Andrea Gallardo
I've been in photography for about 6 years, but I just opened up my own business, Live Aloha Photography, this past year. I started off as a stay-at-home mom and realized I have a niche for photography, so I decided to see where life takes me. What really sparked me off was when a childhood friend asked me to do her wedding. She found out she had ovarian cancer, and knowing that made doing her wedding so much more meaningful, to really make sure this is a special moment. In a very strange way, she really put me like, okay, you can do this. There's people out here that we can make happy, and I was like, alright, if I can do a wedding, I can do anything. I haven't stopped since. I do everything in photography, anything that's thrown at me, I'm willing to at least try. I do family photo shoots, real estate photography, weddings, kids, and pets. My main area of expertise is connecting with people. I do know that I have something that is unique, and I know that I do connect with people on a different, you know, spiritual level. I feel like that's where I can really capture the good things. Before photography, I was a preschool teacher and a veterinary technician, so it had nothing to do with photography other than, again, connecting with people. I love kids, I love being around them.
• High School Graduate
• Elementary School Yearbook Volunteer
• PTO Member
What do you attribute your success to?
At this moment, I would say my husband, because he's been my solid, firm foundation. He's done nothing but support me. Like I said, I'm a stay-at-home mom. You gotta have a husband that can provide more than financial support, you need a man who will support you spiritually. So having that support from him has been everything in allowing me to pursue my photography business and dream.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I took a course, and the guy was saying, I'm gonna teach you all these things about light composition, and I'm gonna teach you all the rules. Then he made sure we noted, your best photos are gonna come out of the ones where you break the rules. I have been following those words ever since, I just break rules. I don't follow them. That advice really stuck with me because it gave me permission to be creative and unique in my approach to photography.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be unique and try to find a way to stand out.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I don't want to say money, but it is kind of money, like, maybe knowing your worth. And realizing, you know, I'm not gonna just accept a low amount of money just because I don't think people maybe take my profession as serious as it could be. And so, finally realizing, wow, I am good at what I do, and there is value in it, and just simply upping my price, something so simple, where it's like, oh, people will pay for good things, you know what I mean? People pay for value, so I think that that has been an issue that I am still working on.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Connection to others and being open, honest, and transparent.
Locations
Live Aloha Photography LLC
Davie, FL
Davie Florida
Davie, FL