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

Alright, Angelina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

It started pretty organically. I was posting my photos on Instagram, nothing formal just shots that I genuinely loved. I wasn’t trying to start a business, I was just sharing my perspective. People started responding—commenting, saving, sharing—asking me if I offered shoots. That’s when something clicked that maybe this is bigger than just a hobby.
I made a separate page for photography. I didn’t even know what to name it at first. I kept scrolling through my feed and I realized it kind of looked like a gallery. Like an online exhibition. And I loved the idea that people could experience art in a space that felt curated, intentional, but still accessible. That’s when “The Photo Gaallery” came to me. The two A’s were a nod back to myself and my creative identity kind of like leaving a fingerprint on everything I do.
What made it feel worthwhile was the way people connected with my work. I’ve always had a strong visual sense, and once I realized I could take what felt natural to me and turn it into a service others truly valued, I leaned in with confidence. It wasn’t just about taking pictures it was about creating moments, telling stories, and building a brand that felt personal and powerful. That’s when I knew I was on the right path.

Angelina, 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?

My name is Angelina, and I’m a multidisciplinary creative photographer, dancer, director, and storyteller. My journey into this industry wasn’t traditional. I didn’t wake up one day with a business plan. I’ve always had a passion for creating and started taking photos off my iPhone and just showing them to my friends or family. Then bought my first camera not until my freshman year in college which came from a pawn shop. I was capturing movement through dance or freezing moments in time throughout my struggles I was having in life. I casually started sharing my photography on Instagram and slowly people began asking for shoots, and I realized I had something people not only appreciated but needed. I launched The Photo Gaallery officially in 2022. My creative photography brand built around visual storytelling, with the double A’s as a nod to my name and personal touch in everything I do.

Through The Photo Gaallery, I provide photography and content creation services—everything from portraits, brand shoots, and creative direction to photo and video editing. I help clients translate their vision into impactful visuals, whether they’re launching a brand, celebrating a milestone, or just want to feel seen in a powerful way. My work is deeply rooted in emotion and authenticity. What sets me apart is how I make people feel comfortable, confident, and celebrated. I bring a performer’s eye, a storyteller’s heart, and a director’s precision to every project. I’m most proud of the way my work inspires people to embrace their individuality and trust their creative voice. For anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know: this isn’t just about images. It’s about energy, intention, and helping people see themselves in a new light.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was that success has to look a certain way or follow a specific timeline. For a long time, I felt pressure from society, people around me, or myself to “have it all figured out” by a certain age. I thought I needed a traditional career path, clear milestones, and outside validation to be taken seriously. Creativity doesn’t work like that. My path has been anything but linear. I started just by sharing what I loved: dance, photography, and storytelling and the opportunities grew from there.

The backstory is personal. I had people around me who didn’t really understand or believe in the vision at first. They saw dance and photography as hobbies, not real career paths. That made me question myself a lot and why I’m even doing this in the first place. Over time I had to let go of those limiting beliefs. I had to unlearn the idea that if something didn’t fit in a box, it wasn’t valid. Now I know that my creativity is the blueprint. My art, my energy, my ideas don’t have to look like anyone else’s to be powerful or successful. I’m proud of how far I’ve come by trusting that.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first started my business, I didn’t have a big investor or a big savings account waiting for me. I funded everything myself, piece by piece. I was working multiple full-time jobs on top of creative ones just to be able to pour money into my creative passions. Every extra check or side hustle went into buying equipment, building my portfolio, and leveling up my skills. I bought my first camera secondhand, used free editing apps until I could afford software, and learned how to shoot, direct, and edit all on my own.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me how to be resourceful and intentional with every move I made. I didn’t wait until things were perfect, just started with what I had and made it work. Looking back, I’m proud of that grind. It’s a reminder that even if you don’t have all the resources up front, you can still build something powerful with vision, consistency, and heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thephotogaallery.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephotogaallery
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aangelinaharper?si=NCH8awlUKZuAV7hG

Image Credits

THEPHOTOGAALLERY