Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Delacruz.
Hi Richard, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2017 my girlfriend got me a drone for my birthday. My cousin, who also had a drone, wanted to go to some iconic places in San Diego to get some cool aerial shots. We went to places like Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores and Mt. Soledad and made some videos that we posted on social media. Later that same year, I bought a camera for my trip to Guam. After I returned, I made a cool travel video about our trip. My girlfriend’s best friend saw the videos I made and thought they were really good! So good that she asked me to be her videographer for her wedding. Of course, because this was my first wedding and had no experience, I did the wedding for free. After delivering the video and the reaction I received from her, I knew then that I had to make this more than a hobby. Over the next two years, I started to second shoot for more weddings (photo and video). I went out to photography meetups and worked with models to work on my posing and directing. I shot engagements/couples sessions for friends for cheap/free. I built a decent enough portfolio to start my own business in 2019 and built my clientele. Photo has been more of my focus as of lately but still do video here and there.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I think the biggest struggle was that I was my own worse critique. At times I thought that my work wasn’t good enough for people to want to pay me for. Sometimes I would come back from a session and just replay the session in my head and be hard on myself. I would say things like; I could of directed my clients better, I should’ve posed them this way, or wasn’t happy with the photos/videos that I got. However, my girlfriend, who is my biggest fan and supporter, told me that my work is amazing and believed in me. She showed me that in order for me to grow and become better, that I had to put myself out there – which I did and it proved to be the greatest advice I received for my business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lifestyle photographer that specializes in couples, engagement and wedding photography and videography. I also do family, maternity and newborn photography as well. What sets me apart is that I always find a way to relate to my clients and make them feel comfortable, which really shows in the product I delivery to my clients. The #1 thing I do first with my clients is to get to know them first – ask them about their love story, how they met, who made the first move, how would they describe their relationship in one word – it’s almost like an interview really. I really make this a priority because I want to show them in the authentic selves. Instead of just getting someone who is going to click a button and deliver an image. You’ll be getting a full experience of someone who is going to take time to know you as a couple and have your love shine through in your gallery/video.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve been blessed with good luck to have good, health life and an amazing girlfriend who supports me in everything I do. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today with my business.
Contact Info:
- Email: richarddelacruz.media@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rich.in.color
- Other: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/richincolorphotography_152182/cf_id/5d7eb249f2e716006f7aedaa
