We recently connected with Gloria Montiel and have shared our conversation below.

Gloria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve taken on was my most recent adventure; photographing Kenyan wildlife in three different national parks.

I grew up in a rural area, where my family raised and butchered our own livestock. I’ve been an animal enthusiast my whole life. As a kid I’d spend my summers outside on the farm, or inside watching Animal Planet until it was time to do evening chores.

Although it was rural Iowa, I grew up around people of many different cultural backgrounds. I became really interested in learning about the cultures from African countries specifically because of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. On this day of celebration, customers came dressed in beautiful traditional garb to butcher sheep for their families, neighbors, and charity.

As I grew into adulthood, after watching hours of Animal Planet, becoming passionate about sustainability, and learning about big cat conservationists and photographers, Jonathan and Angela Scott, I knew it was a dream of mine to visit the African savanna.

I spent a months saving money, and hours researching an ethical tour company for my trip. When I finally found the one, I gathered my equipment, and spent two weeks between Amboseli, the Massai Mara, and Nairobi National Parks, with a pitstop to bird watch at Lake Naivasha.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a part-time photographer, working in corporate communications full time. When I am not being creative at my 9-5, I am being creative at home, editing, researching or practicing new photo techniques.

I am mostly self taught, there’s not a lot you can’t learn online! The hard part about photography though, is not working your camera. It’s learning how to position your subjects, understanding lighting and composition, and telling a story through an image. In college, I had an internship in the campus communications office on the photo team where I learned some of the fundamentals from photographer, friend, (and boss), Paul Joy. After college, I finally had time and money to invest in a mentorship program, in which I found my love for photographing weddings and connecting with people in the wedding industry.

Not only are weddings one of my favorite events to photograph because I love a good party, it’s also because of what it means to me. Imagine having been chosen by a couple to spend one of the most memorable days of their lives with them! At the very beginning of the booking process with couples, I like to get to know them, and give them a chance to get to know me as well. This connection, while some may not see the value in it, is most important to me. After all, I will be with them all day of their wedding, so making sure we mesh and they can be themselves around me is step one!

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

I think sometimes as new business owners, it’s easy to get caught up in having an overly polished brand and going heavy on fancy marketing, but I’ve taken a more simple approach. I’ve built a reputation with my clients by making sure I understand their needs, under-promising and over-delivering, and by being my true self, all while having fun! In a world of paid-partnerships and influencers, people value authenticity and transparency, and that’s what it’s all about for me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is not always the finished, polished product. It’s the journey getting to the end product. Whether it be a 10 hour wedding day I’m shooting for, or a 5 hour hike up a cold mountain at dawn during the elk rut, it’s important for me to take in and savor every part of the journey. When you appreciate the climb, you’re able to value your work, time and effort so much more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gloriamontielphotography.com
• Instagram: @gloriamontiel.photography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmontiellopez

Image Credits

(Images by Gloria Montiel Photography)