We were lucky to catch up with Stetson Ybarra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stetson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the most significant risks I’ve ever taken was the decision to quit my job and embark on a five-month journey across the country, with the goal of visiting as many national parks as possible. Life had been moving rapidly, I had recently transitioned from living in Japan to settling in Las Vegas and I found myself questioning the path I had been on for so long. For much of my life, I had chosen the safer route by securing stable jobs, avoiding uncertainty, and simply going with the flow.

During my college years, I spent my free time watching documentaries about artists from various disciplines. Their dedication and passion opened my eyes to a different way of living—one driven by purpose rather than predictability. I also found inspiration in my brothers, who discovered their artistic callings early on. Their journeys stirred something within me, encouraging me to break from convention and take a leap into the unknown.

It all began with a National Geographic guidebook featuring America’s national parks and trails. That book sparked the initial idea: to leave behind the routine and find something more meaningful. I packed up my truck with only the essentials and most importantly, my camera and hit the road alone.

Traveling solo across the country gave me the gift of time and space, space to reflect, disconnect from distractions, and reconnect with nature. It was in these quiet moments, surrounded by mountains and deserts, that I began to find what I truly wanted from life. It wasn’t until near the end of my journey, while sitting on a bench in Guadalupe Mountains National Park looking out to some amazing mountain views that I pursue photography.

From that moment on, I immersed myself in the craft to learn everything I could about photography. When an opportunity arose to specialize in residential and architectural photography, I knew immediately that my leap of faith had been worth it. That single risk had set me on a path of purpose, creativity, and fulfillment.

Today, I’ve turned that passion into a business running a media agency focused on residential and architectural photography. What began as a personal journey of self-discovery has become a professional calling, and I haven’t looked back since.

Stetson, 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?

Once I discovered my passion for photography, I found myself drawn to the world of residential and architectural imagery. It started with an unexpected opportunity of being in the right place at the right time and quickly became a deep appreciation for the art of capturing design, structure, and space. Over time, this path led me to build a business centered around luxury real estate and architectural photography.

As I spent more years in the field, my personal style began to emerge through experience, creativity, and an ongoing dedication to the craft. What began as a solo pursuit has grown into a full-scale media agency, where I now also have the privilege of mentoring new photographers. Helping others find their footing and flourish in this industry has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.

Our agency offers a full suite of media services from photography and video to tailored marketing tools designed for real estate and architecture. Every project brings something new, and it’s that constant evolution, along with the creative trust of our clients, that fuels both our innovation and success.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The most powerful source of new clients has consistently been exceptional customer service. Regardless of the project’s size or scope, our commitment to providing an outstanding client experience has been instilled during my early years in the service industry, where I learned the value of perseverance, problem solving, and always striving for the best possible outcome.

Over time, this dedication has helped build a strong reputation, with most of our new business coming through word of mouth. There’s something incredibly rewarding about knowing that our clients refer us not just for the quality of our work, but because they trust that we’ll give 100% every time. Seeing their satisfaction after a project is complete makes the effort worthwhile and reinforces why we do what we do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining examples of my resilience came after college, when I made the bold decision to leave everything behind and travel across the country, visiting national parks in search of a fresh start. It was a turning point, a conscious choice to prioritize what felt right for me, even if it meant stepping into the unknown.

The idea of staying on a path that no longer inspired me was far more unsettling than the uncertainty of starting over. I didn’t know exactly what would come from taking that risk, but I knew that remaining in the same place would never lead to meaningful change.

That journey became more than just a road trip, it was a period of deep reflection and growth. I gained not only a clearer sense of direction, but also the resilience to trust myself, make hard choices, and adapt to whatever challenges came my way. The lessons I learned during that time continue to shape how I approach both life and business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootedelementsmedia.com/
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