We were lucky to catch up with Erika Pareja recently and have shared our conversation below.
Erika, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I went to beauty school for skincare and dove into the world of makeup on my own. I spent countless hours practicing on myself and friends, taking every opportunity to try out new looks. I would accept every makeup job that came my way, I was eager to learn and grow. Social media became my best friend; I learned so much from Instagram and it really kept my creativity flowing. I also invested in an airbrushing course and bridal workshop in New York City, which really helped elevate my makeup applications and I learned so many cool tips and tricks along the way.
My journey with photography is still fairly new and I’m taking the same approach by hands-on practice, learning by doing. I’m trying to learn more of the technicality, numbers and flash photography by watching YouTube and taking online classes, but truthfully, it can be a bit over-whelming at times. It’s way more involved than just picking up your camera and snapping a good photo. Sometimes I think about giving up but then remind myself, nothing worth doing comes easy. “If it doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough”, my mantra that keeps me going.
A few key skills that sets you apart would be: attention to detail and time management. Being a bit of a perfectionist definitely comes in handy. When you are working on someone’s makeup or staging a shot, those little details really matter. It’s the difference between just good and truly great. Time management is equally important, especially when you’re on a tight schedule. In many jobs, you have a limited window to get everything done, and I’ve learned that staying organized and knowing how to prioritize helps keep things flowing smoothly.
Balancing makeup and my new passion of photography with my full time job as an aesthetician has been tricky. There were and has been plenty of times when my schedule got in the way of taking on makeup gigs, which was frustrating. I never fully got to commit to just doing makeup because I had to prioritize my job. I do adore my field, but I have to admit, makeup will always have my heart and photography is such a fulfilling creative outlet for me.
Erika, 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?
I started my journey with makeup about 16 years ago, quite unexpectedly. I was working as a massage therapist in a luxury day spa and would often find myself flipping through beauty magazines during my downtime. There were always looks that caught my eye, and I’d try to recreate them on myself just for fun. I snapped photos to share on social media, enjoying the creativity and transformation it provided. After injuring my finger, I found myself at a crossroads, deciding between nursing and skincare, but the spa atmosphere and the joy of pampering people drew me to skincare. I completed a skincare course that helped me pivot my career from massage therapy to the beauty industry, and couldn’t be happier with my choice.
While makeup wasn’t the main focus of my course, I decided to take it further on my own. I experimented with different looks on friends and family. I even made it a goal to practice a new makeup style on myself every day, which really helped me build my skills and confidence. Photographing my results started as a fun way to track my progress and build a portfolio. Little did I know, it would eventually become a huge passion of mine and one of my favorite creative outlets.
I moved to Nashville back in 2014, and being in the heart of the wedding scene, I knew I needed a special name for my makeup business. I wanted something that felt charming and a bit southern but not overly so. After tossing around a few ideas, I finally landed on “Oh Darling Artistry.” I absolutely love it! It has a playful, sweet vibe, which perfectly matches the creative work I do, not to mention it’s a great Beatles song. Every time I share the name with clients or friends, it brings a smile to their faces. Overall, I’m really delighted with my choice; it captures the essence of what I want to convey in my artistry while still fitting into the lovely Nashville atmosphere. I’ve had some amazing opportunities as a makeup artist in Nashville, from working on countless weddings, participating in cool editorial photoshoots, makeup for the Titan cheerleaders home games, showcasing an original makeup look I created with RAW artists and working on a pilot tv show. Every experience has not only helped me grow as an artist but also allowed me to meet so many amazing people. Nashville has truly been a place of inspiration!
Deep down I’ve always had a passion for photography, and it naturally blended with my love for makeup artistry. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that I really got into it. During the pandemic, I decided to invest in a nice camera from Amazon, just to experiment and elevate some of my makeup looks. The camera was user-friendly, which was perfect for someone who was still learning the ropes. I spent a lot of time taking my dog, Peanut, to different places during those quiet days when everyone was staying home. It became a little adventure for us, and I loved capturing moments of her exploring new spots while we practiced social distancing. It was a great way to keep myself occupied; it was something both fun and fulfilling for us.
Sadly, two years later, she passed away unexpectedly. It hit me hard, it crushed me, I missed her so much, I still do. I felt a huge void. To cope, I decided to start fostering dogs and would take pictures of them in hopes of helping them get adopted. I got to meet so many amazing dogs, share their stories and give them a safe space while also showcasing their personalities through photography. It’s a heartwarming way to honor Peanut’s memory while making a difference in the lives of these fosters. Due to my new living situation and busy work schedule, I couldn’t foster as much as I would have liked, so I decided to volunteer my time taking photos of dogs in other foster homes and in the shelters, to help give them more exposure. This experience led me to start my own pet and portrait photography business, which has become a source of immense joy for me. I chose to keep it simple this time by using my first and middle name for my business, Erika Vanessa Photography. It feels personal and authentic, which is important to me. To build my portfolio, I followed in the same steps as makeup and have been taking photos of adoptable dogs, my friends and their dogs, and it’s turned out to be a lot of fun.
I’m still figuring things out, and I realize that photography is a bit more technical — practice makes perfect, right? I’m excited about where this journey is taking me and can’t wait to keep experimenting and growing as a photographer and as a makeup artist.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’ve always been a people pleaser, saying yes to everything just to make others happy. It felt like the only way to earn their approval and friendship. But recently, I’ve been learning that it’s okay to say no and that you can still be appreciated for who you are, without constantly going along with what others want.
Finding that balance is hard sometimes, it’s almost like we’re taught to choose between always saying yes or always saying no, I used to think that agreeing with everyone was the key to making friends, but I’m realizing that true connections come from being genuine. It’s definitely been a part of self-discovery for me, and although it’s tough at times, I feel more in control of my own life now. I need to learn to create healthy boundaries.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As a makeup artist, the most rewarding moment is when a client looks at themselves in the mirror for the first time and is completely stunned– they can’t believe their eyes. Seeing them light up with confidence and joy is everything.
As a photographer, my passion lies in capturing emotion. Whether it’s helping a shelter dog get adopted, taking a candid shot when you think no one is watching, evoking a smile or a tear or a vivid memory through a single photo, or capturing the bond between humans and animals — those are the moments that mean the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/ohdarlingartistry and instagram.com/erikavanessa20
- Facebook: Erika Vanessa Photography and Oh Darling Artistry
- Linkedin: Erika Pareja
Image Credits
Erika Vanessa Photography, Andrea Classen Photography and Angel Patricia Photo