We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ylva Erevall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ylva, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?
One memorable success story involves a woman who wanted a birthday gift that would push her out of her comfort zone. My friends, who are in a relationship, recommended her boyfriend gift her a portrait session with me. On the day of the session, her boyfriend and my friends joined us, bringing champagne and a cheese platter, creating a celebratory atmosphere.
My creative partner, the late and great makeup artist JP Ramirez, worked his magic to glam her up. One of my friends helped her choose a dress that she initially thought was too revealing. She planned to pin it to make it less VA-VA-VOOM, but after seeing herself in the mirror post-makeup, she abandoned the pins. It was her first time having professional makeup and photos taken, and though she was initially shy, she quickly relaxed in front of the camera. We had a blast creating beautiful images together.
A few weeks later, my friend called me, jokingly asking, “What did you do to her? She’s a completely different person!” I later met this woman at a mutual friend’s birthday party, and she shared how transformative the session had been for her. She confided that she had been bullied in school, always felt ugly, and struggled with insecurity. The session helped her see her beauty and made her feel empowered and confident. Whenever those old insecurities crept in, she would recall the studio experience, instantly feeling great again.
Hearing how impactful the session was for her deeply touched me. Since then, I’ve had numerous private portrait clients share similar experiences of empowerment and confidence gained from their sessions. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work can have such a positive effect on others.
Ylva, 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?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. My name is Ylva, and I am originally from Sweden but I have spent 19 years in NY, and the last 2 in LA. My journey into this industry was sparked by a deep passion for visual storytelling and a desire to make a meaningful impact through creative expression. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of images to convey emotions, tell stories, and inspire change. This passion led me to explore photography and advertising, where I found a perfect blend of creativity and strategy.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, from intimate portrait sessions to large-scale advertising campaigns. My work is centered around understanding my clients’ unique visions and translating them into visual narratives that resonate with their audience.
I’m here to help you tell your story. Whether it’s a portrait session that captures the essence of who you are, or an advertising campaign that elevates your brand, my goal is to deliver results that go beyond expectations and leave a lasting impression.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the profound connection I form with people through my work. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about transforming an idea, emotion, or story into a visual form that resonates deeply with others. Experimenting with different techniques and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible allows me to communicate and evoke feelings that words alone often can’t capture. Additionally, being surrounded by other creatives while bringing our clients’ visions to life is truly inspiring.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for me has consistently been word-of-mouth referrals. Nothing beats a personal recommendation from someone who has had a positive experience working with you. When clients are genuinely happy with the results and the collaborative process, they naturally share their experiences with friends, colleagues, and their own networks.
In addition to word-of-mouth, building strong relationships with existing clients has been key. When you invest in understanding your clients’ needs and deliver work that exceeds their expectations, it often leads to repeat business and referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ylvaphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ylvaerevall/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ylvaphoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ylva-erevall/
Image Credits
Ylva Erevall Photography