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

Valeri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

It depends on your definition of success. Society has put a huge emphasis on wealth, fame and (let’s be honest) followers. Having any — or all — of those things don’t equal success. Wealth can provide comfort but not necessarily purpose; fame can bring attention but not genuine connection; followers may offer validation but not real relationships. Happiness = success. Fulfillment = success. Contribution to the betterment of society = success. I find joy in photography and at home. If my photography career ended today, I would call it a success. I would leave behind thousands of images of love and family and fleeting moments that will be passed down to future generations. True success is deeply personal and should be measured by one’s sense of purpose, contentment, and the impact they have on others.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Valeri and I developed my first roll of film myself when I was 13. I took photography classes through high school and college and learned to process my own film and print photos. I’m not sure why, but it didn’t occur to me that people took pictures AS A FULL-TIME JOB until 2008.

Now I am a full-time family and wedding photographer based in Pasadena, CA, but I have traveled everywhere from Maine to Hawaii to photograph weddings. As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I specialize in capturing timeless, emotional, and authentic moments that will be with you forever. With the stunning backdrops of Malibu beaches, Hollywood Hills, and iconic LA venues, I focus on the authentic, unposed moments that truly capture the spirit of your celebration. Whether you’re planning a romantic outdoor ceremony, a luxury downtown wedding, or an intimate elopement, my expertise in natural light photography and candid storytelling ensures every detail is beautifully preserved. My goal is to provide couples with stunning, high-quality images that reflect who you are.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Without a doubt, it’s when people tell me they cried when they received their gallery. It means I did my job well!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

When I was a kid I used to sit in my mother’s closet and go through boxes of photos for hours. I did this at least once a month. There were old photos in black and white with torn edges of people I didn’t recognize and photos from my last birthday party all mixed in together. I was always hoping to stumble on something new.

My mission in in life is to encourage families and couples to print. their. photos. I give photo releases and almost all my packages — family and wedding — come with at least one physical print (and some come with prints of EVERY image!). I want you to print your photos. I want your children to be able to physically hold a photo of your wedding day in their hands so you can share with them what came before them. Not on your phone, not on a laptop. Give them something tangible that they can show to their kids one day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.littleblueworldphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleblueworld
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleblueworldphoto
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-blue-world-photography-pasadena

Image Credits

All images by Little Blue World Photography