We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Gutierrez Macias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Definitely wish I started photography sooner! Fun fact- I used to be a hair & makeup artist. I was alway at photoshoots/sets but never the one photographing them. Just a behind the scenes, girl. The more shoots I went to the more I wanted to be the one photographing my work. So thats exactly what I did! I became the photographer and I wish I had started it sooner.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

When I was younger I was always the creative + artistic one. Always have had a huge imagination. It took me a while to reach where I’m at. Photography wasn’t my first choice. I painted/drew, then as I got older it was hair/makeup/beauty related art. Ever since I realized I wanted to photograph my own work is when I picked up a camera and started to shoot. I’ve now been photographing for 6 years! Definitely feels like I just started yesterday but for forever at the same time. I started photographing couples and families at first. I quickly realized I’m not the type of photographer to have my clients sit and smile. It never felt genuine to me. I wanted to capture the real moments. The belly laughs and raw emotions. I’m an advocate on getting photos taken often. It’s all there’s left to see of loved ones near and far. Photographs are what everyone treasures and looks for to see someone they love.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Be yourself. Don’t try to portray yourself as anything but genuinely you. It can be very obvious when you’re not and when you’re copying something/someone. Especially in the photography industry. It’s art. Each persons art is different and unique to them. When it’s copied or very obviously not you and your art, your audience can tell. Be true to you. If it takes time to find that, don’t worry. It’ll be worth it in the end. Your clients will book you for you and your art.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Photography was just a hobby for me. A way to express myself and make art. It quickly started to progress into a business and now career. Some days it’s a lot to handle but I tell myself to step back and remember why I started this. It’s for me to express myself creativity and create art/memories for every person who comes to me. Truly at first I didn’t charge and once I did it was just $40 for simple things like gas for going to a location. I also quickly realized the cheaper the price the less respect you get from clients. Free work as well. It’s tricky trying to price your work/skill. Once you find the right price and worth, the more respect you’ll get from clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewanderingimages.shootproof.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephanieambermacias?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewanderingimages/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephamacias?_t=8V4oXhOj8s2&_r=1