We recently connected with Laura Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Like many professional photographers, this all started as a hobby. In 2011 I bought my first DSLR camera and began experimenting, taking photos of family and friends, then slowly taking classes. I looked up everything from online classes, mentorships, in person workshops, YouTube videos, you name it! When I decided to specialize in newborn photography, I knew safety was top priority for me. I had hands on experience with mentors that could guide me in how to properly pose and handle a newborn baby. This I believe makes the biggest difference in hiring a professional. It’s essential to know what you are doing when caring for a stranger’s baby. Though educational mentorships and workshops are a big investment upfront, I wish I would’ve been able to jump in sooner to know how to do things properly from the beginning. A business in photography is much more than snapping photos. It involves safety, posing, lighting, accounting, marketing, creativity and so much more! I hope to one day be able to do the same for other photographers who are just starting out!

Laura, 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’m a mom of two little ones and began this career as a hobby, then it flourished when I became a stay at home mom and really needed something that was just me. Motherhood is all-consuming and I found myself wanting something more. I specialize in newborn photography, and work with many post partum mommas, toddler siblings, and of course… infant babies. I know how important it is to capture these fleeting moments, and I blend my photography expertise with my mommas heart to bring images to life that I know moms will cherish forever. I’m not shoot and burn, I’m not scheduling sessions back to back, and I don’t rush our session. I try my best to make small children (and parents) feel comfortable in my studio so that we can create the most organic and authentic images. I also completely relate to the tantrums, the tears and the toddler wiggles! Patience is key in this industry, and my repeat clients can vouch for that!

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

Word of mouth and client referrals are a big deal for me. I strive to give my clients the very best experience when they are in my studio. It fills my heart so much when clients return with their 2nd baby, 3rd baby, for Christmas photos, Mother’s Day Minis, and more! Sometimes I’m the first to know about pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, and difficulties bringing babies into this world. I truly try to find time to connect with each client, make sure they walk away with a positive experience, and love their images! I’ve been told time and time again that clients love how patient I am with their children. I think this is because I’ve been there, your child’s tantrums are normal, and I’m going to get you some great images even if I’m sweating and chasing a toddler around!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started doing photography as a business, and not just a hobby… it was easy to say yes to everything. What I quickly learned was that I didn’t want my career to take over my life. I was soon editing until 3 am almost every night, frustrated when my kids wouldn’t let me work, and giving up my weekends with family. I had to get some perspective on why I did this in the first place… to have balance with my kids and my work. To be able to be the mom that could pick up her kids every day, be at every school function, and always be there when my kids were sick. However, I’ve always needed a creative outlet. I knew I had to learn that not every client is for me, I don’t have to do styles that I don’t want to, and there are clients who will truly love you for your work and not just your price tag.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LauraAliciaPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraalicia_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraAliciaPhoto

Image Credits

All images taken my Laura Gonzalez of Laura Alicia Photography LLC