We recently connected with Gina Solorzano and have shared our conversation below.

Gina, appreciate you joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I had to start over today, the first and most important thing I would focus on is believing in myself and surrounding myself with people who believe in me. We are often our own toughest critics, and in my case, I used to think that perfectionism would help me grow as a photographer. But in reality, it only slowed me down.

Something as simple as consistently sharing my work online—an essential practice in today’s digital world—was a challenge for me because I was overly critical of my work. To overcome this, I started reaching out to photographers I admired, especially those in my city, to see if I could work with them, build my portfolio, and learn from them as mentors. Their feedback not only helped me improve but also gave me the confidence boost I needed. Sometimes, a few words of encouragement from someone you admire can make all the difference. In my home country, mentorship isn’t as common as it is in the U.S., so discovering its value here has been a game-changer for me.

Another key factor in my journey has been the support of those who believed in me. My now-husband, for example, encouraged me to keep pursuing photography when I was struggling with the demands of my corporate job at the time. His support helped me push through self-doubt and take my work seriously. That’s why I always encourage others to surround themselves with people who believe in them—even if it’s just one person.

If I were starting over, I would remind myself to trust the process, share my work fearlessly, and embrace the fact that growth comes from consistently showing up—not from waiting for perfection. Taking action, seeking mentorship, and surrounding myself with the right people would have helped me get where I am today much faster.

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 back background and context?

I’ve been passionate about human connections for as long as I can remember. My photography journey started when I was 15, when my dad gave me my first camera as a gift. Over the years, I fell in love with capturing emotions and telling stories through images, which led me to wedding photography.

As a wedding photographer, I specialize in creating timeless, elegant images that reflect each couple’s unique love story. My focus isn’t just on taking beautiful photos, it’s on making my clients feel comfortable, present, and completely themselves on their special day.

One of the biggest challenges couples face is finding a photographer who truly understands how important these moments are. I help solve this by offering a highly personalized experience, guiding them through the process, providing location ideas and timelines, and ensuring they feel confident in front of the camera.

What sets me apart is my deep commitment to my clients. I don’t just show up on their wedding day, I’m there from the beginning, providing support and guidance so that when the day arrives, they feel relaxed and can enjoy their wedding day.

One of my proudest achievements is building my business in the U.S. after moving here almost two years ago. Learning a new market, improving my English, and growing my brand from the ground up has been both challenging and rewarding. This experience has helped me grow not only as a business owner but also as a person.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building my reputation within the market has required consistency, authenticity, and a genuine passion for what I do. From the beginning, I focused on providing an exceptional experience for my clients, ensuring they felt valued and supported every step of the way.

Word-of-mouth has played a huge role in building my reputation. When clients feel comfortable and appreciated, they naturally share their positive experiences, which has led to many referrals. I also made an effort to engage with local wedding communities, both online and through networking events.

Another important factor was showcasing my work on my website. Sharing full galleries allowed potential clients to see not just the stunning images, but also the genuine moments I capture, building trust and a deeper connection. By sharing real, intimate moments, I aim to give people a glimpse into the love stories I tell through my lens.

Lastly, I strive to be approachable and professional. I believe that a strong work ethic, clear communication, and reliability are essential. For instance, my contracts provide peace of mind by addressing potential unforeseen circumstances. In the rare event I can’t attend a wedding, I have a community of trusted photographers I can rely on to ensure the day is covered. Additionally, I offer a guarantee for photo delivery or a refund, which gives clients confidence that their memories will be delivered as promised, even in the most unexpected situations.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, especially a photographer, is creating images that bring happiness to many families. The greatest reward of all is seeing my clients excited about the memories we’ve captured together and knowing that I played a part in making their day special.

Another aspect I deeply appreciate is all the people I’ve met through photography, especially since I’m based in Vegas and capture elopements and weddings for people from around the world. This has been especially meaningful to me as an introvert but also as someone with a curious mind, always eager to learn about different cultures.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginasolorzano.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginasolorzanophoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginasolorzanophoto/

Image Credits

gina solorzano