How Portrait Design by Esmeralda Turned a College Tour into a Career

01What does your business do, in your own words?

I'm a professional portrait photographer specializing in headshots, personal branding, and family portraits. But to me, it's about more than taking a picture.

I help people tell their stories through photographs, whether that's showing up professionally in their business or preserving their family and the people they love for future generations.

02How did you get started? Give us the origin story.

I never actually planned on becoming a photographer. I was on my way to studying drafting with the goal of becoming an architect. While I was in college, I toured the photography department and something just clicked. The next semester, I applied to the program, and that changed the direction of my life.

I earned my degree in photography and immediately started working with a local photographer in Austin for eight years. Eventually, I took a break from photography to raise my family. Once my youngest started school, I knew I wanted to pursue photography again. I officially started my business in 2022, and here I am!

03What's the hardest part of running this business that nobody sees?

Being a solopreneur.

People see the finished photographs, but they don't always see everything that happens behind them. I'm the photographer, scheduler, marketer, editor, bookkeeper, customer service department, social media manager, and sometimes the person moving furniture around the studio.

It's rewarding, but it can also be a lot to carry by yourself. There's always something that needs to be done, and there are only so many hours in the day.

04What do you wish more people knew about your industry?

The photo-taking is only part of the job. There's planning, consultation, wardrobe guidance, location or studio preparation, lighting, posing, photographing, culling, editing, retouching, ordering, and product delivery.

Good lighting isn't an accident. A professional photographer is making decisions about light, shadows, angles, posing, and composition before you ever see the final image.

You don't have to know how to pose. That's literally part of my job. You shouldn't have to show up knowing what to do with your hands.

05What early mistake taught you the most?

Not networking sooner.

I learned pretty quickly that you can't just open a business and expect people to magically find you. You need connections within your community.

Networking has completely changed my perspective on running a business as a solopreneur. It's vital, especially when you're starting out. The more people you meet, the more consistently you show up, and the more genuine relationships you build, the more people get to know, like, and trust you, and ultimately trust your business and what you offer.

06Why here? What made you choose this area?

Leander is where I live, work, and play. I want to be involved as much as I can within my own community. I have learned to love this community as I got involved with my kids' schools, volunteering for the community, and the Chamber of Commerce.

07Favorite local restaurant that isn't yours?

I don't care to eat out much, but when I do get the chance to enjoy a good meal or a good cup of coffee, I have a few favorites!

Nick's Breakfast, PB Cafe, and Conejos are some of my go-tos. And I recently discovered that I LOVE Paris Baguette coffee! Summer Moon comes in second.