Connect
To Top

Meet Patrick Toth of Patrick Toth Photography in Serra Mesa

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Toth.

Patrick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I found that life’s greatest entertainment was typically found in my outdoor experiences with the beautiful creation surrounding me. I spent my time exploring new places and creating new memories, everywhere from my backyard to the other side of the world. One thing remained the same in all of that time… the peace and joy that I encountered in nature (something I would later come to love in San Diego).

However, in January of 2017, I found myself in a tough season that I was not prepared for. A few weeks into the new year, I was fired from my job and left unemployed in San Diego, California with no real understanding of what would be next in my life. But, after battling the financial struggle and moments of depression, I stumbled upon a passion of mine that has brought together my enthusiasm for the outdoors and my desire to capture God’s magnificence. Landscape photography has connected these two, joining my journey of faith and love for adventure.

With no hesitation, I took a leap of faith and used my savings to buy my first camera (Sony A6000). From that point forward, I have pursued the art of photography with the goal of eventually turning it into a full-time business. I have read books and watched videos to improve my skills, but my success has ultimately come from my desire to just go outside and shoot. God has always led this photography journey and has blessed me with now two showcases in which my photography has been displayed; I currently have a print showcased at MK Envision Galleries in Liberty Station. In addition to these showcases, I have been able to sell prints and create my own brand and website (patricktothphotography.com)!

As a landscape photographer, I want to capture the emotion, energy, and beauty of all that has been blessed to us. I want to share my vision and inspire others to explore what is in their hearts, especially if it is to find a relationship with nature. My photos are my testimony to the adventures, experiences, and lifelong memories that can be achieved in your life once you distance yourself from the world and follow your faith.

Has it been a smooth road?
This journey has not been a smooth one. As most things in life, everything seems to travel over hills and through valleys, and that is what my photography has experienced. In the beginning months of photography after I lost my job, I found that my energy and passion for photography weren’t necessarily aligned with my technical skills. I would spend months trying to better my composition and creative framing… and not always succeeding.

Another struggle in the past year that has tagged along in this journey has been the lack of financial backing/resources for my business. As a result of unemployment and other factors, I have not had the stability to purchase newer (and possibly better) equipment and accessories for my photography. It’s been a little over a year, and I am still shooting with the stock lenses of my body. This struggle has also hindered some of my ability to print in larger quantities and provide any additional services.

Currently, my biggest struggle is the time that I once had to develop my skills and shoot 3-5 days of the week. As I prepare for a mission’s trip and continue to keep busy at my new job, I find less time to work on my photography business. But, I am confident that when these struggles are resolved, a new level of creativity and inspiration will be sparked to take this business to a new level!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Patrick Toth Photography started from the experiences found on the road less traveled in nature… a road that God guided us on. This being said, our company’s specialty is in landscape photography. We focus on shooting nature, oceans, and occasionally the cities inside and outside the California region.

We are most known for vibrant and dramatic landscapes that tell a story. This is our unique angle in this very saturated photography world. Patrick Toth Photography is most proud of the way we are able to display the emotion and energy of the landscape in the photo. This allows us to convey an uplifting and often times inspirational message for our audience!

What sets us apart from other photography businesses is the foundation we stand on as a company. As a Christian-centered business, we aim to encourage and inspire those who see our photos. This being said, each photo taken and edited is intentionally done to bring a specific message to our audience. We work one on one with our clients to ensure satisfaction with their desired photo and we ask for feedback often to make sure our vision continues to align with what our audience is wanting to see. We hope that our photos speak to the hearts of those who view them.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe that San Diego is very saturated with extremely talented photographers. This makes the industry difficult to advance a business in. However, I have learned that San Diego’s diversity opens up opportunities for photography businesses with a specific goal/purpose. San Diego’s art community is not as prevalent and wanted as other cities in the country, but it is growing… which means it is the perfect time to “make your mark” in this city.

My advice to someone who is just starting out is to build their brand and vision first. At times, I got caught up in the business side of creating Patrick Toth Photography and forgot or lost sight of, what we started photography for. Once your vision and purpose are established, get out there and shoot and talk to everyone you meet about your work. My first showcase was at a bar in Solana Beach, as a result of me reaching out to someone at There San Diego who knew the manager at the bar. Be confident in your work and be bold!

I would say that San Diego could try to increase the number of local art festivals in the area and invite local upcoming artists to display their work. The City advertises and promotes the wide variety of food & alcohol by hosting hundreds of food and alcohol-related festivals, but does not spend as much time and energy (in my opinion) in promoting the arts that the City aspires to have.

Pricing:

  • 4×6 print: $5
  • 6×9 print: $10
  • 8×12 print: $15
  • 12×18 print: $30
  • 16×24 print: $90

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Patrick Toth, Patrick Toth Photography

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.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in