Meet Ariel Burley | Photographer

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

Hi Ariel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first started photography, it was to take fun pictures of my own family, it was definitely just a hobby but then I took it further… I loved watching families behind the camera. I loved watching interactions and seeing the love for eachother in their eyes. Eventually I loved being a part of those memories so much, I decided that I wanted to do that full time. For a long time, about two and half years, I really took the time to learn my camera. I learned how to use photoshop and lightroom. I built my craft from the ground up. Once I felt like I really knew what I was doing, I started taking clients for free. At the time, I lived in San Diego and had beautiful beaches to practice at, which was awesome! When I moved back to texas, the thought of starting a business was absolutely daunting but it was now or never for me. I just knew I belonged behind the camera. So I pulled up my big girl britches and registered for an LLC, got my tax ID number, filed for my sales and use tax and dove in head first. I got my expenses together and created a pricing list. I also took some marketing and advertising classes to help me get a leg up on actually getting clients and keeping them.
Now, with my business being less than a year old, I still look for ways each and everyday to make myself stand out. I will never stop learning, never stop pushing myself to give my clients the ultimate experience. No matter how scary the process was, each step of the way I spent countless hours researching what was next. Starting your own photography business can seem like an intimidating endeavor, but with the right approach, you can be well on your way to success. Starting a photography business takes time, dedication, and research, but it can be an extremely creative and rewarding experience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a photographer, sometimes we are overlooked because there are so many amazing photographers in the area. It’s a really saturated market. I think something that really does set me apart is that I genuinely care about every person that steps behind my lens. I care so much about my clients and making sure that they love the photos I deliver to them. I’m a mother, so the way that I show my love is through “moments”. As a photographer, I offer more than just taking a few pictures. I’m dedicated to preserving treasured family memories and providing joy and positive experiences to families all over the community. My passion is to bring out the personalities in poses and candid moments, resulting in authentic and beautiful artwork that will be enjoyed for generations. Through photography, I’m able to capture moments that families can look back on and be reminded of the love and close bond they share. The most challenging part about being a photographer is proving your worth to not only others – but also yourself. As a photographer, it is not uncommon to feel the Imposter Syndrome creeping in. I used to feel that because I have not been taking pictures for very long, my photographs are not good enough or don’t meet a certain “standard” I believe that exists. The key is understanding that photography is a continual learning process, and that with the right resources and practice, you can take stunning photographs and visually communicate stories that matter to you. Every photographer, no matter what level of experience, has the ability to capture powerful images. Once I realized my value, that’s when things started taking off for me. I have since developed a sense of confidence in my art, allowing me to capture the moments that matter and make them memorable. As I interact with other photographers, I have gained a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of photography and improved my capabilities. With each shoot, I gain more knowledge, which helps propel me to take higher quality images. With every image I take, I am able to reflect, celebrate and share the stories of the people, objects, places and moments that I capture. I love what I do and I look forward to many many more years of it!

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?
I love Sundance Square, there’s always so many events going on and it’s amazing to have a coffee and check out what downtown Fort Worth has to offer. While you’re downtown, it’s not too far from the stockyards! The stockyards really do provide a unique experience, from shopping to yummy food like riscky’s BBQ! Another favorite if you have kids, is definitely the fort worth ZOO, even after living in Texas my whole life, we still love going to the zoo often to experience the awesome animals and even some of the attractions they have.
For smaller restaurants, we LOVE Chuys on boat club road as well as JRs diner off saginaw main!
There’s just so many awesome places to check out….Kimbell art museum, The Botanic Garden, The National History Museum…to name a few more!
Fort Worth, Texas is just an incredible place to visit. ( I am a little biased though!) From strolling along the Trinity River to a night out on the town, this city provides something for everyone. There is ENDLESS attractions, restaurants, parks and cultural activities that make it an exciting and rewarding destination for travelers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has always been my biggest supporters and I couldn’t have opened my own business without them. They believed in me before I even believed in myself and gave me the courage to take the leap of faith. Their unwavering support has meant the world during the uncertainties of launching a business, and they’ve been crucial to finding solutions during times of challenges. I understand that it was not only their love and faith in me that kept me going, but also the joy that comes with success. My family’s undying loyalty, commitment and belief in me are my biggest source of motivation. I cannot say enough how thankful I am for their constant encouragement and invaluable guidance I also wanted to give an extra special shout out to my husband…My husband has been my biggest supporter throughout this business venture. He has been my rock, constantly holding me up and never allowing me to give in to my fears or to let my self-doubt get in the way of my success. He has never wavered in believing in me and my potential and pushing me to follow my dreams. Without his support, I would never have been able to open my own business. He has been with me through every late-night edit session and every client meeting. He has seen the highs and lows and has been my cheerleader no matter what. I am so utterly thankful for his unwavering and invaluable support and I cannot imagine where I would be without him.

Website: www.Arielbphotography.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/arielbphotography?igshid=NzAzN2Q1NTE=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arielbphotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d