We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Atia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
As an artist I found myself constantly questioning my ideas and inspirations. I spent decades (literally) looking for inspiration for what I thought people wanted to see. I obsessed about if others would like me or like my art, that I lost sight of what art truly was. Art is weird, and so am I. I now know that the clients that are right for me will find me, because it’ll be my ideas and my “weirdness” that make me stand out and it’s actually trying to fit myself into a mold that was keeping me from my true potential. I hope to teach my children to just be themselves. To teach them that it’s okay if you’re not everyone’s cup of tea. At the end of the day, the only mark you leave is the courage to share with the world the inner workings of your mind.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Andrea, a 31 year old stay at home mother to the most rambunctious and creative little one. I’ve been capturing images in one medium or another for the majority of my life, and photography specifically since I got my first hello kitty film camera when I was in 6th grade. I always took pictures, but never really was serious about it. I never thought I was good enough or that I could learn. I just kind of sat in the sidelines doubting myself but never taking action on my dreams.
After having my own child and watching my younger sister lose hers, and come back out on the other side and allowing her grief to be transformed into beautiful art, I realized the only person holding me back was myself. Suddenly it didn’t matter anymore if anyone liked me or my work. Suddenly it wasn’t about looking to please anyone but instead finding my audience. And that’s where you’ll find me today.
I started back up with photography in October of 2021, and since then I’ve just kept pushing on. I didn’t really know what kind of photography I wanted to focus on. I spent the summer reflecting on who I was as an artist, as well as an individual. I’m learning and growing more everyday as a business owner.
Now I can say with confidence that I love the creative and editorial styles. I hope to continue to add my own twist on tried and true ideas. I love everything eclectic and I get so excited when someone brings an idea to me to help them recreate. I want to capture the true beauty of others in a way nobody else can. To bring community over competition into everything I do. To lift others up always. To just be myself in every aspect of my life.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think just getting myself out there was the most important part. I just started posting in Facebook groups and interacting with other local creatives that I admired. I looked for people that wanted to shoot with me, and had the same long term goals. I’ve met some of my closest friends and my best clients now by just taking a leap of faith.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I would say it’s collaboration. We are social creatures by nature, and finding others who are just as excited about an idea and put the same energy into it as you really brings such a rewarding sense of belonging and validation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://visionsofauburn.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: @visionsofauburn
- Facebook: Visions of Auburn
Image Credits
Boudoir by Sarah Mich Alyssa Hinkel Aubrey Nobel Carolyn Davidsaver Courtney Trapp Em Lorene Jasmine McBanks Michael Policci Kaya-Marie Grigsby