Meet Allan Villanueva of Everglow Photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allan Villanueva.

Hi Allan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I’ve been taking pictures since 1998. I can remember vividly the day I got my very first camera, in 1998 film was still widely available and I was so excited to start taking pictures with my very first SLR camera. Black & white architecture and abstract were my favorites back then, developing in my high school’s darkroom. Little did I know, I was also developing a lifelong passion for photography & storytelling.

Fast forward to 2017, a good friend had launched a clothing brand and was in need of some product photography. She had asked if we’d be willing to take photos and use our kids as models. My wife and I have two boys (now 6 and 8) and we were so excited about this project. Up until this point, my photography was my own. I took pictures for my own enjoyment, and there was the occasional engagement session for friends and those sort of things, but I never considered myself a professional photographer let alone running a small business.

My career choice in life is event planning. I have been successfully planning and managing large-scale events for a decade. Anyone who is in that industry knows that it’s stressful. My passion for photography was my outlet and at times my savior. In 2017, with the encouragement of friends and my wife, it became my business.

With the exposure of those first sessions, Everglow Photo grew naturally. Along with the product photography, came portraiture, families, engagement, maternity, and much more. My focus has always been to tell stories through my photographs. When my clients are looking back at their sessions I want them to remember that exact day, all the wild things I had them try, and all the laughs we had.

I have to give huge credit to my wife Jeannelyn, not only is she the best partner and mother we can ask for. She also runs much of the back end of the business. From booking, client management, and managing the calendar, this business is as much hers as it is mine.

As we move forward with our business our focus will continue to be, to capture genuine moments and tell genuine stories. I want to portray that even with my product photography, and most certainly with my clients and all I capture with them.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Taking photos is the easy part, the hard stuff is and always will be running the business and finding that balance. Everything that I get my hands on I want to make as perfect and successful as it can be. As other small businesses can attest to, the time and effort and all the hats you have to wear can be daunting.

From sales to marketer/social media manager, and customer relations manager all on top of the photography. With photography, there is the culling, the editing, and of course the joy of delivering those galleries. The ‘grind’ and ‘struggle’ are real. I can just hear all my fellow small business owners right now, ‘Amen!’ ‘Preach!’

As I sit here with the question presented in front of me, I find myself admitting, most of it is a struggle. It’s the figuring it out, then making it all work, not quitting, and in the end, producing something that I can be proud of. That my clients can love, and react to. That is what makes it all worth the hard work.

I often have to make sure that I don’t get lost in the work, that the balance is still there. That my family has confidence that they are the priority. So I do find myself working on my business at night when the kids are finally down. Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day. Working full-time, being a husband and dad, running a business, sometimes the social life and sleep can be optional.

Being able to pursue love and passion, even if you don’t have all the answers. It’s worth it all.

As you know, we’re big fans of Everglow Photo. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
First and foremost, I will definitely tell you what to do with your hands during our photo sessions! As a photographer, I specialize in people and products. I want to get to know our clients, I try to display and bring out personalities in the most natural ways possible. Movement over poses, though I always make sure to get the one traditional shot.

Have you ever played red light green light during a photoshoot? Danced in the middle of the street? Climbed a mountain for the most epic location? No? Me either, wink, wink. By that I mean, I have. I often try to incorporate fun random activities to elicit the most awesome natural responses and capture those in a photograph, forever.

When it comes to choosing a photographer the experience you get is only one of the factors you should consider. Style is also a major factor. I love using the beautiful Arizona landscape as backdrops to my client’s sessions. My photography has been described as a sun-kissed, warm, sunset glow. Get it? Everglow. I am a fan of backlit golden hour goodness. If that is up to your alley, I am your photographer. I do the occasional in-home/indoor session. Where my focus is always building out your story.

Product photography is the niche that started the business. If you have a clothing line you’d like to market, jewelry you’ve handcrafted, any product you’d like to sell and market. Let me tell its story, let me work with you to bring your product to life, through photos.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
One of my favorite things to do is work with others to create. What can I teach? What can I learn? I believe in community over competition any day.

I often will reach out to other small business owners and friends to pitch ideas or talk about opportunities to help each other out. I encourage people to do the same with me. It’s a big world and we can only benefit from each other. As long as the intentions are there I am happy to collaborate and support others.

Contact Info:

• Email: everglow_photo@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everglow__photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everglowphotography