Today we’d like to introduce you to Eduardo Ponce.
Eduardo, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The first time I was introduced to a camera was back when I was a child and I’d grab my mom’s point and shoot film camera (against her permission) I would take pictures of our home at the time and thought it was so cool to see the photo developed and printed at the local Target (when they did still work with film). I didn’t think much about a camera back then but who would’ve guessed that was the beginning of something special.
Fast forward to high school, I had terrible grades throughout high school and one day I thought to myself… I need to get a hobby to distract myself from my anxiety and lack of social interaction with people. I remembered I liked cameras and figured I’d save some money up to get one and after a year I got one in my sophomore year. I spent so much time learning about my camera that my grades suffered, I would go out for hours with my friends and photograph them on their BMX bikes and just random photo shoots with anyone that would get in front of my lens. Eventually started getting small time gigs for clothing and stuff…. then started going to punk/metal shows with my friends and found out eventually that I could go these shows for free if I shot the bands.
Throughout the remainder of my high school years, I was photographing bands almost every night. On average, I’d shoot 4-5 times a week at a local Venue – Chain Reaction and the Observatory just down the street from my home. I built connections with local promoters, the bands managers, and the bands themselves and eventually got to tour alongside one of my friends’ band SECRETS. Traveled across the country photographing them and others for about 3 years. Abruptly had to stop due to family issues but I have been photographing weddings, portraits, modeling portfolios and such since. I now have a tiny studio space in Downtown Santa Ana in which I do a lot of personal work as well as small product or one on one shoots. I love every aspect of my job since it has allowed me interact and get to know people that I otherwise probably never would’ve met.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The term “Starving Artist” comes to mind as cliché as it sounds but it holds true.
I don’t come from a wealthy family by any means, I am born from an immigrant single mother who’s had to struggle even more so to provide for me growing up. I haven’t been able to rely too much any monetary support even if I wanted to or had to, it just hasn’t been there. My mother has given me what I need to survive and I’m eternally grateful for all of it.
I’ve learned to budget almost every aspect of my life; the life of an entrepreneur or artist can be a tough one without much financial or emotional support but you have to keep on going if you’re really passionate about something. There’s been times when I’ve skipped meals or have thought about giving it up in the past because it got hard financially but I always look back at some of my favorite memories I’ve captured with a camera and those thoughts immediately went away. I’ve built a strong support system with my few close friends that know my background and support what I do no matter what. I’m grateful for that.
Please tell us about E.P. Photography.
I run a photography business & I specialize in portraiture & documentary work.
For the longest time people knew me for photographing concerts and documentary but the past couple years I’ve been focusing on portraiture and wedding documentary photography, a lot of people tend to know me for my black and white images that I love to post on my social media platforms but when they actually see the rest of my color work, they’re surprised.
I’d have to say that the thing I’m most proud of is the fact that I’ve held it together mostly by myself and I still have the drive to keep my business going no matter how hard sometimes business gets. With little financial support backing me from the start, I’ve grown my little business to be able to provide for my food, my health, pay bills, have a roof over my head and still be able to support my mom with her expenditures… that and well the fact that a poor 23-year-old man has seen/experienced some things that some only dream of.
I think the sheer drive to keep on going no matter the situation is, is what has set me apart from some of my peers. I have a lot less than some of them yet I’ve still done more relatively.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory(s) would have to of been when me & my mom would go to the beach each week and just enjoy being with each other, it’s been sometime since we do that as I’ve aged and life interferes.
I think I’ll always have a special moment in my heart for all the simple little moments that can make any day special. I try to cherish those more than anything.
Pricing:
- Wedding Packages start at a $2000 minimum
- Portrait Sessions/Engagement Sessions start at a $150 minimum
Contact Info:
- Address: 204 E. 4th St. Santa Ana, CA 92701
- Website: www.eduardoponcephotography.com
- Phone: 714 884 5207
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: eduardoponcee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E.P.Photographs/
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