Meet Alaina Ronquillo | Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Alaina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, my thought process was that I wasn’t satisfied with a service I received. And I knew that I can set up a better business model and service. My wedding photography business was started from my own wedding experience! And from there, all of my dreams and ideas started pouring in!

I was so passionate about offering clients a better experience than I had. And I never wanted a bride to be disappointed by the wedding photos they would receive back. My business is all about creating timeless images that would last for generations to come!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I love that I have the perspective of being a bride first before I was ever a wedding photographer. I knew what I wish I had or hoped for which drove my passion in my own business. I think that’s the first thing that sets me apart!

At a young age, I’ve always been interested in the arts and have always had an eye for capturing moments, As much as my job revolves around capturing some posed portrait moments. I am also dedicated to sitting back and waiting for those candid moments to unfold in front of my camera.

I wouldn’t say my professional career was quick and easy. Moving to a new state was hard. It was hard building a business (especially one that thrives off of word or mouth recommendations) and not knowing a single person!

I think the best thing I did was setting up multiple “styled shoots.” In the wedding industry, a styled shoot is a “staged” wedding scene that showcases your work, style and design. I think putting together and photographing a few styled shoots helped others in the industry and potential clients to see what “my style” is all about. It helped shape what Alaina Ronquillo Photography is all about!

I learned that if I keep showing what my style and brand is all about, I will soon attract the couple who also values what I do and capture.

The day I photographed my first wedding, I have never photographed a wedding prior! Nothing is impossible! I thank God, my husband, friends and family for where I am today. I never want to stop learning or growing as a photographer and I’m excited for what’s to come in the next few years!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this! Because I love my city of Raleigh, North Carolina.

I would start the day at Jubala for some breakfast and coffee. I love their vanilla lates. And I especially love their bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwiches. Yum!

Then I might take a stroll down to North Hills which is an outdoor mall filled with boutiques and restaurants. Window shopping is my favorite.

If it’s not too hot, I love setting up a little picnic area at The North Carolina Museum of Art.

And I might end the night walking through downtown Raleigh. Take a stroll through City Market at my favorite Italian restaurant, Vic’s Italian Ristorante. Can’t forget about gelato at Amorino. Then I would walk it off by walking to the Capitol building and enjoy the view of Fayetville Street.

There is so much more to do and see, but I would be pretty content with this day!

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?
Yes! I have so many people to thank for my journey in wedding photography! I started my business after moving to the state of North Carolina. I did not know a single person, but I jumped right in! I reached out to a local wedding photographer ( Amber of Six Foot Photography ) to see if she would be interested in re-doing my husband and I’s wedding photos on our one year wedding anniversary. After meeting Amber and sharing my interest in photography and weddings, she kind of took me under her wing. She brought me alongside some of her weddings and introduced me to some of her photography friends. Amber definitely made me feel included and I will always remember that! From there, I joined many local Facebook photography groups and set up a lot of coffee dates with other photographers I wanted to meet and learn from. I also have to mention the love and support I received from my husband who kept pushing me to follow my dreams!

Website: https://alainaronquillo.com/

Instagram: @alainaronquillophoto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlainaRonquilloPhotography