Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Acua.
Emmanuel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My passion for photography runs in my blood because I can remember that my grandfather was a photographer, not a declared professional but a true photographer. Every experience, detail, emotion, and landscape was captured by my grandfather over the course of many years. I can relate to this now as a photographer where it can be traced back to if we are talking about how it all started. My mother is also a lover of photography and used to own an old Nikon film camera which I never got the chance to use because it broke before I got old enough to carry it.
As the years passed I grew older and it was in high school where I finally dug deep into a photo. I became co-editor along with other teammates for the yearbook for 3 consecutive years. I covered all sorts of events and assignments just like you would for the school yearbook, from volleyball to baseball, wrestling and prom, I was all over the place, loving the free access to everything and capturing all the action of what went down. I did sidetrack after high school and started working retail, with the support of a loving wife and family, I finally decided to join the Art Institute of California – San Diego where I just graduated as a Bachelor of Science in Digital Photography. There I discovered that my true passion for photography lies within commercial photography and travel/street photography. I love to sell, I was a salesman all through Art school managing cell phone stores for Cricket Wireless where I was very aware of the commercial side of imagery, the selling aspect of things, and the love for travel has always been a part of my family because when we were younger and all 6 brothers and sisters could fit in a car, we went on road trips across country, and to Mexico all over the place, and guess who had a camera in their hand most of the time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
All roads can’t be perfectly smooth, even when they have just been paved. I worked full time and went to school full time, so time management was key for me all of the time, yes I did have my days where I just couldn’t get up and didn’t want to get up at all. I will admit, I did tap out a few times, but centered myself again with the help of loved ones and their words of support which we all need, and managed to knock down all the barriers that were left with sales goals, employee training, management, delegation of tasks, courses, assignments, final projects and client work if it wasn’t enough already. We don’t really understand how much we are capable of doing and our fear or our procrastination stops us from actually achieving something. Set high goals, and be patient, work smart and work hard at working smart, sooner than later your good doing will come back.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My photography is about attention to detail and lighting, really focusing on what the client needs. I believe that clear communication between a client and you gives you a much better outcome of final work. I specialize in Commercial Photography; Product, Portraits, Editorial, Fashion. Being in San Diego, I have also expanded into the Real Estate market by shooting homes in an editorial luxury homes magazine style. The thing that I am most proud of as a company is that if I am going to be working together with you I can stand confident and proud of the quality of work that I will offer you, which is what sets me apart from my competition.
What were you like growing up?
Since I was a kid I have been very sociable and energetic, dancing at family parties when other kids were shy or afraid to do so, I haven’t been really affected about what people say about me if I was being myself and having fun. I loved soccer with a passion and still do, before realizing that maybe pro wasn’t the best choice for me, I started looking for ways that still connected me to the sport but through a different way, I started paying attention to the sidelines of soccer matches on TV and noticed dudes with HUGE lenses sitting behind the goal or on the corner kick, now, who is closer that that? Then it all started aligning and here we are now, shooting professionally for clients in San Diego, Tijuana and even Mexico City. Looking to expand into new horizons and meet more people to keep doing more of what I am doing to get to the top!
Pricing:
- 1/2 Day Rate = $700
- Full Day Rate = $1200
- SD Voyager 1 Hr Headshot Session Special 15 Final Retouched Shots = $200!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2475 Paseo de las Americas #3831
San Diego, CA 92154 - Website: www.acuaphotgraphy.com
- Phone: 6197212274
- Email: emmanuelacua@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acuaphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acuaphotography/
Image Credit:
Jimena Acua, Claudia Quintero, Mariachi Clothing Co., Masters Touch Brand LLC., La Valencia Hotel, Vinnie Jade, Nick Nacca – Riverdale Studio
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
