Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ericka Estrella Chick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ericka , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Sooo I don’t know if this falls necessarily on different but maybe that’s accurate, I tent to stay away from generalizing so given the fact that I do not know exactly how everyone “does it” I can say that the way I approach my work far exceeds the “It’s a business only”. To me photography is a gateway for expanding consciousness, and yeah I am rolling my eyes at me right now, but it is sincerely how I feel about it. Each and every session it’s gateway into expanding connection, in allowing the person or group of people on the other side of the lens to free themselves from concern, to open up, to laugh, to hug their loved ones, to be silly and just enjoy the magnitude of being here now. or shall I say then and there, haha, you get me right?

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 background and context?

Sure!,lets see, I started photography for as long as I recall, but as far as professionally speaking it has been approximately 15 years and about 9 of those as a full timer. If we get sentimental and philosophical here I would say that it all started with a vintage DSLR that my mom inherited from her Grandfather, I remember starting at it through the glass cabinet where it sat for the majority of my childhood and wondering when will I be old enough to “play” with it.

As I grew older in my early double digit years I started using film cameras, disposable cameras,polaroids and you name it, taking photos of friends, pets, places and loved ones every chance I got and marveling at the magic that it was to have them developed. Until this day it takes my breath away I can stare at polaroids wondering how on earth is this possible! it brings me so much joy to see the results of all from digital to printed versions.

I work with Canon (Digital) I have a large amount of lenses and crafty cool gadgets, lights,studio lights, flashes and lots of goodies that keep me busy and wondering If its time to double up on closet space yet :)
Problems I solve for clients hmmm that’s a good one, lets keep it short and not to toot my own horn I can say that I am a hundred percent willing to not making awkward, to give it my whole wether we have a toddler situation, a family dilemma, a wedding surprise, a rainy day, a dress incident a barking pup or you name it, I can overlook and mold with the situation and allowing the experience to be a priority, I deeply believe it is important to look back at the images with joy and a withholding good memories.

Uuuhh what Im I most proud of hmm can I get back to you on that haha I would say Im proud of the work I do to grow not only as a business but I relentlessly work on expanding my spirits and knowing fully knowing that this is JUST a ride. we are only here temporarily, I try to remind myself of that as often as I can.

I’d like people to know that Happiness and Joy its our birth right, if we are here, we should smile and embrace what we have been given from our set of eyes to the ability to take a deep breath and LIVE without holding back our happiness and remembering that joy its okay, it does not mean carelessness for the world around us but rather it is our contribution to the world.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of this industry is the opportunity to bask in the beauty of simple things, to look at things from many angles and therefore see life and oneself from many angles.

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

To grow. to share. to dream and to leave behind happy memories.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erickaestrellaphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erickaestrellaphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ericka-Estrella-photography-286017491420324/?ref=bookmarks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir4IraOtads
• Other: https://www.viewbug.com/member/Erickaef

Image Credits
Personal Portrait by Dixie Dixon