Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Ortiz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

My photography business specializes in catering to high school seniors, placing a strong emphasis on a client-centered approach. This means meticulously tailoring the entire luxury client experience, starting from the initial inquiry through the delivery of their final products.

The decision to narrow my focus exclusively to high school seniors came about when my son entered his senior year. During this time, I had the opportunity to spend more time with his friends and observed the unique challenges they faced. High school seniors, in particular, feel the need to be acknowledged and understood, often silently battling personal hardships. A notable concern was the self-esteem of many young girls, who felt inadequate in their own skin.

Motivated by the desire to address this issue creatively, I pivoted my business to offer a solution. Recognizing the potential for a transformative emotional experience, I aimed to make these girls feel exceptionally beautiful, confident, and cherished. The goal was to go beyond traditional high school senior pictures and provide a professional experience that left a lasting impact on their lives and resonated with their parents witnessing their daughters thrive during the sessions.

I sought to create a personalized service where high school seniors could book an experience entirely centered around them, showcasing their best features and unique personalities. The intention was not merely to capture images but to curate an unforgettable, life-changing experience.

As a business owner, mother, and wife, maintaining a balanced work-life balance is important to me. To ensure I could invest my heart and undivided attention into each client, my services are intentionally limited, constituting a luxury experience. By working with a select number of seniors each year, I aim to create moments that transcend photography, leaving a lasting impact on both the individuals I photograph and their families.

Maria, 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?

Maria Ortiz Photography is a luxury boutique photography business specializing in High School Senior Photography and Headshot & Branding Photography. I am known for providing an exclusive and completely tailored luxury experience for each of my clients.

With a camera in my hand for years, I started out in photography as many do – photographing everything that caught my eye. Back in the day, over 20 years ago, that included plants in my garden, my son, family, landscapes, etc. It wasn’t until I decided to get a degree in photography, that I was able to hone in on my craft and found a passion for portraiture. As a professional photographer I photographed wedding, newborns, maternity, families and eventually niched down to high school seniors exclusively. I now also photograph small business owners as well as I can provide a similar approach.

I truly am proud of the fact that I create a customized and memorable experience for my clients – one that they remember for years to come because of how they felt during the time we worked together. My intent is to create lasting relationships and empower women of all ages to believe in themselves and their capabilities. Through my photography, they are able to see themselves in a new and brighter light which brings out more of their inner confidence.

I work very closely with each client during their journey; guiding wardrobe and location selection, as well as gentle direction for posing during their session. Maria Ortiz Photography is known for providing an uplifting experience that brings out the best in her clients. As part of the experience, I also provide specialty luxury products of the highest quality such as heirloom albums and framed prints so that clients will always have these memories in tangible form for years to come.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I firmly believe that as a client engaging with a business, you want to feel acknowledged and understood. You are seeking a solution to your needs. You yearn for a personalized approach, as if you are the sole focus in the room. We are looking for the best “shopping” experience possible.

As I started to build my business, I quickly realized that most of my clients were coming from word of mouth. New clients were entering the fold based on the positive experiences shared by their friends, colleagues, or neighbors. While they appreciated the quality of the images, what resonated even more was the emotional connection I fostered—the attention, time, and gentle guidance provided.

Initially, this personalized approach was second nature to me. However, as I consistently heard such sentiments, it dawned on me that this was the essence of my business. Beyond delivering visually stunning images, my focus was on empowering individuals, particularly girls, to break out of their shells and regain confidence.

I treat each client as if they are my sole focus, and I genuinely believe that this philosophy has been integral to building my reputation within the market. It goes beyond capturing images; it’s about creating an experience that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

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

New clients discover my services through Google searches, word of mouth recommendations, and interactions on Instagram. In 2021, I dedicated substantial effort to optimizing my presence on Google, diligently updating my Google page to ensure its relevance. The strategic focus on Google not only strengthened my online visibility but also facilitated an expansion of my client base, allowing me to connect with individuals from various counties and schools.

Referrals continue to be a consistently dependable source for attracting new clients.The positive experiences shared by satisfied customers contribute significantly to the ongoing growth of my business, and reinforcing the trustworthiness of my services.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mariaortizphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaortizphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariaortizphotography/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreZBqImgq2I8_nJoVN9kTA
• Other: https://mentorships.mariaortizphotography.com

Image Credits
©MariaOrtizPhotography