We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elaina Flores a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elaina, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
To be successful it takes deep courage and strength. For me, at 18 years old, I have already faced times where I had to take a leap of faith. In my senior year of high school, I was in charge of the sports videography for our sports teams, I would film and produce hype videos, highlights, and college commitment videos for all of the sports teams. But I already thought I knew what I wanted to do with my future, I was set on going to Parker University in Dallas, Texas to become and Ultrasound Technician. Although, throughout my senior year and even into my first semester of college at Parker, I was constantly told by others saying how I should get back into sports and media videography. Honestly, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind.
After many sleepless nights and long conversations, I decided I would transfer to Dallas Baptist University and pursue my dream of being a media videographer. This was a very scary risk for me, but it was a risk that I was confident in and felt God truly put it on my heart that He wanted me to pursue this career, at DBU. Since, being at DBU I have already seen much success. As a transfer freshman, I work for the Athletics Department doing media for the basketball team and the Division 1 baseball team DBU has. Along with this incredible opportunity, I have already been told about other opportunities for me to work for other organizations at DBU.
I saw myself being more successful in Videography than in a medical field, so I decided to take a step into where I felt called to be, and already the Lord is showing me that this was the right decision for me to take.
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?
Growing up, I always saw my mom with a camera. She was the person who would rather be behind the camera, than in front of the camera. Seeing my moms love for photography has always sparked my interest in getting into photography, but I never really put my curiosity into play until my senior year of high school. I went to Van Alstyne High School, and as a senior I knew I wanted to find a hobby I could bring into college with me and continue to grow in. As I was searching for elective, I decided I would grow in my photography and videography, so I decided I’d continue taking my high schools Video and Technology class (VATV), which I started my junior year of high school.
VATV were state champions 2 years in a row for UIL 4A documentary champions because of Claire and Molly Gallagher. So I knew if I continued doing VATV I knew I would be able to learn a lot of technique and learn how to properly use a camera and film. Doing VATV, I was able to film and photograph my high schools sports including volleyball, football, basketball, track, and Special Olympics. During football season 2023, I started my own business called “Elaina Videography”. This started a snowball effect from all of the accomplishments I would achieve.
Creating my business, I was able to upload a wide range of videos I had made for teams including interviews, hype videos, spotlights, and senior college commitments. I have had opportunities to film at Division 1 schools including Dallas Baptist University and University of Texas at Arlington.
One thing that I feel very proud of is the amount I have grown in such little time. In just over a year, I was able to film every sport, grow in my editing, become well rounded in photography, and broaden my services. And now I am working for my dream schools Athletics Department as a Videographer.
One thing that I feel like sets me apart from others is that when im doing photography, I will specifically ask my client what they are wanting. The people I shoot have different aesthetics, so I feel that if I were limited to one style of editing, I would not be able to attract customers. So being able to ask them for what mood/theme they are wanting to portray during their photoshoot allows me to grow a connection with them, along with knowing that what I am going to provide them is going to be something they are going to cherish.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Change has never been easy for me, if I have to choice to take the easy way I will. But recently I have had to make a drastic change that has made me have to rethink they way I think of taking the easy way out.
I planned on going to college to be a Ultrasound Technician, and I planned on doing that since my junior year of high school. However, in my first month of college I realized that Ultrasound was not for me and I decided I wanted to pursue my career in Media.
For someone like me, making this drastic change was very uncomfortable but in the end, I am more confident than I have ever been, and I am so blessed to be provided with the opportunities I have been given!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
No doubt that social media has been the best source for me to gain new clients. Being able to post content and have people reach out wanting to have pictures or videos taken of them has been incredible for my business.
During slow periods when I’m not able to put out as much content, that is when I have to resort to reaching out to past customers asking them to model for me.
Being able to consistently put out work and expand my portfolio allows for others seeing my content to reach out for business inquires.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @elaina_videography ; @itselainaflores
