We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elysia Fernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elysia below.

Elysia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

The learning process within the craft has been interesting i’d say, but definitely very rewarding. I decided to take the non-traditional approach and teach myself mostly everything I know. I definitely had some help from my fabulous mutuals that share the love of the craft and of course, YouTube videos.

The only thing that really comes to mind that would have helped my learning process, would have been to start developing my own film sooner. Starting more of a hands on approach as opposed to reading article after article, watching video after video. I feel like I was only making it more intimidating for myself. The skills that are most essential, I feel, is seeing your mistakes and figuring out why that happened. Researching that problem and trouble shooting for next time. Learning from the experience and the outcomes, visually.

Obstacles that stood in the way for me, were my own nerves really. I was so anxious to ruin a roll and my images be gone 4ever, but honey – that’s all part of the game. In order to improve we must execute, and then fine tune from there. Oh, and money of course! Art is expensive lol all the necessary tools you need really stack up. That’s why it’s important to shop/support local. <3

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

What sparked my interest in photography was one of my first boyfriend’s actually. He appreciated analog film and the medium as a whole. Gifted me a couple of 35mm rolls to start off on and bAm, I was on the wave and obsessed. I was going to school at the time for Audio Engineering, I decided to drop out and start my analog photography journey. I started off photographing a bunch of indie music shows, candid party shots. All that good stuff. Pure, wholesome, euphoric quality content i’d say.

When I take a step back and think about what my photography style, it’s pretty all over the place. Street photography, lots of nights out with pals, fashion photography, some contemporary styles. I realized the common factor was that I was often take advantage of my surroundings. Seeing the beauty in everyday life and capturing it. I came up with Loverz Only Photography, with the idea that my style isn’t limited, allowing me to shoot in whichever direction I’d like. Really focusing on keeping the flame alive, the passion for photography and its art form.

From film processing and scanning, portrait photography to more conceptual shoots, my favorite part is getting to style my client. Being confident is such an empowering feeling, and also a very important emotion we must experience within ourself. We all deserve to feel like our best self, and I want to help empower my clients and community if I can.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

What I strive and focus on in my work is a providing a voice and platform, a safe space to the marginalized. It’s important for me to work with my community. Building each other up, collaborating on projects and most importantly, with each other’s vision. Cultivating and working with one another, enhancing our community.

I had a lot of insecurities growing up around body image, being a 4th generation mexicano and what came along with. Struggling to meet with what society expected of me. I want to help alleviate any pressures from the day to day when i’m with my clients. This is their time to focus on what makes them happy, how they truly want to represent and celebrate themselves.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There’s a couple of things that I would have been grateful to know about in the whole creative process. Non-profits and organizations are out there ready to help you with your vision, funding on projects/equipment to get the ball rolling. Want to be apart of a gallery, or studio residency? There is non-profits and organizations out there ready to help you! Especially locally here in ATX. It’s a beautiful thing really, community coming together to help you be able to create you art.

If I knew about these platforms, it would have helped out with some of my hurdles for sure, alleviate some of the stress I was enduring. It’s important for us to know that there are organizations out there wanting to help us crate art, just gotta do a little diggin’ online / in the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loverzonlyphotography.darkroom.tech/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loverz_only_photography/?hl=en
• Linkedin: linktr.ee/Loverzonlyphotography
• Other: https://elysiafernandez.myportfolio.com/

Image Credits
Yours Truly, Loverz Only Photography Double exposed photo, collaboration with my pal Merecedes, film.fawn on IG. Her page :https://www.instagram.com/film.fawn/?hl=en