Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Costa.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello there! I’m a small business owner, creative director & photographer based in La Jolla. I recently opened up a photography studio this year on Pearl St. & it’s been a dream come true.
My journey as a photographer started in an unexpected way & out of necessity for my clothing brand, Mika Yoga Wear. As a small biz owner, I wear many hats and one of those hats is creating constant content for social media, branding, and product photography. I quickly realized how much more efficient & cost effective it could be to take the images myself vs hiring a photographer every time I needed content, so I decided I needed to learn how to shoot & edit. At first, my photography skills were very limited, and I had to learn a lot through trial and error. However, over the years I discovered that I had a real passion for photography and enjoyed the creative process of bringing an idea or concept to life through images. As I continued to hone my skills and create content for my own brand, I began to receive requests from other small business owners and entrepreneurs who needed high-quality & creative photos for their own businesses. I love being able to help others bring their ideas to life and capture the essence of their brand.
It’s been an exciting journey and my passion for photography continues to grow with every project. I’m always pushing myself to learn new techniques and find new ways to capture the beauty of the world around us. So that’s a little bit about how I got started as a photographer. I hope it gives you a good sense of my journey and how I got to where I am today. Thanks for asking!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As someone who didn’t have any formal training, one of the biggest struggles that I faced was self-doubt. I constantly questioned whether I was doing things correctly and if I had the necessary skills to succeed. There were many times when I felt like I was not making progress and that I was never going to be good enough.
Another struggle that I faced was retaining information under pressure. Photography has a lot of technical elements that can be hard to remember, especially if you already have a lot of self-doubt. I would often find myself struggling to remember certain settings or techniques, which would make me feel even more anxious about my abilities as a photographer. Over time, I began to see improvements in my work and gain more confidence in my abilities. While imposter syndrome is something that I still struggle with from time to time, I have learned to trust in my skills and believe in myself as a photographer.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in branding, content creation, portrait, and movement photography. Whether I’m behind the lens, editing, coordinating, styling, or planning a shoot, I’m passionate about bringing a vision to life and empowering people through photography. What sets me apart is my focus on capturing images that make people feel proud and beautiful just as they are. I use post-processing techniques that focus on color, sharpening, and contrast while avoiding body morphing. My goal is to create an empowering photoshoot experience and capture the most authentic beauty in my subjects.
What I’m most proud of is the way I make my clients feel comfortable during the shoot. It’s important to me that my subjects feel confident and at ease so that I can capture their true essence. I strive to create a space where they feel relaxed and can express themselves freely.
Overall, my goal is to create a space that makes people feel amazing, inside and out!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The biggest support has come from models, friends & coworkers that I have worked with through my role as creative director of Mika. Their encouragement, patience, ability to try new things with me, and non-judgmental attitude have helped me feel comfortable experimenting and allowed me to push my creative boundaries.
One person who stands out for her unwavering support is Victoria Washington, a fellow creative director. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with her on several projects, and her belief in my abilities and willingness to push me out of my comfort zone has been truly motivating & inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lauracostaphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcostaphoto
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Lcostaphoto-365267454304207/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lcostaphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laura-costa-photography-la-jolla
Image Credits
Laura Costa Photography
