We recently connected with Stephanie Alvarez and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

My first experience with photography was in a high school elective course, learning with a film 35mm camera (which I still have for nostalgia) and developing the negatives and prints myself. I remember buying my first tripod in college, which I also still have and use! The running joke between my husband and I is about how many tripods I have acquired since pursuing photography professionally.

Initially, photography was just a hobby and creative outlet for me. I enjoyed shooting landscapes and still life the most, and never dove too deep into the technicality of it. After starting my LLC, I leaned heavily on free resources to catch up on what I needed to know about using the equipment and how to get great shots in every condition. And something wonderful happened; I began to approach each learning opportunity eagerly (and sometimes nervously), and it gave me the patience and energy to read and practice, reflect upon and apply the lessons learned after every photo shoot.

I would also say that building a community of likeminded individuals and other photographers has helped me grow immensely. I appreciate my mentor, and all of those in Facebook groups who share their knowledge freely!

The most essential skills I’ve learned so far have been understanding the exposure triangle, understanding what the editing software can and can’t do, and working with flash/artificial light sources.

Stephanie, 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?

I specialize in branding, portrait and event photography, and have branched into videography recently. I have a great desire to create and I enjoy the process, so I welcome special requests and artistic projects as well.

Something that sets me apart from others is my thoughtful and sincere approach to each photo session, as well as my calm demeanor during our time together. This may seem small, but many have commented that it translates into a relaxed and easy experience. For seemingly little effort, magic is returned in beautiful photographs and memories captured.

Whether you’re looking to elevate your personal brand, enhance your business image, make a strong first impression, or create timeless portraits, my experience allows me to deliver visuals that are both artistically striking and strategically impactful.

I offer multiple packages, a referral discount, and a branding subscription for those seeking continuous updates for little hassle!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

This year has been all about personal growth, and I’m excited to channel that journey into my creative passions—photography and writing. Right now, I’m diving headfirst into my most ambitious personal branding project yet, pushing myself to explore new depths and reach beyond anything I’ve created before. I can’t wait to share the full story in the coming months!

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to have plans to self-publish a few projects in 2025 and 2026. From poetry to photo-journalism and stunning coffee table books, these releases will be a celebration of my love for storytelling and visual artistry.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One thing that might surprise people about photographers is that we don’t instantly master every genre, nor do we always know the best gear for every type of shot. Early in my journey, I received plenty of well-meaning suggestions to explore expensive, specialized areas like astrophotography, wildlife, or underwater photography—each exciting in its own right, but all demanding a unique skill set and equipment far beyond the scope of traditional portrait work.

More importantly, I’ve realized that every photographer learns at their own pace, and it’s perfectly okay not to know how someone else achieved a particular shot. Instead of feeling pressure, I think it’s powerful to view the “How did they do that?” moments as a source of inspiration, letting them guide and expand your growth, one step at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stephanieestrella-az.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/stephanieestrellaaz
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/stephanieestrellaaz
• Other: Email: [email protected]
  Booking: https://zcal.co/stephanieestrellaaz