Today we’d like to introduce you to Stevie Cruz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a passionate dreamer, driven to succeed. I grew up in Southern California and recall the entrepreneur spirt of so many around me. Back in middle school, I use to walk to the local Rite Aid with friends to purchase a disposable camera only to rush back to the store hours later to have the film developed. It’s those special memories that a picture can spark, a time and a moment that is gone but not forgotten.
I opened my business roughly 5 years ago and I have never looked back. For the first year in business, I traveled to client’s homes to capture their newborn babies. Year two in business, I realized that I wanted a more consistent result so I decided to transform my home living room to a shooting space. Almost 9 months into this change came an opportunity for me to rent studio space from a local photographer. I was scared and anxious about taking on the opportunity. The shared studio space worked well and was a good stepping stone to the retail studio vision. I quickly realized that my clientele base was growing larger and I was needing more flexibility in my shooting schedule so 6 months into sharing the studio came the opportunity for my own space where I still am today.
Newborn photography is my specialty; however, I photograph budding bellies (maternity), babies & families. I can honestly say that I love newborn babies. Every little delicate feature of their faces is beautiful and unique. Preserving these details in print makes my heart happy. I try at every turn to create a memorable experience for clients, beginning with prompt email responses and ending with the delivery of beautiful keepsake prints, albums, canvases and more.
Over the past few years, I have been sought after by several photographers across the country wishing to learn under my skillful eye. It is an honor and privilege to mentor these aspiring photographers alongside my colleague and friend Meagan Ready. My professional training ensures that clients will have the most beautiful images and that other photographers will have the skill to create images much the same. Blossom Workshop allows me to share my passion for photography and teaching all in one place.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not always been easy. As may entrepreneurs can relate the constant juggle of life balance is challenging. It’s the fear of failing or the chance of missing that potential client if you “don’t respond quick enough”.
I am constantly improving by learning from every experience both good and bad. I believe strongly that it is important to be a consumer so one knows how to treat their own customers. Several times each year, I hire a photographer for my family to experience the opposite side of the photography business.
I am committed to outstanding customer service. This commitment on occasion pushed me to challenge myself and think of the stores that I wish to emulate in my business policies. My background as a corporate event planner (I worked for 11 years prior to photography) taught me so much about customer service. It is a top priority in my business and clients will see this and vouch for my words.
Other challenges have included the intricacies of “wearing all the hats” one has to wear as an entrepreneur – the CEO, CFO, Accountant, Marketing Team, Website Designer etc. Being involved with online communities of entrepreneurs has guided me through challenging obstacles throughout the years.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
To date I have photographed 494 newborns, 39 sets of multiples and mentored 116 other aspiring newborn photographers. Newborn photography is my specialty; however, I photograph budding bellies (maternity), toddlers & families -My family work can be seen —www.SCPFamily.com.
Collaborating with other businesses is a large part of my business plan. I work with several local and nationwide brands such as Pottery Barn Kids, Baby Gap, Babies R Us, Girl Scouts of America, Luna Ultrasound, A Baby Visit, Anaheim Moms Blog, SureFire CPR and several others.
As part of our workshop (www.BlossomWorkshop.com) we teach other photographers about this business plan as many often ask how I started working with these brands and what benefit it is to my business. Additionally, Blossom Workshops has allowed me to travel to states I have never traveled, it’s a fun journey meeting other aspiring photographers and making new friends along the way. I am co-owner of Blossom Workshops along with Meagan Ready Photography (www.MeaganReady.com). We are entering our 2nd year traveling to teach other photographers as part of the 2-day newborn posing workshop. This year we are traveling to New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Florida, Nashville, Texas and Arizona. We also offer an online business workshop, with monthly webinars and informative interactive group setting to help aspiring photographers meet their business goals.
And of course, I am a social media fan, I love it and live by it. Who doesn’t love Instagram, Facebook and Twitter?
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Southern California is filled with entrepreneurs like myself. I encourage all those I run into to follow their passions- Do what they love, Make their day about their job and passion all in one. When you love what you do, you no longer see it as ‘work’. It is my belief that anyone can succeed if they are driven and stubborn like myself. I won’t allow myself to fail and I won’t let anyone crush my passion.
Pricing:
- Newborn Session fee $200
- Family Session fee $150
Contact Info:
- Address: 5642 E La Palma Ave., Ste 206,
Anaheim, CA 92807 - Website: www.steviecruzphotography.com
- Phone: 714 653 2357
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviecruzphotography/ and https://www.instagram.com/steviecruzphotographyfamily/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevieCruzPhotographyStudio/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/steviepcruz
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stevie-cruz-photography-yorba-linda
- Other: https://plus.google.com/+Steviecruzphotography
http://scpfamily.com
Image Credit:
Stevie Cruz Photography
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