Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Esparza.
Erik, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a camera in my hand. Back in the day, I used to go to Eckerd’s drug store to drop off my film and come back a few days later to pick up my prints. What a joy that was! One of my greatest experiences as a youth with photography were my early high school days. I call these the days of Tri-x, when I learned how to develop my own B+W film. It’s definitely one of my favorite experiences in the early days.
Once I graduated from the Northwood University School of Business in West Palm Beach, I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and started my own interior design company. It was here I had the pleasure of being mentored by an incredible artist who introduced me to the importance of composition, color and comprehensive design. I didn’t know it at the time, but this experience marked the beginning of my journey as an artist. I began learning more about photography and lightning in order to catalog all of my projects for my portfolio.
After about three years I made the choice to say goodbye to the world of interior design. Even though I enjoyed what I did, I still remember the day when I thought, “I have to do this for the rest of my life.” The passion was not there, and without passion, there is no happiness. So I decided to move to Miami in search of my passion.
About a year into a permanent Spring Break filled with waiting tables, my passion was revealed to me. My manager at the time, Stefanie, asked me where I had gotten the photos on the walls around my place. I told her they were mine, and she was taken aback. She asked me if I ever thought about pursuing photography as a career, instead of just a hobby.
It wasn’t long after that I photographed my first wedding. There’s something very special about being a wedding photographer; I thrive on the swift pace of the day and the pressure of only having one opportunity to get photos right. There are no re-dos!
I was finally able to express my love for design, color and composition in a way that not only gave me joy but also retells a story that clients can revisit for a lifetime. Ten years later, my former manager Stefanie is now my wife, and we have three beautiful kids and a thriving photography & design business.
Photography isn’t just a passion… it’s a reason to get out of bed each day and touch the hearts of many!
It has been a fabulous journey working with couples from around the world, telling their stories. I looking forward to each session and being able to document a once in a lifetime story.
Great, 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?
Being a full-time photographer was no easy feat. It most definitely had its many obstacles and challenges. Especially when you live in a town where everyone who is everyone with a DSLR camera considers themselves a professional picture taker. I too had to overcome this hurdle with much criticism and thoughts of throwing in the towel.
However, through perseverance, knowledge of SEO, continuous development of client relationships and personal style. Each challenge simply became a lesson and an opportunity for growth in a competitive and saturated industry. Today I welcome challenges and with open arms.
Ezekiel e. Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ezekiel e. is a photography company that specializes in the creation of meaningful relationships with its clients before a photo is ever taken. For us the idea behind relationship building is the foundation to fabulous imagery. We want our images to have a pulse that speaks directly to their personalities, theme, surroundings and most importantly the close friends and family they invite to their event. We are most known for marrying documentary and lifestyle techniques to create what we call “Artistic Photojournalism” that tells an artistic non-intrusive story that lives timelessly for years to come. We feel this sets of apart from the pack.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was the first time we were flown out for a destination wedding. The location was a 42-acre sculpture park and museum located in Hamilton, NJ, called Grounds For Sculpture. This was over 3 years ago and since then we travel a few times a year to amazing locations.
Pricing:
- THE ESSENTIAL: $2,550 6 hours coverage | Over 500 Professionally processed images on copyright-free USB | Online gallery & Digital Downloads Color set of images | Black & White set of images
- THE KEEPSAKE: $2,950 7 hours coverage | Over 600 Professionally processed images on copyright-free USB Online | gallery & Digital Downloads | Color set of images | Black & White set of images | Full editing and color correction
- THE HEIRLOOM: $3,400 8 hours coverage | Over 700 Professionally processed images on copyright-free USB | Online gallery & Digital Downloads | Color set of images | Black & White set of images | Full editing and color correction | 50 Page 10X10 Album
- QUATRO $4,850 10 hours full day coverage | Over 800 Professionally processed images on | copyright-free USB | Online gallery & Digital Downloads | Color set of images | Black & White set of images Full editing and color correction
- THE PLATINUM $6,450 10 hours full day coverage | Complementary 2nd Photographer | Over 800 Professionally processed images on copyright-free USB | online gallery | Color set of images | Black & White set of images Full editing and color correction | 50 Page 12X12 Album (2) 50 Page 8X8 Parent Albums
Contact Info:
- Address: 7285 SW. 90th St. Apt #D-610
- Website: https://ezekielephotography.com
- Phone: 7863570520
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/miami_weddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezekielephotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ezekiel_e
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ezekiel-e-photography-wedding-photographers-miami-2
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/ezekiel-e-photography-miami/fed97ac52872ef73.html
Image Credit:
Ezekiel e. Photography
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