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

Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

There is one person who immediately comes to mind when I read this question, an astounding woman by the name of Martha Madigan. Martha was my photography professor and mentor at Tyler School of Art. She had the softest soul and optimistic personality. She’d make me think and feel like I could do anything with just a few words. She was the epitome of goodness in the world and her photography, her artwork, reflected every part of her soul, and still does. She was a pioneer woman in the photography world in the midst of a time where photography was not considered an art form, and managed to be a driving force in fine art photography against society’s expectations. She was a strong and calming presence that brought light into the world and her dedication to her art, as well as her students gave me hope. She taught me that choosing a creative path, though not always easy, is a rewarding one. That when one door closes, another one opens, you just have to have the courage to keep walking through. Her teaching, support, and advice gave me the confidence and strength to continue pursuing photography and my creative process. Martha gave me the gift of helping me envision a life in art.

Erica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was a kid and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up my answer was always an artist. That answer never changed. I was around 13 when I first asked for a camera, and I have been obsessed ever since. There is a specific sense of joy I feel when I capture the world how I see it and then freeze that moment in time. Now I feel this joy when I capture the happiness and love of my clients.

After graduating from college with a degree in Photography at Tyler School of Art it was difficult to find a job that felt like me. After several months, I along with my classmate Victoria, decided that if we cannot seem to find a job that we truly enjoy, how about we just start our own! I have been a business owner along with Victoria at Erica Victoria Photography since 2018. Together we capture love. Whether we are capturing families, couples, or even someone doing what they are passionate it is all about photographing special moments in people’s lives for them to cherish forever.

The job not only fills my heart because of the creative process involved, but I also get to meet and make connections with new and amazing people every day. Posing for photographs can feel nerve wracking and awkward, but I work with my clients with the goal of making them feel so comfortable that we are more friends than strangers by the end. Capturing the genuine emotions of my clients through my photos is the greatest gift. There is no better feeling than delivering photos to a client and seeing their excitement at the photos I captured. It’s heartwarming to be a part of someone’s life in a way that brings light.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

In my experience non-creatives struggle to understand how much work and motivation it takes to be a creative. Having a business in the creative world involves so much more than just the actual craft. You have to be on top of all the nitty-gritty that goes into owning a business. Just like any other you constantly have to be aware of your licensing, permits, taxes, finances, budgets, contracts, correspondence, schedules, and marketing on a consistent basis. We don’t just take a picture, receive the money, and move on. Being a creative you have to wear many hats. Not only do you have to keep up with the business side, but you also have to keep up with trends and the constant updating of equipment. The creative world is an amazing community to be in, but it can be competitive, so there is always the question of how do we stand out? How do we stay true to our creative path, while also making it a profitable business? These answers change as the world changes and it is a real skill to change with it.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest things I had to unlearn is that it is okay to be a commercial artist. I got a degree in fine art photography and I always felt that if I went into commercial work then I was not truly an artist. This is completely untrue. Even though I am taking photographs for a client, my creative and artistic decisions are still me. My fine art background is what makes my photos stand out, and that is my art. I do not have to have photographs hanging up in a museum or featured in a magazine. I wake up in the morning and I am excited to create, that is what makes me an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericavictoriaphotography.com/
• Instagram: ericavictoriaphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericavictoriaphotography/

Image Credits
Erica Victoria Photography and Haley Adair for the Headshot