Meet Elaina Ortiz | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaina Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaina, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I first came up with this idea because of Instagram. I’ve always wanted my profile to look good so I would go out and have my friends take pictures of me with my old camera. I had a certain way I wanted them taken and I would edit them myself too. After a while, I decided to start taking photos of my friends instead. I got great feedback from doing so. From there, I decided I wanted to make this into a business. I made my own Instagram for Lains Lens and started booking clients.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart is that I try to convey emotions in my photographs, and I also love a lot of movement. I’m honestly just really proud of how far I’ve come in my photography overall. In the beginning, it was hard to find who I really was because I started out following these photographers on Instagram who do a lot of photoshop work. So because I thought that was what people wanted to see, that’s how I edited and took my photos. Eventually, I realized this is not an accurate representation of me and I decided to change how I took my photos. I’m glad I did so because it’s hard to try and not fit the mold when all you see around you is what you’re not trying to be. I’m no where near where I want to be, but I know that I’m getting closer and closer so I’m happy with that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1- Hollywood Studios for the Tower of Terror and 50’s Prime Time Cafe for the best pot roast. Day 2- Disney Springs to walk around and shop, and obviously get French poutine for lunch at The Daily Poutine Day 3- Mills 50 for the best asian street food, King Bao is #1 on the list. After food we’d check out my favorite camera stores Colonial Photo and Hobby Day 4- Lake Eola, maybe it’s a Sunday and the farmers market is out. This is a great place to go if you love to see lots of doggies! After Lake Eola, Pho Hoa Noodle Soup for the best pho in Orlando. I’d have to get the brisket pho. Day 5- Leu Gardens, then we’d hop over to Kelly’s Homemade Ice-cream, you literally could get anything and it will always be good, but my fav. is the Cookie Monster. For dinner we’d have to go to Domu, at East End Market, to get their Korean Twice Fried wings! Day 6- Photo shoot! This is top secret, but one of my favorite locations to shoot in Orlando is at Blue Jacket Park. There are a lot of white bridges and a super pretty fountain. After the photoshoot, we’d go back to the East End Market and get Japanese mochi donuts from Dochi. Day 7- Disney again, this time Epcot. In the France pavilion, during the summer, there is a strawberries and cream macaron ice cream sandwich that is absolutely to die for. Since Beauty and Beast is my favorite move we’d also have to do the sing-along. After France we’d ride Soarin’ and Test Track, then we could watch the fireworks to end things off with a bang! *If you can’t tell I’m a pretty big Disney fan, and I work there when I’m not taking photos.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I really want to shout out my friends for believing in me. Specifically Nani, she always helps me out when I do promotions for my business, or just need someone to take photos of. I also get nervous when I have a client I’ve never met, so sometimes she’ll come out to the shoot and be my assistant. She has really have been there since the beginning and I’m so thankful for her.

Website: lainslens.com
Instagram: @lainslens

Image Credits
Elaina Ortiz