Conversations with the Inspiring Andrea O’Bert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea O’Bert.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career in photography in high school actually! I’ve always been a creative person and saw myself in a field of making art but I didn’t have much direction on where to take that. However, in my high school photography class, I truly fell in love with the art of portraiture and even shadowed my teacher at a couple of weddings. After that, I really went all in learning as much as I could. Three years later, here I am, graduating from the University of Arizona and running a full-time business! It’s nothing I could’ve ever imagined but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I current photograph twenty or so weddings per year between Tucson and Phoenix and am working on expanding my reach outwards and photographing more destination weddings. Along with photography, travel is a huge passion of mine and I love that I have a job that allows seeing new and beautiful places! Last year, I had weddings in North Carolina, Virginia, Seattle and Cancún and this year, I’ll be working in San Diego, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Georgia! Destination weddings are my absolute favorite and I look forward to taking on more as I progress. I like to think of my style as emphasizing warm, golden tones and the natural environment. I love capturing genuine love and happiness and getting to learn all about the love stories all around me!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like in any business, there are always highs and lows. There are seasons of excitement and success and seasons of mistakes and hardship. The biggest struggle throughout my journey has been maintaining my self-confidence in times of trouble. When my inquiries get low and I miss a few bookings, it’s so easy for me to doubt myself and my business. And I’m sure other women feel the same way. It’s so important to value yourself and your work, no matter what stage in your journey that you’re in. Whether you just started your business and you’re struggling to keep afloat or you’re a seasoned entrepreneur bringing in six figures, know. your. worth. As women, we have so much potential and so much power, but we let it get overshadowed by insecurity, and I hope that as we progress, we can learn to love ourselves and our capability to build a better future.

What should we know about Andrea O’Bert Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a wedding and portrait photographer based in Tucson, Arizona. I pride myself on my ability to connect with the couples that I work with and form strong, lasting relationships with my clients. I specialize in warm, golden photos that emphasize the beautiful desert landscape around us. One of my proudest points for my business is that I have been able to build it entirely while I’ve been a full-time student at the University of Arizona. Working as a full-time wedding photographer/business owner while maintaining a 3.9 GPA hasn’t been easy, but I’ve absolutely loved my journey and I think it’s taught me a lot about time management and balance.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I have always been a creative soul. From the time I was a little kid, I remember sitting at my grandma’s house and watching her effortlessly draw animals and toys and trying to mimic her every move. I have always loved making art, whether it be painting, hand-lettering, drawing, sculpting and whatever else I could find to create. I always knew that I wanted to work in art but I never really knew what it would be until I found photography. I’m so lucky to have family and friends that supported me every step of the way. I think it can be daunting for parents when their child says, “When I grow up, I want to be an artist!”, but I can’t thank my parents enough for never faltering and always believing that I could do it, even when I didn’t know what “it” was.

Pricing:

• Wedding Packages starting at $2,000
• Portrait Packages starting at $200

Contact Info:

• Website: www.andreaobert.com
• Phone: (520) 981-8084
• Email: andreaeobert@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/andreaobertphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreaobertphoto

Image Credit:
Andrea O’Bert

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