Meet Toni Velasquez | Owner/Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Velasquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own photography business was a dream of mine for years. I have always been passionate about capturing meaningful moments and telling stories through my camera lens. After working for several years in the industry, I realized that I wanted to have more control over my work and my schedule. I wanted the freedom to work on projects that truly spoke to me and to be able to make my own decisions about how I ran my business.

I also saw an opportunity to bring a unique perspective to the photography market in my area. I wanted to offer a personalized, high-quality experience for my clients, where I could really get to know them and their needs. By starting my own business, I could create a brand that reflected my values and my vision for what photography should be.

Of course, starting a business is never easy, and there were many challenges along the way. But I was committed to making it work, and I put in the time and effort to build a strong foundation for my business. Today, I am proud of what I have achieved and the relationships I have built with my clients. It is incredibly rewarding to do work that I love and to see the impact it has on people’s lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most proud of the fact that my photography brand is becoming a traveling company, with clients all over the country. It’s been exciting to see my business grow beyond Las Vegas, where I started, and to be able to capture special moments for people in different cities like Los Angeles, Boise, St. George, and Austin. I’m also proud that I’ve been able to expand my team by contracting photographers to work under me, allowing me to take on more clients and continue to grow the business.

Getting to where I am today professionally certainly wasn’t easy. As a small business owner, I faced my fair share of challenges, from learning how to market myself effectively to balancing multiple projects at once. But I believe that every obstacle presented an opportunity to learn and grow, and I overcame these challenges by staying focused, working hard, and never giving up. I learned the importance of being adaptable, persistent, and always striving for excellence in my work.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of building connections with clients. I think what sets me apart is the personal connection I build with each client, and the fact that they come back to me for repeat business and refer me to their friends and family. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of their lives in this way, and I strive to make every photography session a positive, memorable experience for them.

At the end of the day, I want the world to know that my brand is about more than just photography. It’s about capturing memories and telling stories in a unique and personal way. I believe in creating a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for my clients, and I’m dedicated to providing high-quality, professional services that they can trust. I’m passionate about what I do, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me in the future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the area, I would make sure to take them to all of my favorite spots in downtown Las Vegas. We would start the trip off by visiting some of the best coffee shops in the area, including Mothership, Vesta, and PublicUS. These spots offer unique and delicious coffee drinks, as well as a great atmosphere to relax and catch up with friends.

For lunch or dinner, I would recommend trying some of the best food in Las Vegas, such as Guerilla Pizza, Esther’s Kitchen, and Soho Sushi. These places have amazing food and are definitely worth checking out.

During the day, we could take a hike at Red Rock or spend some time lounging by the pools at various hotels on the strip. If my friend is a fan of sports, I would definitely take them to a Golden Knights game, as they are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL.

One of the highlights of living in Las Vegas is the nightlife, so I would make sure to take my friend out to some of the best dancing spots in the city. Some of my favorite places to dance include Oddfellows, We All Scream, and Commonwealth.

Overall, Las Vegas has so much to offer in terms of food, entertainment, and fun activities. I would make sure to show my friend all of the best spots and make their trip a memorable one.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my mom. She’s been my biggest cheerleader and constant source of encouragement, always pushing me to follow my dreams and do things my way. When I decided to start my own photography business, she was there every step of the way, offering advice and guidance and reminding me to believe in myself. Thanks to her unwavering support, I’ve been able to turn my passion into a successful business, and I feel incredibly grateful for her influence in my life. Mom, you’re amazing, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. I love you!

Also,I have been incredibly lucky to work with some amazing clients over the years, but there’s something truly special about those who come back to me time and time again for all their life events. To my repeat clients: you are the reason I love what I do.
Thank you for trusting me to capture some of the most important moments of your lives, from weddings and engagements to family portraits and everything in between. Your loyalty and support mean the world to me, and I’m honored to be a part of your lives in this way.
But beyond our professional relationship, I’m grateful for the friendships we’ve built along the way. It’s been an absolute joy to watch your families grow and to be a part of your milestones over the years. I look forward to capturing many more memories with you in the future.
To my repeat clients: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has allowed me to do what I love every day, and I’m truly grateful for that.

Website: https://tonipatriciaphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonipatriciaphotography/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ toni-velasquez-828340249

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/toni-patricia-photography-las-vegas

Image Credits
Toni Patricia Photography