We were lucky to catch up with Cristina & Carlos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cristina & Carlos, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

Asking friends and family for support when starting a business can feel a bit vulnerable, but for us, it was absolutely essential and incredibly positive. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their unwavering encouragement and willingness to help.

Asking for their time and feedback for portfolio building was a huge one for us. When we decided to focus on weddings, we needed to build a portfolio quickly. We reached out to friends and family, and they were amazing about lending us their time to pose for practice shoots. They didn’t hesitate, and their feedback was invaluable in helping us refine our style and approach. They were patient as we experimented, and their honest opinions helped us grow.

The line for us is drawn at mutual respect and genuine support without obligation. We asked for help and accepted it gratefully, but we never demanded it or made anyone feel guilty for not being able to assist. Our interactions are always framed as opportunities for them to help us if they’re willing and able, and for us to learn and grow from their generosity. We want their support to come from a place of genuine excitement for our venture, not from a sense of duty.

One of the most touching stories that solidified our view was during our early days of building our portfolio. We had a friend who, despite having a super busy schedule, carved out an entire afternoon to “model” for us. She wasn’t just there to help us take pictures; she was actively engaged in the process, offering suggestions and genuinely excited to see our progress. Afterward, she gave us such thoughtful and constructive feedback, not just about the photos themselves but also about the overall experience. It wasn’t just about getting images; it was about building confidence and receiving genuine, unvarnished insights. That experience, and many others like it, really highlighted that asking for support from those who truly care about you isn’t a burden, but rather a way to deepen connections and build a community around your dream. It made us realize that when people believe in you, they genuinely want to see you succeed and are happy to contribute in meaningful ways.

We are truly grateful for the amazing people in our lives who have supported Whiskey Hues from the very beginning.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi everyone! We’re the husband-and-wife duo behind Whiskey Hues, and we’re so glad to share our story with you. Our journey into wedding photography is a blend of personal passion, a desire for meaningful work, and a touch of authenticity.

Photography has always been a significant part of our individual lives. Before we even met, my husband was traveling for work overseas, where he cultivated his artistic side through landscape and street photography. It was his way of exploring and expressing his creativity in a new environment. Meanwhile, I picked up my first camera after graduating high school and quickly fell in love with capturing moments. I especially enjoyed taking portraits of friends and candid shots, along with the fascinating process of editing.

It wasn’t until we met that we discovered our shared passion and realized we’d even attended the same high school! A year after moving into our first home, we knew we wanted to embark on something more meaningful than our 9-to-5 routines. We were grateful for our jobs, but we wanted to bring more joy and creativity into our work life. That’s when we decided to start our own business. The name Whiskey Hues came to us because our editing style beautifully reflects the warm, rich tones found in whiskey, an aesthetic we absolutely adore.

We shared our ideas with a wonderful photographer friend who immediately saw our potential. She excitedly told us, “Your niche should be weddings! Your name is perfect, you’re a team, and you both make people smile and have incredible talent.” While a little intimidating at first, with my husband’s unwavering support, the idea of focusing on weddings felt entirely possible.

At Whiskey Hues, we specialize in wedding photography. Our primary service is to document your special day, from the intimate getting-ready moments to the joyous celebration on the dance floor.

For our clients, the biggest challenge is often how quickly their wedding day unfolds, making it difficult to soak in every moment. We address this by meticulously preserving their most important day with both authenticity and artistry. We specialize in capturing those unscripted, emotional moments through candid photography, which truly allows us to tell the unique story of their love. This approach ensures they don’t just have photos, but a complete visual narrative they can cherish and relive for a lifetime. We genuinely love people and thrive on making our couples feel comfortable and joyful. We believe that when you’re relaxed and having fun, your true personalities shine through in the photographs. We’re not just photographers; we’re also there as a source of encouragement throughout your day.

We’re also immensely proud of the organic growth we’ve achieved, largely thanks to the incredible support from our friends, family, and the amazing network of creators we’ve met in the industry. We’ve learned and grown so much, and every step of this journey has been a blessing.

The main thing we want potential clients to know about Whiskey Hues is that we pour our hearts into every press of the shutter. We believe in genuine connections, authentic moments, and delivering images that not only capture what your day looked like, but also how it felt. We are committed to making your wedding photography experience seamless, enjoyable, and ultimately, a beautiful reflection of your unique love story. We’re not just taking pictures; we’re crafting heirlooms. Our dream is for Whiskey Hues to eventually be our full-time passion, and we know, with continued dedication and the support of amazing couples like you, we’ll get there.

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

I think something non-creatives might struggle to fully grasp about our journey, especially in wedding photography, is the subtle yet profound art of observation. In our fast-paced world, time feels like a fleeting thing, and there’s a natural tendency to overlook the small, beautiful details that make life, and love, so rich.

For us, being creative means actively resisting that urge to rush. We consciously slow down and take the time to truly observe what’s happening around us. It’s in these moments of focus that we discover the nuances of a couple’s connection – the fleeting glance, the tender touch, the shared laugh. These aren’t grand, posed moments; they’re the authentic, often overlooked details that tell the real story of their love. We don’t just point and shoot; we’re constantly searching for and finding the inherent beauty in those genuine interactions. It’s about being present and seeing beyond the obvious to capture the true essence of a moment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For us, the most rewarding aspect of being artists and creatives in this industry is undoubtedly the deep connections we establish with our clients. Our artistic approach allows us to step away from a stiff, corporate demeanor and instead, interact with people in a more genuine, relaxed way.

We completely understand that nobody acts “professional” 24/7, and we certainly don’t expect them to. This understanding empowers us to approach our clients as friends, even within a professional setting. It creates an environment where they feel comfortable being themselves, which is absolutely essential for us to capture their authentic emotions and the true essence of their special day. It’s incredibly fulfilling to build those real relationships and become a part of their unique story..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whiskeyhues.com
• Instagram: @whiskeyhues
• Facebook: Whiskey Hues

Image Credits

Studio photos/branding photos: Taken by Nathaly Tabares Photography and edited by Whiskey Hues