Your Name: Leslie Carbajal
Business Name: Leslie Carbajal Photography
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Family? Pets? Hobbies? Etc.
I’m Leslie, and I’m originally from Long Island, New York. I was born in Cali, Colombia but I have been in the US since I was 5 years old. I’m an only child, and my mom was a single mom. I have a beautiful rainbow baby who is a little over a year. I’m married to my middle school sweetheart who serves in the Army. We have fur babies, Wall-E and Lexie.
Tell us about your Photography business. How did you start and why? What do you specialize in? Would you go back and do anything differently?
I started my photography business in early 2018. I started because I wanted to be able to capture all of my son’s special moments. I specialize in Family Photography, and I love it. If I could go back and do something differently it would be to value my time some more.
Has it been a smooth road? Have you encountered struggles that you could share?
I don’t think anyone’s journey is really smooth? Goals are met when you put in hard work. I’m always struggling to be honest. I tend to mask it well, but I think all photographers struggle. I’m the worst critic, and I always doubt myself. I felt lost at one point, and didn’t know that it’s okay to love working with one thing more than other.
What do enjoy the most about what you do? What do you enjoy the least?
I enjoy capturing the families’ personalities through images. I love hearing feedback on how they loved the details of the images. That the images gave them feelings. I strive to get emotions out of my portrait sessions.
What inspires you?
My son, and my mother really inspire me. My son inspires to capture how fast children grow up. But oh my gosh so many photographers inspire me. To name a few it would be Sarah Cornish, Stormy Solis, Twyla Jones, and Jodi Lynn for sure.
What is your farewell piece of advice for someone interested in taking the first steps toward entering into your field?
I think the best, and biggest advice would be get legal. Before you even think of being in business make sure you’re legal. Don’t steal anyone’s pictures even if it’s to post an example. Try those on your own, and if it doesn’t work the first time keep trying. Practice and be your own boss. Give yourself creative freedom. The beauty of photography is you create the art how your naked eye views it.
What is your favorite Candy Bar?
Umm… I love white chocolate. As far as a “bar” it would be the Hershey’s cookies & milk.
What is your favorite Childhood Memory?
It would be how much time I actually spent outdoors. I remember playing hide-and-go-seek with my friends. We would all gather things from our home and have community picnics.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be?
The rainbow.
Leslie Carbajal Photography – Website / Facebook / Instagram
