Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilli Garcia.
Lilli, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Lillian is the name. I go by Lilli or Lillipop. I am a native San Diegan. I was born in Chula Vista. Growing up, I was always very into the arts. From singing in talent shows to drawing. If I was creating, I was happy. My mother was a self made interior designer. Ok so she wasn’t an interior designer but she would change the color of the walls like she would underwear. To this day she creates beautiful unique and inspiring spaces. My brother was a musician. We would listen to music and watch MTV. We were constantly looking for emerging artists together. And my father was a fierce businessman. He could sell ice to an Eskimo. They all influenced me and made me who I am now.
I was very involved in the Arts and Entertainment industry in my twenties (2000 to 2010). I helped produce my own online podcast/show called Hauteboxx San Diego where I would interview many local musicians, artists and actors. Photography and Graphic Design was a hobby back then. It helped with developing the brand for the show and promotional materials. I always felt that I was good at it and it was fun!
After many years in the industry, I decided to get a “real job”. A grown up job. I ended up as an Administrative Assistant to a UCSD Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Joel Baumgartner. Although my job was very rewarding, as I was able to help cancer patients with surgery scheduling and help them navigate through the medical system, I missed my creative side. One day I just said… I’ve had enough of the 9 to 5. I thought why not. Let’s do what I am still so passionate about but do it professionally for my self. I put in my notice and traded in my junior canon for a professional one!
It was all good until I realized that I needed to find clients! And wow there are so many talented photographers in San Diego. It is a beautiful thing. I’m a single mom to two amazing kids. I support myself by doing something that I love so much. I enjoy every photoshoot that I do. I am my boss. I make my hours. I take Sundays and Mondays off. Unless I get a gig that is lol. Then I just choose to work because when I am there in front of a couple exchanging their vows, or I am there with a newborn and two new parents or maybe just a family event, I feel so lucky that out of all those talented photographers out there, they chose me to share a special moment with them.
I would be lying if I told you it was easy to get to where I am. It was not. It was hard sometimes. There were a lot of moments of being unsure. Moments of almost throwing in the towel. Poor moments where I didn’t get a lot of clients. But I stuck it out and I still do.
Sometimes I think that I am a little crazy, I believe that humans should be free to live out their dreams daily. I believe that we should get our daily dose of nature and the sun. I don’t think we should just be numbers collecting a paycheck living in the cubicle. We are more than that! There is a lot of truth to the Starving Artist depiction, to a point. But we live in a beautiful time. The era of knowledge and through the internet so much is possible. Marketing and reaching clients with a click of a button! Low on money? Drive, shop for people, sell on apps. There are hundreds of ways to make mula nowadays. FREEDOM.
About six months ago I was catching up with an old friend and I remember he asked me so surprised… “Oh, so you’re a photographer now. People pay you to take their photos? ” Yes. that is correct!” I said as I sipped on my Mexican Mocha from the Por Vida coffee shop. It is directly across from my little studio in Barrio Logan. This little girl from the hood is going somewhere. Looking forward to 2020 and having an amazing year!
I would be lying if I told you that getting here was easy. It was not. It took a lot of sacrifices. It took a lot of balls and sometimes I still think I’m crazy and I question if I am doing the right thing. I am not rich but I can be there for my baby girl. I don’t miss out on her moments growing up. I am there for my teenager who needs me right now.
It was a little bit of a struggle at first. I started doing volunteer shoots, then discounted shoots to now where I get paid to take photos. I’m a pretty well rounded Photographer and Graphic Designer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Probably the biggest struggle was not having a lot of funds to start my business.
Tell us more about the business.
Lillipop Art is a Graphic Design and Photography company. At the moment I do a lot of promotional materials for small to medium size local businesses. I also do a lot of Portraits, Product Photography, Jewelry Photography and Concert Photography. I feel that what sets me apart from other Photographers is my genuine interest in making sure that my clients are completely satisfied with the results of their project or photos.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see myself coaching more, selling more fine art photography prints and creating an educational YouTube channel to help and motivate other junior artists. Also, I am getting more into video and I would like to learn to fly a drone.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2151 Logan Avenue, Suite i
San Diego, CA 92113 - Website: www.lillipopart.com
- Phone: 619-777-8750
- Email: lillipopart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lillipopart
Image Credit:
self portrait
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