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

Hi Allison, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind creating and opening The Aesthetic Co started with a passion for visual arts. Since high school I have been taking photos, creating content, and obsessed with movies, photoshoots, modeling, fashion, and film photography. It was a hobby of mine, I would capture my life with disposable cameras, my old Nikon DSLR, and an instant camera. When family members of mine started opening businesses and creating content I was the go-to for content assistance. I was also very good at teaching people how to take aesthetically pleasing photo’s and creating aesthetically pleasing content. I knew I could make a business out of visual art because I saw the need that individuals and businesses had for aesthetic visual art. I was already doing it behind the scenes, all I needed to do was put myself out there. Starting your own business is scary, it’s kind of sink or swim and there’s no guide book on how to do it. It’s really a leap of faith, and I finally jumped for it.

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 a photographer, videographer, content creator and The Aesthetic Co is a visual arts company that currently specializes in photography. I started my business at the end of 2021, capturing holiday portraits for families. I am now a wedding, business branding, and portrait photographer, videographer and social media content creator. Its not always easy running a household, raising my toddler, and growing my business but I love doing it all by myself. I work very hard and dedicate a majority of my free time to my art, I think that is what sets me apart, I believe people can see the passion behind what I do. I am extremely hungry for success. There is no end goal for me, I want to never stop growing and achieving. I also hope to be able to provide information and education to other business owners, creators, and artists who are working towards their own dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Theres so many cute spots in Dallas-Fort Worth, so I definitely would grab my camera and take my friend for lots of food and drinks and photo ops. Theres some cute restaurants in the Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts district for food and drinks. I would put a downtown stroll on the itinerary, for photos of course! Visiting the Dallas Museum of Art and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth are a must for some cute Instagram posts. Gotta see a Stars, Rangers, or Cowboys game while you’re here too! Also take a bike ride on the trails at White Rock lake, and have a picnic there to get some Vitamin D. Honestly there’s so much to do!

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?
Well first and foremost, my mom is the person who pushed me to open my business. She sat with me and we came up with the ideas for my first photoshoots and she still gives me great business ideas. My mom has been in education for over 25 years, she has her masters degree and she also raised me and my 3 siblings by herself. She taught us so many things, but most importantly my mom pushed us to work hard, be ambitious, and persevere. I have a great mom in my corner, so huge shoutout to Raquel.

I also want to recognize my sisters, Vanessa Cantu of Micro Beauty Bar and Jennifer Cantu, RN of Bella MedSpa who push me constantly to improve my business, give me the best advice, encourage me, and always always always, recommend my photography business to everyone they know and meet.

I wouldn’t be where I am without these 3 amazing women.

Website: https://www.theaesthetic-co.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaesthetic.llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaesthetic.llc

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.