Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Orona.
Hi Abby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was first introduced to photography in high school. I attended La Serna High School in Whittier and they had a Film and Media Academy that I was lucky to join. During my time there I learned film and digital photography as well as taking classes based on film production. Those classes had opened my eyes to what photography was and I instantly found a love and passion for it. I got my first camera my sophomore year and I just took it everywhere I went. From my backyard to Disneyland, I just wanted to capture different types of things and places with my camera. As I grew into my skill I wanted to take more photos of people so I started taking portraits of my friends during school and after school. I loved using nature and outdoors as the setting for most of my portraits.
By my senior year, I had my friends and acquaintances asking me to take their graduation photos and senior portraits. That’s when it really set in me that I was actually good at this and really loved it. Once I got into college, photography became a side hustle for extra money but that was where I really built my portfolio and experiences. I started doing headshots, maternity photos, family portraits, graduation photos, concerts, commercial photos, branded shoots and engagements. As I’m growing more I am finding a new passion and love for art direction and fashion photography as well which has been a goal of mine. I love talking photos of families and these special moments because it feels like I get to be a small part of something bigger. It’s an honor and privilege for me to be able to capture that love and happiness.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Right out of college I was set on doing photography full time but realized slowly that it isn’t an easy occupation to get into. I had a few office jobs and during those, I realized that I felt even more trapped being in a place where I couldn’t move around, have that schedule flexibly or utilize my creativity. My photography has been more part-time for me as I work at a coffee shop right now but luckily it gives me that flexibility to do more shoots and make my own schedule. My dream is to be doing my photography full time but right now I am still building a stronger clientele and hopefully by next year or later this year I can be able to be financially stable enough to do my shoots on a weekly basis.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mostly known for being an engagement and proposal photographer. I also capture a lot of families, home sessions, maternity and lifestyle photos. I am most proud of my engagement photos. I think it’s such a special space to share with these couples and make it feel as authentic and genuine as possible in order to get the best photos. I love being able to have conversations with them and learning about them and their love which is represented through these photographs. It’s just so special to me and I absolutely love it.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I also have an eye for art direction and styling which shows through my photos. I never try to create an environment that feels forced or fake. It’s my priority to make everything I do feel as real as I feel. I utilize the sunlight in a very intentional way too. It, in a way, directs me to capture different angles and point of views in my photos.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I definitely have dealt with rejection a lot. Out of college, you have this idea that whatever creative jobs you’re going to apply for are a shoe in and I was silly in thinking that right off the bat. I wanted to be a photographer or junior art producer for brands and so I applied to all these different types of jobs but was constantly rejected. It’s hard to keep your head up when you feel that the brands or companies you look up to are saying no to you and your art. But I believe rejection is definitely part of my process in my end goal creatively. Getting all these no’s had lead me to creating my own space and work independently which was meant to happen all along. I realized that doing contract work for brands and staying independent was something integrated to my growth and where I stand today. It pushed me to build my own portfolio and work on my own business as a photographer
Contact Info:
- Website: abbyorona.com
- Instagram: abbysuecreates
