We recently connected with Simone Arora and have shared our conversation below.

Simone, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

In the wedding and elopement industry, we’re told that we can’t have morals. We’re supposed to show up for the day, take pictures, ignore anything that happens throughout the day that’s against what we believe, and leave. I disagree with this sentiment completely. And know that most other photographers out there reading this will be shaking their heads and rolling their eyes!

In the elopement space specifically, we as photographers have a special role as educators. Our workspace is quite literally nature, so if we allow people to come through and trash a scenic location for their big special day, we’re ruining our own studio.

What am I even talking about here? Non-biodegradable confetti, styrofoam and plastic cups that get left behind, cork tops, napkins, glitter, and all the fun things that come with a wedding or elopement. These items get forgotten on mountainsides, at local venues, etc.

I’ve had thorough discussions with other photographers who say it’s not our place to say or do anything, but this is where I disagree. Prepping our clients with knowledge is a huge part of being in our position. Providing them with alternative options for confetti, picking up cups and corks after an event, or even just gently reminding a guest to not burn a fire in a burn ban zone are all small things we can do to preserve nature for the future. Without nature, we lose more than just our job.

Simone, 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 an avid outdoorswoman and traveler. People like to joke that I don’t know how to sit still and relax. I’m always hiking, kayaking, cleaning, or researching something, so they’re probably not wrong!

I got into photography when I was living abroad for a year traveling with Remote Year. I toured 24 countries on 6 continents, spending time getting to know the people, landscapes, and cultures. I wanted to learn how to capture the beauty, pain, and uniqueness of all the places I was experiencing! A hobby was born, and during the pandemic, it was honed in and shaped into a side business.

It took me a few years to really master what I liked and was good at. I started out using my dog as my muse (to his great dismay), and moved into shootingg landscapes while living in Washington. Once the pandemic waned, I had access to more models for portraits, and was able to discover my love of capturing people and the little moments and expressions in their lives.

I strive to be inclusive with my clients – Love is love no matter who it’s between! I’m also proud of being on the more affordable side, taking on more niche events than some photographers would, and being willing to travel very cheaply in my self-converted van.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh boy. I’ve had a lot of conversations about this with other creatives in the past, and it will continue to be a topic our industry needs to discuss openly. In the photography industry, a lot of people are of the mindset that there’s one way to do things, and it’s the right way – their way.

When you’re starting out as a photographer, breaking into the industry is difficult. It’s a saturated industry since just about anyone can buy a camera and learn how to use it. Which is great! But it’s the environment around the photography industry that has gotten pretty toxic.

A lot of people who have been in the industry seem to like to gatekeep, which is really daunting for a new photographer. “That doesn’t count as a picture since it’s a composite and edited.” “You’re not a real photographer unless you use off-camera flash.”

Unlearning that there’s one right way to do things has helped me grow as a photographer. Photography is art, and art is completely subjective. Tuning out those who say you have to shoot in a certain way has been difficult, but the sooner newer photographers learn to continue forging their own way, the better photographers they’ll become!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

In today’s day and age, texting has become king. Once I get an email from a client, I move to text as quickly as I can. Emails feel too professional to me – I love learning my clients’ personalities via text. Do they send gifs and emojis? Do they like responding right away or do they not like back and forth messaging? It helps me learn right from the start who they are and if we’ll be a good fit!

One thing I’ve started to send out to my clients are highly-curated guides. In the guides I include tips, tricks, and trade secrets I’ve learned over the years. They help clients get a better product and allows them to feel more comfortable with me knowing I know what I’m doing.

I help location scout, give guidance on what outfits look best on camera, and act as my client’s best friend for the day and go above and beyond wherever I can. Making a client feel heard and seen beyond just standing behind a camera is so important to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: simonearoraphoto.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/arora.the.explorer