Meet Aileen Codesal of Aileen Aurora Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Codesal.

Aileen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
People have always been fascinating to me — all of the mannerisms, the history and soul that can be seen through the eyes and actions.

Couples, in particular, really pique my interest. I grew up on chick flicks and Jane Austen films (I’m looking at you, Sense and Sensibility) and so love stories are a part of my soul. When I was a kid, I remember watching couples in public and wishing I could be older so I could have a boyfriend. (I blame Leo in Titanic).

Originally, I wanted to be a writer because I’d make up stories in my head and write them in journals. But photography kind of snuck in there along the way.

I would do photoshoots with my cousin because she had a camera and we were complete dorks. But because of those photoshoots, I wanted a camera of my own badly. Then one Christmas in 2010, my desire was fulfilled. My parents bought me a Lumix point and shoot camera from Costco and I was over the moon. I shot anything and everything and wanted to take amazing pictures like the ones I would see on Photobucket (anyone remember that website?). At that time, I wasn’t doing shoots like I am now, but I would use my siblings and cousins as models and got practice there. Not my best work, but we all need to start somewhere. In college, I joined the film program and took a class called Visual Aesthetics.

That was the class that catapulted my desire to become a photographer fully. I learned how to frame shots, use the rule of thirds, and most importantly, how to tell a story through an image. It wasn’t about just shooting to shoot, but shooting with purpose. I had learned that earlier but didn’t fully comprehend it until this class. I then started doing portrait shoots with family and friends as favors and to build my portfolio.

Aileen Aurora Photography came to light in 2015 after my husband encouraged me to pursue photography full-time. I was elated and scared all at the same time, but we need to step out in faith if we are to pursue the calling on our lives. Here I am, two years later and I am thankful for everything I have learned thus far and look forward to what I’ve yet to learn as a photographer!

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?
I think for everything there are struggles that we need to overcome.

One of my biggest struggles is overcoming all of the anxious thoughts that daily invade my mind. When I first thought about pursuing photography fully, I remember being plagued by “what if’s” and fear of what people would think of me. Thoughts like “Oh, now SHE’S pursuing photography? Everyone’s a photographer nowadays.” and it terrified me. But I could not get photography out of my life. God has also blessed me with an amazing husband who daily speaks life into me and when I voiced these concerns, he told me to pray and silence those thoughts because this was my calling. For anyone reading this and is currently struggling with pursuing photography or anything creative, just remember: nobody else has the eye that you have, the voice, or the mind. Let it out, the world needs what’s inside of you.

Be a voice to the voiceless, the eyes to the blind. No matter how many struggles we have in our businesses, our plans, our callings, it’s only because what we have inside is so important. Keep going. It’s worth it.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Aileen Aurora Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My mission with Aileen Aurora Photography is to depict the beauty within a family, a couple, a child. I love capturing the dynamics that make up a family and the love you can see in a lover’s eyes when they look at their beloved. At the moment, I’m dabbling in weddings, special events, family portraits and engagements. I’m known for capturing candid moments that leave people saying “how in the world did you get that moment?”. I’m not opposed to posing because I know for some people it’s preferable, but I try my hardest to get the candid moments in between. So far, I am blessed to have been able to work with people who have loved their pictures and I am proud to be able to work alongside my husband, who is an amazing second shooter and partner!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
All I know is that when you are destined for something, you’ll feel that desire and push in your heart to pursue it. I don’t refer to it as luck, I refer to it as God-given and even when the whole world seems against you, you persevere because you know it’s for you.

Business-wise, you get what you put into it! I’ve had days where I didn’t feel like doing anything that would benefit my business but it suffered and I had to make a decision. I make the decision daily to keep going with photography and the same thing goes for life! Every single day, we make decisions that will either positively or negatively affect our futures. With that said, I’m excited to keep pursuing photography and seeing where it’ll lead!

Contact Info:

• Website: aileenaurora.com
• Email: aileen@aileenaurora.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aileencodesal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aileenauroraphotography
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aileen-aurora-photography-ontario

Image Credit:
Aileen Aurora Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.