Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Letona.
Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since I can remember, I have always loved to be creative. First, it was with music, then writing, painting and then photography. What started out as a hobby of expressive creativity sparked into a small but growing business.
My background in Advertising and Marketing has been a great benefit when it comes to handling the back end of the business. I created my marketing materials, including my logo, and built my website on my own. I have been hands-on with my photography since the get-go which has let me focus on my weakness and strengths when it comes to my content. I have built my business organically with word of mouth and have slowly been adding paid media.
I don’t always use a model and some of my best work (in my opinion) is done with the simplicity of mother nature’s beauty. However, when I am working with a model, I not only focus on their beauty but try to emulate their uniqueness to the theme, color, or scenery in the photo.
I like to believe I capture more than an image. My goal when you look at my photos is for you to feel something from it. That is the beauty in art, whichever medium it may be.
I love being inspired by new ideas and enjoy collaborating with other artists. I especially like when I have a certain theme or idea in mind and see it come to life in a photo. That’s the beauty in photography, capturing a moment in time and have it be more than a point and shoot.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been a smooth road. I moved to Seattle a couple of years ago and since I grew my business in San Diego three years prior to me moving, it has been difficult to have to rebuild in a new city.
There are days I doubt myself and we are always our own worst critics. Sometimes I can go months without producing content and don’t feel inspired to shoot. Also, working full time can make it difficult to make time to produce.
However, I remind myself of all the hard work I have put into my photography. What springs me off sleep mode is when I see the positive feedback on my work. I have had the grand opportunity in displaying my work twice in Seattle. My first display was through RAW Artists and for a few months at a local Seattle Coffee shop. These are the little things that keep me going; that, and my passion for creativity.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lizett Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is photography, but I like to think of myself as a creative. Sure, I do your typical portraits and nature shots but what I most enjoy is being creative with my photos.
I’m not too sure what I am known for (yet) but the feedback that I have received from my clients is they like the fact that I’m very flexible.
One of my best accomplishments is seeing how my photography has grown in comparison to when I first started shooting. If you take a look at my earlier work, I was still trying to find my niche and just capturing anything I thought looked acceptable. Now, I only like to post something when I find it has reached (my) par of excellence.
What I feel makes me stand out is that I am more than a photographer, I am a creative. I have passion for it, and if I’m not inspired I feel I don’t produce well. I am also Latina, something I am extremely prideful of, and when I can, I like my Latin roots being expressed in my work.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe in good luck or bad luck. I believe if you put in the work and effort into something you will see results. Life comes at us in so many different ways and sometimes requires us to step away. And if you’re very passionate about something, you will always come back to it.
Pricing:
- Photo Package 1: $150 – includes a hour of shooting, selection of 10 digital photos with basic edits and touch ups
- Photo Package 2: $250 – includes a hour and a half shoot, selection of 20 digital photos with basic edits and touch ups
- Package 3: $350 – includes a three hour shoot, selection of 30 digital photos with basic edits and touch ups
- Extras: Each additional hour is $50 and prints start at $2
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lizettphotography.com/
- Phone: 858-859-2570
- Email: natalie.letona@lizettphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizettphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizettphotography/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lizettphotography/
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