Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Esteban Allard-Valdivieso. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Esteban, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
So before answering this, I will admit that, broadly speaking, I’m not naturally an optimist. As a teen, I was definitely an angst-fueled pessimist, but as I got older, I found myself becoming a realist or a pragmatist. However, stepping into the role of being a stepfather about five years ago has seriously altered how I look at the world…for the better. I look at the world in a more positive light because I have two incredible kids whom I know are going to do great things in this world. In them I see hope and joy and positivity. Where I saw doom and disorder before, now I see them getting ready to face life’s struggles head-on and with eyes wide open. They’re about to embark on the same journey we all go through. Whatever happens, I can’t give up. How could I? What kind of dad would I be if I chickened out or couldn’t look on the bright side of life? Whatever is happening, it’s easy to call it quits, but what kind of lesson would I be teaching them? They see my wife and I get up each time life knocks us down. They see that hope is what creates opportunities, and there is no hope without some kind of optimism. They have to see courage demonstrated for them to instill it in others. There has to be a sense that life is beautiful and worth fighting for and that it takes real strength to be optimistic. Long story short, optimism for me is a habit I have to practice, and it flows directly from my showing gratitude and being thankful…but honestly, my kids and my wife are really the wellspring of where it stems from.
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?
So I am an events, concert and lifestyle photographer, known as Fiestaban Photography, based out of Berkeley, California. I’ve been doing it since about 2006, professionally since 2013. I have clients all over California, but primarily I work in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. I have shot just about every kind of photography: from runway and weddings to underground events and premier galas. I have a reputation for being friendly, professional and setting everyone in front of the camera at ease. I love the idea of representing timeless moments and capturing people enjoying their life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think first and foremost, you have to check your ego before you start shooting. You cannot bring any anxiety, nervousness, or anger to a shoot–It absolutely will rub off and your work will suffer. Even if you’re having a rough day, put on a smile, take a deep breath and find something that you are grateful for right in that moment. Sometimes I’ll have something I’ve memorized, either like a song or a speech, and say it quietly out loud to get me in a new frame of mind. It usually calms my nerves and makes it possible to focus on what I need to accomplish.
Secondly, be punctual and prompt. So much about being a quality photographer isn’t about technical skills, but about following directions and being prepared, which you can only do if you’re on time. Obviously, life can happen and that’s where communication is key, but honestly, don’t over-promise or under-deliver. If you know it’s going to take a while to get photos back, just say so and don’t set undeliverable expectations. Also, traffic is not an excuse…you have to leave earlier!
Thirdly, I would say you need to keep the long-view in mind. There will always be nerves, there will always be good and bad times, good and bad reviews, hardships, technical failures, etc. but don’t let every image dictate your self-worth. The idea that you’re only as good as your last shoot can become toxic to your morale. Overall, are you improving? Are you growing? Are you having a good time? That’s what it’s about!
How do you find new clients? Do you have any recommendations?
Personally, I’m a little older, and social media isn’t really my main driver of new clients. If your main outlet is Instagram or TikTok, go for it and be consistent and follow the algorithm. However, for me, most of the time, real work comes from word-of-mouth referrals. I would tell someone just getting started that you don’t need “Likes” as much as you need recommendations. People will trust you, not only when you can back up your work with a “wow”-factor, but when their friends or colleagues put their faith in you. Don’t ever burn bridges and don’t ever take things personally. Live to fight another day.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
As great as it sounds, being well-rounded in photography doesn’t actually make for better photographs (or more work). You obviously have to know what your strengths are, which comes from experience, but usually you find out pretty quickly which things click for you. If you have a knack for videography, definitely do that, as the future is video, not stills. But if you like shooting music for the energy, or weddings because of the curation, or fashion for the technicality, or even families because you’re good with kids, you should definitely focus on that. Also, it’s usually easier to get recommendations within certain fields, as most people in any given industry tend to know each other. Drill down. Watch YouTube tutorials. Assist other photographers. Read. Pay attention. Get better at what you’re good at. For instance, years ago, when I started shooting runway/fashion shows, I started immediately getting referrals to other runway shows and to the models whom wanted new content. When I started shooting music, all the promoters and publicists and musicians started getting in contact with me. Go with that. Pigeon holes can sometimes feel stifling, but work is work. Also, nobody is stopping you from having personal projects. As a jack-of-all-trades, I can tell you, you do not need to be one!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fiestabanphoto.com
- Instagram: @fiestabanphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiestabanphoto
- Other: www.musicforevermagazine.com
@musicforevermagazine
Image Credits
Tears For Fears Doll Klaw Treasure Gemz Gigi Xochitl Grace Jones Oliver Tree Alison Allard-Papion
