Meet Evelyn R. Avila of Eve Rox Photography in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn R. Avila.

Evelyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a wedding and elopement photographer based in Long Beach, California. I go anywhere my camera and love takes me. I was born in New Jersey and raised in Los Angeles. I am the oldest of two. I am also a proud daughter to amazing Central American parents that taught me to always work hard for what I want in life. My father gave me my first film camera (110 Film) when I was 7 years old. I brought the camera with me on a class field trip to the botanical gardens and since I haven’t put my camera down. In high school, I took black and white photography classes and tried to learn as much as I could about developing my own film and prints. One of my best friends Reshtanie was always up to getting photographed so we did a lot of mini portrait sessions of her for almost all my projects, which was fun! I continued to pursue photography in College and graduated with a degree in Photography. I also attended FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) where I graduated with a degree in Fashion Design. I just knew I always wanted to pursue a creative career. I got into the wedding industry when a friend asked me to photograph her wedding about 10 years ago. It was small and intimate, which was perfect. I photographed the entire wedding with a 35mm film camera. From there I started booking side jobs including small weddings, quinceañeras, family portraits, and birthday parties. Let’s just say I did it all. I was known as the photographer in my family.

Then life got in the way and because I was new to the industry, I wasn’t making enough money to sustain my life. I then started working in international ocean freight transportation. I worked in that industry for 11 years but still pursued photography on the side. Then a few years ago I decided that I really wanted to put more of my energy into wedding photography and started placing ads on craigslist. From there I met awesome couples that hired me as their wedding photographer and that helped me make a huge turn in my life. I’ve photographed weddings before but for some reason this time around it felt different and amazing at the same time. My photography had evolved into a more romantic and journalistic style. Social Media is probably one of the biggest influences for that. I followed different photographers online and felt so inspired with their work. I realized at that point that I needed to get out of the freight industry and follow my dream to be a full-time creative. My wife Lourdes, had been pushing me for years to quit my job and to follow my passion. She has always been there by my side cheering me on. Also, one of my best friend’s, photographer Edith Hogan and I started to talk about ideas on how we can make this business work. We decided to be each other’s associate photographers in weddings and we haven’t stopped since. She is my partner in crime. We have documented amazing couples together for nearly 3 years now. We pour our hearts into every wedding and every couple that we meet and that is something that I have always wanted in a business partner.

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 don’t think a creative career is always easy. You’re constantly wanting to be inspired and moving along with trends. In my case, social media is a huge factor. I have had my ups and downs with social media, but mostly it’s ultimately been something that has always pushed me to strive to better my skills and put my best work out there. I’ve had days where I ask myself “what I am doing?” “What if people don’t like me? “Am I up to date with the wedding world?” “Do I have enough time to have a social life and time with my loved ones?” It’s always a learning process when you are running your own business especially when it’s a creative career. I am always learning new ways to effectively run my own business and generate new income. One of the most important things that I’ve learned is how to save money because the wedding industry is not always consistent and the income isn’t always steady. In my previous line of work, I was so used to getting a paycheck every 2 weeks and now it’s all about HUSTLING and BELIEVING in my work. I don’t give up easily. I try to stay as positive as possible and keep the good vibes flowing. I will always do my best to do what it takes to get my work and brand out so that I always have business coming in.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
By now, you know that I’m a wedding photographer. I own a wedding photography business in Long Beach, California and travel everywhere in the world to document love. I know that it may sound cheesy but photographing people’s love is so worth it! There is not one wedding that I don’t end up crying at. I’m a hopeless romantic. Every year my business grows and that it makes all of the hard work and long hours worth it. My photographic and editing style has evolved into something that I am very proud of. My entire family and all of my friends have told me that they have seen such a great change in me and my business. I don’t ever want to stop growing either. I specialize in love! I always tell my couples, “Let me into your intimate space but act as if I am not here with you”. I always want to build trust with my couples before I photograph them. I take the time and meet with them for a drink or coffee to get to know each other. That way I get to know them as a couple.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, Los Angeles and more specifically Long Beach is a great place to start a business. There is so much to do here. The city is evolving right before my eyes. There are new businesses opening up every month. That’s why Long Beach is #1 on my list.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.everoxphotography.com
• Email: jetaime9th@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everoxphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everoxphotography/

Image Credit:
All images © Eve Rox Photography

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