to be their personal paparazzi and capture those moments in their life. It just became a perfect name.

Being a Houston Photographer, it’s truly a blessing but also a bit challenging because around me there are so many amazing talented photographers as well. However, I feel like what makes me a little different is that yes I now charge and my business helps me provide for my family. I also know we are human and life happens. Some days we can afford it and other times we can’t. I want to always be a helping hand. I always want to be able to give back to the community and always support those around me.

Any budget. Any idea. Count me in!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building your audience using social media is truly a challenge. Facebook is a bit harder since you either get people to invite their friends or you risk yourself in adding a bunch of randoms. Yes, I added a lot of random people but it definitely helped. However I guess my biggest help has been doing giveaways. Every anniversary well almost every and my birthdays I try to do something special. I’ve giving many many chances for new families and friends to get free services. That’s truly how I’ve grown in my social media. I try to attract new people by giving away and partnering with local vendors.

Right now, I am celebrating my 8th year in business. So I am doing a BIG GIVEAWAY. I had many of my vendor friends join in with me and I’ve never been so happy. Crying as I type this because is truly emotional to know people out there are down to bless families with their services.

So if you are having a hard time growing your social media. I would say do something out of the ordinary for you or find a way to bless someone.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to be a blessing. I want my art to bless families all over. I am not perfect. However, I want to stay affordable for those low income families who it gets hard at times to afford to take pictures. 2020 broke me when I saw many old family photos of those people who passed away. A lot of post saying. We didn’t have a recent picture of them but we love you. My heart broke because everyone should have a recent photo to show the growth but when they leave this earth they are seen in every stage of their life. Young to Old. Photos to be able to show their accomplishments.

My mission is to always help and assist so every moment in a person’s life is capture

Contact Info:

• Website: https://book.usesession.com/i/qOfbTvdjy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_blessed_photography_?igsh=aDJ1aG41NGtscmtv&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/_blessed_photography_?igsh=aDJ1aG41NGtscmtv&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://josephinesblessedphotography.pic-time.com/portfolio

Image Credits
Studio – Pink Noir – Bellalinas – Vic & Marie Studio