We recently connected with Lupe Zamora and have shared our conversation below.
Lupe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?
I had my first negative experience months into my photography journey. A client who had signed up for holiday minis ended up not paying in full at the end of their session, and the reason was due to being a single parent with no money until payday. Although it would have been helpful for them to discuss this privately with me before their session, I had no choice but to allow payment to be made at their convenience, assuming they knew without payment meant no delivery. After all, I had once been a struggling parent, so I was very understanding.
A week later, I received multiple messages pressuring me to send previews. I kindly reminded them they had not paid me in full nor given a heads up on when to expect payment. Suddenly, the tables turned; I was now being called a scam. I was shocked because what reason did I have to scam anyone? It was unexpected and took away the little confidence I had. I realized this client not only lied to me but was now trying to take advantage.
On top of that, I waited almost a month to receive the final payment. When I delivered the gallery, I was nice enough to add additional images to avoid further issues. As if calling me a scammer and refusing to pay for services already rendered wasn’t enough, they demanded that I redo their session for reasons out of my control. I would have been more than willing to redo the session; however, the hurtful words made it hard for me to justify working for this client again. I declined to do more business for them, but the complaints kept coming. I had ruined their Christmas, wasted their time and money, and now they were threatening to leave a negative review on my page and tell everyone they knew not to hire me. Frustrated and tired of dealing with this client, I apologized for not meeting their expectations, politely said my final words, blocked them from everything related to my business and hoped it would never resurface.
I believe everything happens for a reason. Every business owner will encounter that unhappy client who will never be satisfied, no matter how hard you try. We tend to be flexible and understanding, but unhappy clients will use their dissatisfaction to take advantage of the situation. The experience bothered me for a while, but it helped toughen my skin. I was still learning and acquiring skills and knowledge. I was not charging much and investing everything I earned on more gear and education courses. I had no website, business email, or contracts, just a good old notebook to keep track of every booking. Although I did not fully complete the business side at the time, I always presented a professional image by standardizing my process and communicating powerfully with every client. Gratefully, I never dealt with this again, and I genuinely believe it has everything to do with how I attract my ideal clients and understanding that I have the right to choose whom I want to work with.
Lupe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Lupe, the girl behind the camera! A & A Photography was founded in 2020 and serves the Dallas/Fort Worth area and beyond! I am a wife and mother of two handsome little boys, Anthony and Angelo, and we will be welcoming our 3rd boy in the next month or so! Being a mother is the most rewarding job, and I could never thank them enough for giving me so much joy in life.
When I decided to learn the ins and outs of photography, I used that time to be a distraction and help me get through a challenging stage in my life. There were plenty of times when I felt defeated and wanted to call it quits. At the time, I did not expect it grow or become an actual business owner, but I enjoyed the happiness I brought to other people. I’m so proud of myself for never giving up. Seeing how far I’ve come means so much to me.
My brand is built on capturing love uniquely and providing the best experience to my couples. Not all couples are the same, so I must take the time to listen to their individual needs to execute the session thoroughly. Every stage in their relationship is worth documenting, whether it be just for fun, tying the knot, or celebrating another anniversary together. I want my clients to show up and be themselves. That’s when I can capture real emotions naturally with almost no effort. The reaction when their gallery is delivered is like the cherry on top! Not only do I have the most incredible job, but I have also gained many good friends along the way! Watching them grow and invite me back to capture their love stories is what I enjoy the most.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
When I began photography, I was always unhappy with the work I was producing. I focused on self-criticism by comparing my skills to others. Wanting to be great like the other photographers who were already successful, I had to take a step back and understand that I would not reach my highest potential overnight. Trying to be trendy and mimic others’ work will never allow you to be yourself. As creatives, we are our worst critics, but every artist has a vast space to venture out and showcase their talent.
My whole perspective changed when a client reached back out to me to express how much her family photos meant to her. They had never taken photos before because her children were shy and reserved, but somehow, I was able to capture their beautiful smiles. Her gratitude spoke to me and helped me understand the real purpose of creating art. It was not to be better than those around me but to capture those special moments and connect to the experience on the other end of my lens.
My creativity allows me to transform a blank canvas into a beautiful memory that will last for eternity. It’s essential to embrace what you believe in and let your creative work sell itself. Instead of knocking myself down for not feeling good enough, I started to get inspired by those around me. I feel free when I bring my visions to life because I can truly be myself without worrying about rules. Once I found my style, I stood out with my brand, which has been the most rewarding aspect.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The main goal driving my creative journey is to help lift others but, most importantly, reach a healthy work-life balance. My life has been full of obstacles, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it hadn’t been for those challenges. I focused on getting by daily and struggled through some of the worst jobs that drained me physically and emotionally. The older I got, the more I realized how important reaching personal goals meant. I want so desperately to be able to spend more time raising my kids while also making enough money to support them. I have my husband to thank for allowing me to explore my options and find what makes me happy. They say, “Find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” Photography does just that for me. The excitement and fulfillment I feel when my clients are happy helped me in so many ways. Connecting with a business coach has also opened my mind about taking A & A Photography full-time. I have never wanted something more. I’m all about risk-taking, and with all my support, who knows, I might have an exciting announcement coming soon!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aandaphotography2020/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aandaphotography2020/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aandaphotography [email protected]
Image Credits
Main Photo: Lupe, Anthony & Angelo Zamora captured by Vanessa C Photography