We were lucky to catch up with Gabriela Carreon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

This is a great question because I have thought about this before! I started photography in May of 2017, I was tired of losing jobs because the work schedule wouldnt line up with my sons schedule. My grandpa who lives in Mexico and my dad were photographers for a newspaper in Mexico and my brother was a wedding photographer in San Antonio at the time. So I thought “I CAN DO THIS!”. I decided to start my photography business and it’s been nothing short of amazing since! I feel that I started when I needed to. I was mentally prepared and mature enough to take this seriously and I feel like that’s why it’s as successful as it is today.I had too much going on in my life before 2017 and I wouldn’t have been mentally capable of handling a business. I wouldn’t change anything everything started at the perfect time.

Gabriela, 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?

My name is Gabriela I am a wife, mom of two boys and for those reading this…your future photographer! Hahaha! I became a photographer 5 and a half years ago. I knew nothing about photography but I made sure to learn as much as I could and I haven’t stopped learning since. I consider my self a family and event photographer. I’ve done it all from birth photography to quinces and weddings. A lot of people may think this industry is saturated but it’s really not. I feel that my determination and compassion has set me apart from others. For all my clients and future clients I would love for them to know that I don’t see my clients as just a number, after I meet them I see them as family. I am most proud of how fast my business has grown. The success of my photography business and just sharing with my clients on my photography page has also helped my Facebook page become monetized. So now I’m also getting paid to share what I love to do on social media. That has been a huge accomplishment this past year.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I was very tired of getting fired from jobs because my schedule wouldn’t work out with my sons school schedule. So I asked my boyfriend at the time to please help me start this business. I asked him to make the initial investment and I would make sure that we make that money back and I will make sure my business grows. I had to keep my word because we literally took all of our savings so that I could buy a beginner camera and a Mac desktop for editing.. we were living paycheck to paycheck so I couldn’t let him down. I feel that when you’re thinking of starting a business, you may get discouraged because there has to be an initial investment. Always remember that you don’t have to start with stuff that is brand new, or with the best of the best. remember that you can always upgrade everything later on as your business becomes more successful. Don’t let the initial investment scare you away from becoming a business owner.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source has been social media overall and word of mouth. We have to take advantage of social media, when you meet someone, they are always going to ask nine times out of 10 about your social media. Everyone almost everyone is on social media. I have made it a point to grow my social media presence and gain followers throughout the years and I feel like that has helped me a lot. The most important thing is to take care of your clients so that when someone asks them for a recommendation, you are the first one to come to mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gabrielacarreonphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielacarreonphotography/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gabrielacarreonphotography/

Image Credits
Gabriela Carreon Photography