Meet Zandra Gutay

We were lucky to catch up with Zandra Gutay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zandra, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience comes from my journey growing up in Manila, Philippines moving to the U.S., starting over, and building everything from the ground up. I’ve faced moments where life felt uncertain, but every challenge taught me how to stand stronger, trust the process, and keep moving forward.

My strength really comes from my family and the values I was raised with: hard work, gratitude, and faith. Those values shaped who I am and how I show up in my work. As an artist and storyteller, resilience also comes from my love for what I do. Photography and videography are more than a business for me they’re my way of turning life’s moments into something meaningful. Every time I create, I’m reminded that my journey has a purpose.

Being a one-woman brand also taught me that resilience grows when you believe deeply in your vision. Even on the days when things get overwhelming, I push through because I want to create art that feels honest, heartfelt, and lasting. My clients trust me with their stories that alone inspires me to never give up.

At the end of the day, resilience is a mix of where I come from, what I’ve survived, and the passion I pour into ZandraVisuals. My journey may not have been easy, but it’s the reason my work carries so much heart.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the founder and artist behind ZandraVisuals, a one-woman photography and videography brand based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. My love for visual storytelling started back home in Manila, Philippines, with simple candid photos of family and self-portraits. Over the years, that small passion evolved into something much bigger a way for me to connect with people, preserve memories, and express who I am as an artist.

What makes my work special is how personal it is. I approach every project whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, a graduation, or any kind of event with intention and heart. As an event photographer, I focus on capturing real emotions, natural light, and genuine moments rather than overly posed scenes. I want every client to feel seen and comfortable, like they’re working with someone who truly cares about their story.

I see photography and videography not just as services, but as a way to turn life’s moments into lasting legacies. Every frame, every detail, every edit carries a piece of my creative journey and the values I learned growing up: authenticity, empathy, and connection. Those values guide my work and shape the warm, artistic style people recognize in ZandraVisuals.

Professionally, I’m focused on growing my brand within the DMV area and beyond, building strong relationships, and refining my signature style of cinematic, heartfelt storytelling. I’m continuing to expand my offerings as an event photographer, covering celebrations, community events, corporate gatherings, and outdoor sessions always capturing moments naturally and beautifully.

I also have exciting plans in motion seasonal mini sessions, collaborative creative shoots with local vendors, and a client-friendly booking system to make the experience even smoother. Everything I am building is meant to give clients not just photos, but an experience they’ll remember.

ZandraVisuals is more than a business for me. It’s my passion, my art, and a piece of my story that I get to share with every person who steps in front of my camera. My goal is simple: to continue telling meaningful stories, one moment at a time, and to create visuals that feel as unforgettable as the memories themselves.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

When I look back at everything I’ve been through from growing up in Manila to building my life and creative career here in the U.S. three qualities stand out the most in shaping who I am and how I work today:

1. Resilience

Resilience has been the foundation of my entire journey. Moving to a new country, starting from scratch, and building a business as a one-woman artist came with challenges, but each one taught me how to stay grounded and keep pushing forward.
My advice:
Don’t expect things to be perfect in the beginning. Learn to take small steps even when you feel unsure. Resilience grows every time you show up for yourself, even on the hard days.

2. Empathy & Connection

As a photographer and event storyteller, connecting with people is everything. Understanding emotions, reading the moment, and making people feel comfortable in front of the camera is what makes my work authentic.
My advice:
Listen more than you speak. Pay attention to people’s energy, their stories, and their comfort levels. The more you connect with people, the more natural your work will feel and the more clients will trust you.

3. Creativity & Continuous Learning

My work is always evolving from experimenting with natural light, to developing my editing style, to learning new ways to capture moments authentically. Creativity isn’t something you perfect once; it’s something you keep growing.
My advice:
Give yourself permission to try things, make mistakes, and explore new styles. Practice often, invest in learning, and let your curiosity lead you. Your craft improves when you stay open and inspired.

Final Thought

Your journey doesn’t have to be fast or perfect it just has to be yours. Build the qualities that feel true to who you are, stay committed to learning, and most importantly, show up with heart. That’s where the growth happens.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I always remind myself to slow down and breathe. As an artist and a one-woman business owner, it’s easy to carry everything at once. So I’ve learned to pause instead of pushing myself until I burn out.

I usually step away from my workspace, go for a short walk, or sit in silence to reconnect with myself. I also remind myself why I started the passion behind my art, the people I get to photograph, and the stories I get to tell. Re-centering my thoughts helps me return to my work with clarity instead of stress.

Another thing that helps is breaking things down into small, manageable steps. When you look at your entire to-do list, everything feels huge. But when you take it one task at a time, you realize you can handle more than you think.

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed:

Give yourself permission to pause rest is productive.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or extend deadlines when needed.

Prioritize what matters most and let go of the idea that you must do everything perfectly.

And most importantly, stay kind to yourself. Growth happens slowly, and overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re failing it means you care.

We’re all human, and even the strongest people need a moment to breathe. What matters is how gently you return to yourself when things get heavy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

none i owned all the photos ive sent

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