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

Andres, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

The journey to landing my first professional client was an unexpected one. While I had been taking photos for over a decade, it wasn’t until 2019 that I officially began operating under my own name and seriously pursuing photography as a business. I started with friends and family, slowly building a portfolio and gaining momentum, until the pandemic brought everything to a sudden halt.

For a while, everything was on pause. Then, as the world began to open back up, I got a call out of the blue. It was the student club president from the Association for Operations and Supply Chain Management at Cal State Fullerton. They were looking for someone to take professional headshots of their new incoming members.

I was both excited and nervous. On one hand, I was confident in my abilities. But this was my first paid client outside of my personal network, and after spending so much time away from photographing people, I felt the pressure to deliver. Still, I showed up prepared, focused on creating a smooth and professional experience, and ended up delivering a set of headshots they were genuinely thrilled with.

That shoot didn’t just mark my first real client, it re-ignited the journey I had started before everything paused. It was the moment I knew I was truly back in business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been taking photos for over a decade, but officially started my own business in 2019 after years of working in event photography and running a photo booth company I co-founded back in 2014, The Selphy Photobooth. That experience gave me a real foundation in working fast, thinking on my feet, and creating great images in all kinds of settings.

These days, my focus is on sports, live entertainment, events. I work with everyone from corporate teams to concert promoters to runners crossing the finish line. Whether it’s a marathon, a private party, or a packed concert, I’m all about capturing real moments and clean, professional images.

Over the years, I’ve become really comfortable working in tough environments — low light, fast action, outdoor elements, you name it. It’s made me an expert at adapting to any setting and still getting strong, consistent results. If the lighting is tricky or the timeline is tight, I know how to roll with it and still deliver photos my clients love.

What I’m most proud of is not just the quality of my work, but how easy I make the whole experience. My goal is always to take the stress out of the process. Whether you need a few headshots or full coverage of your event, I bring a calm and professional approach, so you can focus on enjoying the moment — and trust that I’ve got the rest handled.

At the end of the day, I just really love what I do. I care about getting it right, making people feel comfortable, and creating images that you’ll be excited to share.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives sometimes struggle to understand is that for many of us, it’s not always about the money. Of course, I’m a professional, this is how I make my living, and I take that seriously. But photography is also something I genuinely love. It’s a passion, not just a job.

There have been plenty of times where I’ve taken on unpaid work, not because I don’t value my skills, but because the opportunity itself offered something meaningful: a chance to grow, connect, or be part of something exciting.

A good example is concert photography. Over the years, I’ve taken on several unpaid gigs shooting live shows, not for the paycheck, but for the access. Those opportunities allowed me into the photo pit and up close with artists I wouldn’t have been able to photograph otherwise. Each of those shows gave me a chance to build my portfolio, refine my skills in challenging lighting, and connect with people in the music and entertainment world.

Those experiences ended up leading to bigger things. The images I captured helped me book paid work with larger clients, and the relationships I built along the way turned into long-term connections. I didn’t always get paid up front, but the value came later in credibility, exposure, and opportunity.

I think for people outside the creative space, that kind of decision doesn’t always make sense. The mindset is often: If it’s work, it should be paid. And while I totally agree that creatives deserve fair compensation, I also believe there’s value in following your gut and doing something just because it excites you or opens doors.

In creative fields, not every opportunity fits into a neat box — sometimes the right unpaid gig can be the thing that moves you forward the most. The key is knowing when it’s worth it and being intentional about saying yes for the right reasons.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Networking has definitely been my best source of clients. Most of the work I get comes from people I’ve met on past jobs, whether it’s a client, a vendor, or even a guest at an event. I just focus on doing solid work, being easy to work with, and showing up professionally.

When people have a good experience, they remember you, and they usually tell someone else. I’d say a good 90% of my gigs have come from word-of-mouth or referrals from people I’ve worked with before. It really shows how important your reputation is in this industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.galvezphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galvezphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalvezPhotos
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/galvez-photography-garden-grove-2