Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Celeste. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Celeste, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I started my photography business in May of 2024 and have always been drawn to capturing moments for other people. When I considered pursuing photography beyond being a hobbyist, I fell into the downward spiral of endlessly scrolling Instagram to see what the market was like in my area. Being in a state that is a destination for elopements and travel weddings, my market is heavily saturated with talented photographers who have been in this profession for half of my lifetime, or had a TikTok/reel go viral and are now booking into 2027.
“Comparison is the thief of joy” is something I have lived with for most of my life. Throughout this initial process of considering how to build my brand, I genuinely contemplated not pursuing photography at all. How would I be a better option for a client than the photographer with 50,000 Instagram followers and a portfolio 10x as big as mine? My husband and close friends have been a voice of reason as I have endeavored to build my business. They have reminded me that I have something worth sharing. As I started to vulnerably market and share my story with people, I began get inquiries within days. I realized that not all clients are looking for what is new and trendy (even though I can appreciate and admire the artistry of newer trends). Most clients are searching for a creative who wears their heart on their sleeve, can bring visions to life and develop an incomparable experience for them. I am inspired by color grading from movies my clients love, music that soundtracked their beginnings and narratives found within literature or art that they appreciate. These mediums prompt me to cultivate an organic storyline for the people I photograph.
Imposter syndrome does not serve my craft and will never make me a better photographer with a distinct aesthetic. As a photographer I have a responsibility to create the best possible outcomes for my clients and memorialize a fleeting time in their life. As I have learned to focus on people and the art itself, I have overcome the need to replicate what others are creating. We are all creating something incredible for people and that is the true accomplishment as a artist!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Celeste Hernandez and I am a film/digital photographer based in Northern Colorado! I photograph elopements/micro-weddings, engagements, portraits and live music! I began photographing people my senior year of high school and took up film photography in 2020. As I learned more about my interests and developed an ambition to pursue photography professionally, I started Celeste Naomi Photography in 2024. Since then, I have met some of the kindest people on this planet and grown tremendously as an artist. I incorporate 35mm/120mm film into all of my shoots and personally develop/scan it in my home. Because I am based in Colorado, I have the luxury of scouting less-trafficked trails and open spaces to find scenic and unique locations for photoshoots. My goal is to immerse my clients in a movie-like experience that feels true to who they are outside of our time together.
As for my services, my photoshoots include digital and film images, polaroids and super 8 film footage! I stray away from traditional poses and aim to capture organic moments of clients with some direction and a detailed vision in mind. I draw much of my inspiration from my favorite movies, music and books, as well as my clients’ stories! I primarily book clients who are interested in a day of being adventurous, romantic and spontaneous! In 2026, I am offering free travel to my top destination locations (Maine, Massachusetts, California, Washington and Montana). Additionally, I would love to work more with musicians and tap into my love for artistic portraits/developing album cover concepts.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important skills that impacted pursuing this career for myself are probably discipline, adaptability and kindness (yes, kindness is truly a skill). It is nearly impossible to start a business without discipline and adaptability, There were months with zero inquiries and I felt insanely discouraged. Then, the next month I would get 7-10 inquiries. Owning a business consists of a lot of ebbs and flows, but the months filled with getting to photograph likeminded, creative and authentic people are worth it. As for kindness, you cannot build a business without it. I have talked with clients who did not pursue signing with another photographer solely because the photographer was standoffish or disinterested. Just. Be. A. Kind. Person! It will take you so far.
Advice for for photographers who are apprehensive about taking the leap to start a business: DO IT. You will never regret trying and failing for your craft! Also, remember to keep yourself engaged and eager as you begin to convert a hobby into a profession. Burnout will hit, but the passion and ambition can remain!
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
If I only had 10 years of life left, I would jump head first into my business and travel the world with my husband while I did it! I would buy a plot of land and raise goats, sheep, horses, you name it. I have always wanted to start a ceramics business as well, so carpe diem. I am most myself when I am behind a camera, with people I love or enjoying a cup of coffee with my husband and cat in our home. I would also probably try to move my grandfather and brother out to Colorado – they bring so much color to the black + white in my life! I am lucky to live an everyday life that feels like a dream. There is not much I would change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.celestenaomiphotography.com
- Instagram: @celestenaomiphotography/@celestebutfilm
Image Credits
* all photos are mine 🙂
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
