Meet Deborah Martinez | Freelance Photographer

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

Hi Deborah, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
It certainly has not been smooth road! If it would have been smooth, I would have been worried. Marketing, branding, and social media have been some of the best tools but also the ones that have created most of the struggles. For a while, I was getting a good base clientele from my local church, but I wanted to expand beyond that and it was hard — it still sometimes is. However, my faithful clients started spreading the word about my business and I started getting opportunities to expand my portfolio.

At one point I was only getting a few clients every three to six months and I got to a point where I wanted to quit because I did not event receive inquiries for shoots. Because of the lack of traction, I thought my photos weren’t good enough and they weren’t up to what society thinks is “trendy” SO I thought quitting was the best option for me because I wasn’t making fast enough in the industry like other photographers. However, my biggest mistake (sometimes to this day) is comparing myself to other photographers. It was hard to watch other businesses thrive when I was working so hard and I could barely get one client a month. But I did not quit on myself! With the support of friends and family, I pushed myself and got better equipment, honed in on my editing skills, created a website, started using social media marketing tools and most importantly, I stoped looking around and focused on what I could do to improve versus what other people were doing. Soon enough, I started booking weddings, getting 2-3 clients a month, and getting myself from only booking clients I knew personally to photographing people I had never met before.

Although I have been able to establish a wonderful client base, and have made it 5 full years in my business, I still struggle with comparing myself to others, online marketing, and feeling truly confident in my abilities to take the kinds of photos people want. I think that I’ll always have to work through some of these struggles as a Creative.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It certainly has not been smooth road! If it would have been smooth, I would have been worried. Marketing, branding, and social media have been some of the best tools but also the ones that have created most of the struggles. For a while, I was getting a good base clientele from my local church, but I wanted to expand beyond that and it was hard — it still sometimes is. However, my faithful clients started spreading the word about my business and I started getting opportunities to expand my portfolio.

At one point I was only getting a few clients every three to six months and I got to a point where I wanted to quit because I did not event receive inquiries for shoots. Because of the lack of traction, I thought my photos weren’t good enough and they weren’t up to what society thinks is “trendy” SO I thought quitting was the best option for me because I wasn’t making fast enough in the industry like other photographers. However, my biggest mistake (sometimes to this day) is comparing myself to other photographers. It was hard to watch other businesses thrive when I was working so hard and I could barely get one client a month. But I did not quit on myself! With the support of friends and family, I pushed myself and got better equipment, honed in on my editing skills, created a website, started using social media marketing tools and most importantly, I stoped looking around and focused on what I could do to improve versus what other people were doing. Soon enough, I started booking weddings, getting 2-3 clients a month, and getting myself from only booking clients I knew personally to photographing people I had never met before.

Although I have been able to establish a wonderful client base, and have made it 5 full years in my business, I still struggle with comparing myself to others, online marketing, and feeling truly confident in my abilities to take the kinds of photos people want. I think that I’ll always have to work through some of these struggles as a Creative.

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?
We’d start the day at Bishop Arts District, a charming area filled with quirky shops and cool spots. I’d grab us a coffee and a donut at The Salty (trust me, it’s a must-try), I’d order their cinnamon toast crunch ice latte and their traditional brown butter + salt.. We’d just enjoy a leisurely stroll around, soaking in the vibe of this neighborhood.

Next up, we’d head to Legacy Hall for lunch. It’s this awesome food hall with tons of options, so we’d grab a pitcher of drinks and hang out, enjoying the lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to relax and catch up.

Afterward, we’d drive back to the suburbs for a hearty dinner at Whiskey Cake. You have to try their fried green tomatoes and Fish N’ Chips—they’re absolute standouts. And, of course, we’d finish it off with their famous Whiskey Cake for dessert (because who could say no to that?).

It’d be the perfect mix of laid-back fun, delicious food, and great company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A Huge Shout-Out to My Amazing Clients, Friends, and Family!

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to all my past and present clients. You have played such a pivotal role in helping me get to where I am today. Thank you for believing in me and entrusting me with capturing your most important milestones. From weddings to personal portraits and everything in between, your trust and support have been the foundation of my journey.

And to my friends and family—thank you for being my backbone. Your love, encouragement, and unwavering support have kept me going through every challenge and triumph. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.

It’s been an honor to document your stories, and I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built along the way. This wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your beautiful moments!

Website: https://debslensphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @debslensphotography

Other: TikTok: @debslensphotography

Image Credits
Photogpraher: Deborah Martinez