We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Felicia Garcia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Felicia below.
Hi Felicia, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I had always been interested in art as a child. But it wasn’t until my first photography class, in high school, that I decided I wanted to become an artist. That was when I began to understand that art and creativity was something that I could actually pursue professionally. Photography came easy to me because I was already familiar with the foundations of art and design. I just had to learn the technical skills.
Almost a year after I started learning photography, my classmates started asking for photos. And then, a friend of a family member asked if I could take some pictures at a party and little by little it grew from there. But the crazy thing is, even with so many people that believed in me, it still took me another 15 years before I felt confident enough to take the leap and pursue photography as a career.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
After high school, I worked in Higher Education for about 10 years while I pursed my Bachelor’s of Art in Art. But, when I graduated from college, I still wasn’t very confident in my skills. So, I continued taking on small photography gigs as a side hustle for a few more years. Everything changed for me after my grandmother died. Suddenly, I realized what was most important in my world and found the motivation to start moving forward with my dreams and open my business.
I began by shooting anything and everything I could. Boudoir, maternity, events, food, products, whatever I could. About a year into it, I found myself doing more and more creative brand photography for small businesses. I gravitated to it because I have always had a passion for photographing women. There is something divine and radiant about feminine power. And this just felt like the right path for me.
Now, I get to go out and work with my community doing something I love. And through my work, I have had the opportunity to teach classes, shoot for magazines, collaborate with other entrepreneurs, shoot fashion for small boutiques, and so much more! But for me, the best part is capturing the beauty of where each individual is on their journey. Really getting to know them and being there to document their journey, share their stories, encourage them, and celebrate all of their amazing milestones is very empowering for both me and them.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I started my business only two months before COVID hit the U.S. And I’m going to be honest, the first year was rough. But the one indispensable resource that I wish I knew about sooner is the power of community. I joined a business community about 8 months after COVID hit and it changed the game for me. All of a sudden I had experienced entrepreneurs who were willing to advise me, referrals, encouragement and a loyal crew that showed up to all of my events. They also supported me whole heartedly on social media and helped increase my engagement and my overall success on Instagram. I owe so much of my business growth to my community.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are so many ways people can support artists these days. I would suggest starting local. Shop small at local art events, consider giving artwork as a gift, sign up for art classes to learn from creatives, commission an artist for a special piece. But, the three easiest ways you can support creatives is by attending art shows (which are usually free), referring your favorite artists, and by engaging with the artist on social. Follow them, and comment on their posts. Or take a pic at their event and tag the artist (with their permission) and share it with your community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hey-felicia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyfelicia_studio/
Image Credits
Felicia L Garcia Studio LLC Olivia Beltran