Today we’d like to introduce you to Alondra Sotomayor.
Hi Alondra , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Virginia in 2013 from Puerto Rico, and in 2015 I met my husband. Together, we started our photography and video business, Alondra Photography. In the beginning, we focused mainly on providing services for social events such as weddings, quinceañeras, and other special occasions. We also offered outdoor photo sessions.
Later on, we came up with the idea of offering Christmas sessions, but we didn’t have a space where we could set up a holiday-themed set. We started looking for places to rent, but everything was very expensive. At that time, we were just getting started and didn’t have the capital to rent a large space for our Christmas sessions.
During our intense search, we found a small location that only needed a few minor changes to make it work. We did everything necessary to create the Christmas set, and we were ready. We created a promotional video and launched what would become our very first Christmas sessions. From that moment on, more and more people began to discover our work, and the business started to grow.
I became the visible face of the business, while my husband focused on the digital marketing side. We stayed in that location for approximately two years. During the week, we held photo sessions, and on the weekends, we photographed weddings and quinceañeras.
Eventually, we had the opportunity to find a larger space for our studio, so we moved to the location where we are currently based. In 2020, we made the decision to step away from social events and focus exclusively on photo sessions, including cake smash, maternity, newborn, and family sessions.
At the same time, we also launched an audiovisual production company, where we currently produce promotional videos, social media content, podcasts, and digital marketing services.
Today, Alondra has a podcast called Entre Fotos y Café is a heartfelt podcast where we share real stories, meaningful conversations, and inspiring experiences with women, mothers, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Through honest and warm conversations, each episode creates a space to connect, reflect, laugh, and learn from the journeys of others.
Hosted in a cozy and authentic style, Entre Fotos y Café celebrates life, motherhood, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and the beauty of creating memories—one conversation at a time.
From 2015 to today, we have worked day by day to give our clients the best memories possible. It has been an adventure filled with ups and downs, but it is one that we have learned to truly enjoy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been an easy road. We have faced several challenges along the way. In the beginning, our biggest struggle was financial. We were just starting out and had recently arrived in the country, so we didn’t have much experience or understanding of how things worked here.
Another challenge early on was that we didn’t have a proper space to hold photo sessions, and we were working with very basic equipment. Little by little, we began improving our gear and gaining more experience, but there was always the uncertainty of whether we would make enough money by the end of the month.
Over time, we slowly became more stable. Then, in 2019, we became parents, and that forced us to gradually reconfigure our lives. Things became a bit more challenging because our energy was not the same, and our time became more limited.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in newborn photography, maternity sessions, birthday sessions for both babies and adults, and family portraits. I am known for creating meaningful memories through photography.
One of the things I am most proud of is how much I have grown as a photographer over time. The photography I created 11 years ago is not the same photography I create today. I have worked very hard to continue improving my craft, my service, and the overall experience I provide to my clients, while also learning from each of them along the way.
What sets me apart from others is my photography style, the level of customer service we offer, and the fact that we have a professional photography studio where we are able to provide our services in a comfortable and dedicated space.
What’s next?
My plan for the future is to continue growing professionally and expanding our business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alondraphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alondraphotography_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographyalondra
