An Inspired Chat with Ariel Cannon

Ariel Cannon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day aren’t about work at all. I’m up early—usually around 6:00—packing lunches, checking for missing homework, and getting my youngest to the bus stop by 6:30. Once he’s off, I take the dog for a walk and then circle back to make sure my older one is out the door. By the time all that’s done, it’s about 7:30, and I’ve already been through the morning shuffle of kids, backpacks, and snacks.
Only then do I finally sit down for myself—coffee in hand, quick breakfast, and my laptop open. I start by clearing out my inbox. Anything that’s urgent gets handled right away, and anything that’s going to take more time goes straight onto my to-do list.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ariel Cannon, a newborn and family photographer based in Los Angeles. I specialize in creating natural, connection-focused images—no costumes or gimmicks, just the real bond between parents and their children. My work is about more than pretty pictures; I help families slow down in those whirlwind early days and walk away with heirlooms they’ll treasure for decades.
What makes my brand unique is the experience I offer. I know new parents are overwhelmed, so I’ve built my process to feel simple and supportive from start to finish—styling help, a curated wardrobe for moms, and guidance on everything from location to framing. The end result isn’t just digital files sitting on a hard drive, but albums and wall art that become part of a family’s daily life.
Right now, I’m especially excited about my “First Year Collective,” which documents a baby’s whole first year—from maternity through newborn, sitter, and one-year sessions. It’s such a special way to tell the full story of those fleeting first twelve months.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Ironically, the first person who really taught me about work was my dad—and I say “ironically” because he was very much the starving artist type. From him, I learned the value of building a life around what you love, and making sure there’s room for the other things that matter too.
At the same time, I also saw the flip side: he never had enough to support the life he wanted or give his kids what they needed. That made a big impression on me. So when I started my own career, I knew I wanted both—the artistry and the sustainability. From the beginning, my goal has been to create work I love while also building a business strong enough to support my family.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that it’s okay to fail—and it’s okay to be really bad at the thing you most want to do. With any creative path, you start out producing work you don’t love, and that’s part of the process. But when you’re in your twenties, fresh out of college and feeling like you’re supposed to be an instant success, that can feel terrifying.
That fear actually kept me from photography for a long time. Deep down, I knew it’s what I wanted, but I didn’t have the courage to risk being bad at it. Instead, I went into production—the industry is everywhere in LA, and it suited my organized, Type A side. I was good at it right away, and I didn’t have to face much failure. But I burned out quickly, because it just wasn’t where my heart was.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. At work, I mostly lead with my softer side, because I’m caring for clients in such vulnerable seasons—pregnant, freshly postpartum, or knee-deep in the chaos of little kids. I draw on my own experience as a mom to be empathetic and compassionate, and to create a space that feels really safe.
With my family and friends, though, I’m a little different—more sarcastic, with humor that definitely leans darker. And that’s fine. But my work isn’t really the place for that side of me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Oh gosh—first I’d probably freak out a little. But after that? I think – oddly – I’d stop worrying! There is nothing like a deadline to get you into gear and clarify what actually needs your time and attention. I’d strip life down to just the essentials: connecting with my family and friends, taking care of myself and the people I love. I’d probably rope my kids into doing absolutely everything with me (and drive them completely nuts in the process). Maybe I”d go to college with my daughter! She’d love that…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arielcannonphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielcannonphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ariel-cannon-photography-los-angeles

Image Credits
Ariel Cannon Photography