We were lucky to catch up with Callie Saldana recently and have shared our conversation below.

Callie, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I originally started as “Captured by Callie,” which felt like a cute and simple name for my business while I was attending college. That was the name I stuck with for a few years as my business grew, but over time I realized it just didn’t embody how I really felt about what I was doing, what it meant to me. I had a dream (no, literally) about a never ending sunrise and when I woke up, I really sat on it. A sunrise is the beginning of each day. It’s this beautiful, colorful, spread of light after a long dark night. To me, a sunrise is the beginning of life. I decided to change my business name to Sunrise Media Co because I wanted to really capture the essence of what a sunrise is. I wanted to capture the joys of life, the light of a new day, the start of a new chapter. Even if it seems simplistic to others, that name is exactly what feels right. This business had brought me so much community, so many beautiful moments, and has challenged me in all the right ways to help me continue growing. I love what this business has become.

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.

My name is Callie. I am currently 27, a wife of 5 years, a mother of 2 wonderful children, and have found home in Colorado. I started taking portraits in college and loved the way I could make people feel by showing them how I viewed them through a lens. I was attending college for studio art and film studies and loved creating while I was learning so I could apply all the amazing things I was beginning to see. My friends were constantly modeling for me with abstract and fun ideas and were always amazed at what I would come up with. Photography was a part-time hobby for a long time, as it was more important for me to just enjoy it while I was trying to figure out college and living on my own. It was more of an escape and creative outlet than anything. Over time, I was booking more and more clients and during my first pregnancy, was juggling photography on top of two other jobs. As first-time parents, we were terrified (naturally) and were doing everything we could to prepare financially. The day my daughter was born I looked at her and told myself there was no way I could go back to those jobs that would take me away from her all day, every day. On her birthday, I decided I would make photography work as my full-time and only job. That was 4 years ago, and for 4 years I have had the opportunity to be present with my children and provide for them while actually really enjoying everything I am doing. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized what mediums I have favored and currently offer digital photos, film photos, and occasionally digital videos for my clients. My ideal clients are people who trust me with creative freedom and vision, and allow themselves to live in the moments and really just enjoy themselves. I love advocating for those who want to do what they want, especially when its non-traditional. It’s our lives we live every day, why not make sure that, when it’s captured, it actually resembles us? My primary gigs are weddings, and I love being able to tell stories of the day and all the amazing emotions that surround it. Working weddings has also allowed me to create an arsenal of problem solving tactics, including: boutonniere pinning, tie tying, dress bustling, stain removing, planning the day by amount of daylight, and even as much as hair, makeup, cake decorating and bouquet making on a few occasions. I think what helps me stand out is that I will never walk away when a problem arises. With everything I have experienced in this field, I have potential solutions for just about everything and my main goal is to make sure my clients are happy, taken care of, and as stress-free as possible while celebrating milestones they decided to share with me.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

A lot of what I learned was from school, YouTube, and trial and error. It took a lot of time and energy to figure stuff out on my own. When I first started out, I felt quite isolated and unsure. I sought out community a few times and was quickly shut down by bitter people that felt like the passion was only for them, the established. I was not resilient then, and decided it would be easier to be alone.

What I wish I knew earlier in my creative journey is that there are communities of people who actually welcome others, encourage them in their endeavors, and support their businesses. It took me a while to find mine, but it is by far one of the coolest and most cherished parts of my job. If I were to go back and tell myself one thing, it would be to not give up. That community exists, and the coolest part is that I, in part, made it. I surrounded myself in others who had the same passions, the same drive, and who were just flat out cool people. They are my community now and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal for every project I am on is to evoke emotions. I want people to feel the freedom to trust the process, enjoy the day, and FEEL. When we look at photos, we see the people we love living moments we cherish. I want them to look at my images and be able to relive that exact memory, always. I also always advocate for my clients to choose what is best for them, and what they want. Working in the wedding industry has shown many colors, including hard family dynamics and outside opinions that don’t resonate with them. My goal is also to remind them that this day will forever be theirs, and they should be able to remember it the way they always wanted it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sunrisemediaco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunrisemediaco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunrisemediaco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sunrisemediaco5129

Image Credits
Sunrise Media Co