Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carlos Sanchez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carlos, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
The idea for my photography business took root from a personal place—my daughters and the sports they love. Watching them excel on the field and in the arena was inspiring, yet I noticed a significant gap: female athletic events were often overlooked by photographers, leaving these talented athletes without the recognition they truly deserved. This lack of representation ignited a passion in me to change that. I wanted female athletes, like my daughters, to feel seen, celebrated, and, above all, epic in their moments of triumph.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because I saw the profound impact that representation can have, especially for young athletes. There was a clear gap in the market and an opportunity to make a genuine difference, not only by capturing action-packed shots but by uplifting these athletes through art that celebrates their dedication and strength. Driven by a mission to shine a spotlight on all athletes, I felt confident that with my passion and vision, I could make a lasting impact in this space.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a sports and portrait photographer driven by a passion to capture moments that matter, especially for female athletes who are often underserved in terms of media coverage. This business began with my daughters, who inspired me to create a service that gives young female athletes the recognition they deserve. My services include sports action photography, team media days, and individual sports portraits. I aim to bridge the gap between what high schools or clubs offer and the elevated media experience seen in college or pro sports.
What sets me apart is my dedication to each athlete’s journey and my business growth, entirely through word-of-mouth recommendations. I’m proud to have tripled my client base within a year without advertising, relying solely on the trust and positive experiences shared by my clients. For anyone considering my services, I want them to know that my goal is to make every athlete feel seen, valued, and truly epic in their athletic achievements.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
While my primary career spans 27 years in video game development, my photography journey began as a passion project. Over time, it evolved from a side hustle into a thriving part-time business, driven entirely by word of mouth. Initially, I took on free sports and portrait shoots to build my portfolio and experiment with lighting and creative setups. Now, I dedicate about 25 hours a week to selective projects. My long-term goal is to retire from games and grow this into a full-time photography business in the next 8 years.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being a creative is sharing my work with the world and seeing how it resonates with others. In game development, that excitement comes from players finally experiencing years of hard work and imagination. However, that feedback is rare, as games take years to complete. With photography, I get that thrill multiple times a week. Hearing clients’ reactions fuels my creative drive, reminding me that beyond having great ideas, it’s about how those ideas impact others. For me, that excitement and connection make everything worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://csphoto.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlos.sanchez.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlossanchezphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos—sanchez/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlos.sanchez.photography
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/csphotography.bsky.social
Image Credits
Credit is my own:
Carlos Sanchez Photography LLC