Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Alvarez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Diana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Photography was born; the day I took my first photography class. But before taking my first class, way before, when I was a child, I was always handed the camera, and I would be the family’s official photographer. There was no event or gathering I was not taking pictures. I just loved looking back at them and remembering how my family and friends looked and felt on every occasion.
As a Graphic Design student, I was introduced to stock photography and noticed how important an image is beyond just memories. A picture tells a story, and it freezes time, it is also an essential part of the design process. As a design student, I decided to take a photography class to understand the process better. I fell in love with photography, and here I am today, capturing moments that will last a lifetime and telling stories to generations to come.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been easy, there has been doubts, discouragement, and anxiety but also persistence. I believe the reason I am who I am today is that I can be a little stubborn, persistence has been key in the process. There have been mistakes and with them huge lessons. I was blessed to have a few experienced photographers and professionals tell me to make as many mistakes as possible when starting to learn from them and move forward.
I have a wonderful family who pushes me to do my best, as well as a group of friends who are my best and most honest critics and I am blessed to have them all in my life.
I would encourage young women to be persistent, to not be discouraged by a mistake and to learn from them. I know that it is easy to say do not let your circumstances take be best out of you, it is hard! But circumstances are also lessons that will make us stronger. So, get back up, again and again, and however many times it takes.
All those cliches can be true we are the only ones stopping us from accomplishing our goals.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a Photographer, I love photographing memorable events, milestones, and just moments. If I could choose to specialize in one type of photography, that would be Newborn photography, but I love family portraits as well. I enjoy photographing concerts to feel the music so close, and to capture the emotions and energy the musicians and singers put into it, it’s pretty amazing.
I believe that It is because of my background in design that I bring to photography a unique artistic touch and discipline.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I want to say that the first networking experience I had (and I did not really think of it that way at first) was my friends and family. Then, meeting and hanging out with professionals that do the same thing you are aspiring to be. I loved talking to my professors and I befriended some of them, then I attended local events such as fashion shows and pageants where I took pictures and meet other photographers that would then become my mentors and even some of the best friends you will ever have.
Join networking groups and meetups that interest you, it does not matter what your level of experience is.
Pricing:
- Starting at $300 Newborn Photography
- Starting at $89 Professional Headshots
- Starting at $600 Event photography
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dianaalvarezphotography.com/
- Phone: 6198522196
- Email: dagraphicdesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daphotographysd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DAPhotographySD/
Image Credit:
Diana Alvarez Photography
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