Today we’d like to introduce you to Destanie Chavira
Destanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began when I was about 10 years old. I had gotten a phone (way too young) and started taking random pictures of nature and friends and uploading them to Instagram to a page with the username destanies_photography, which has since been deleted, but never forgotten. Anyways, I kept taking pictures and uploading them throughout middle school, but it wasn’t until I got to high school and started taking a photography class that I started to learn how to use a digital camera. So I threw away the Samsung Galaxy Avant and moved onto a Cannon, and I would check the camera out as much as I could and do photoshoots with friends after school. I’d say I really fell in love with portrait photography when I started taking a yearbook class my Junior year of high school. That’s when I made the account @9h070 and started uploading my favorite photos I would take.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say pursuing a photography career has been both extremely exciting and rewarding but also pretty challenging at times. Other than the many years of trial and error trying to find my own photography style, I’d say one of the main struggles I’ve had to overcome has just been the sheer self doubt I’ve had with my work. There have been so many times where I’ve questioned my abilities and wondered if I was truly skilled enough to pursue photography as a career. Especially over the past year as I’ve become more determined to share my work publicly online and work with more people other than close friends. I still get anxious before every photoshoot I do, and it isn’t until I start taking pictures that I truly feel confident with my work. I think what’s helped me overcome (somewhat) that eternalized self doubt has been my supportive family and friends and mentors who have encouraged me to continue taking pictures. As well as the realization that satisfaction will come with time. I am fairly new to the photography world and can’t wait to look back on my photos with new eyes and improved skills.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a portrait photographer specializing in capturing the beauty of people in creative ways with unique editing. I would say what sets my photography apart is my dedication to showing off people in the way they want to be portrayed. I think getting your picture taken can sometimes be a scary thing, so I love being able to connect with the subject and see what side of themselves they are trying to capture; being able to help them do so is such a rewarding experience. I would say the connection I build with people is what I am most proud of. Tying in the last question’s response, I used to not do photoshoots with people who I wasn’t already close friends with, but now one of my favorite parts about my job is meeting up with new people and getting to know them. More specifically, what part of themselves they are trying to show off during their shoot, and helping them do so. It took quite a bit of time and courage for me to finally be comfortable with sharing my skills with others, which is something I’m quite proud of myself for.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel the quality that is the most important to my success as a photographer is empathy. Being able to understand and connect with my clients on a personal level allows me to create images that truly reflect who they are. With prioritizing empathy, I can tailor my approach to each photoshoot, making sure they feel comfortable and confident all while producing unique photos. I also just love making new friends.
Pricing:
- I’m still in the process of finalizing my pricing structure. I want to offer rates the reflect the quality of my work. If you have questions or are wanting to book a photoshoot with me please DM me on my Instagram account @9h070 or email me at contact.9h070@gmail.com and we can figure out the price of your shoot from there! I would love to work with you!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9h070
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@destaniechavira
