Meet Erika Arango | Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Erika, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was 17, that was the first time I picked up a camera and immediately I emerged my self into this awesome hobby that I never thought would be more than that, just a hobby. At 18 I wanted to become a paramedic, My uncle was a big influencer for the path I had chosen so that’s what I wanted to do with my life.

Of course photography was my escape. Although I have always been into painting and art photography to me it was an extension of it  but I chose what was artistic in my with my camera, all I wanted to do is take photos and of course over time, I got better and friends would ask me to do photos for them and so on. I really enjoyed this a lot and I was figuring out what things I liked the most.
At this point I was in my 3rd semester of paramedic school and I was also working at the hospital. It was an amazing experience, I got to meet amazing health care workers and people! However I am a huge empath and working at the hospital was taking an emotional toll on me  ( losing patients, overdoses, hospice etc) and I was not sure  if I wanted to continue my paramedic/ firefighter career and pursue nursing instead.
My first big job was a wedding for a co-worker’s sister. They were doing a traditional hindu wedding and I was so stoked to be part of something I’ve never done! I remember being 3 days long and of course having ZERO experience I only charged 100 per day. The couple already had their professional photographer for the day but my friend wanted to give me the opportunity to do this. I did the wedding and of course I fell in love with it! I sent them the photos and I didn’t hear anything until a few weeks later. One day We received thank you cards at work and one was for me and the couple left me a beautiful  note, thanking me for capturing their wedding. What to me is that they used my photos instead of their photographer, I couldn’t believe it! till this day, they are still working with me.
Over time, more referrals were coming my way and the more jobs I was getting the more  I wanted to pursue it more than ever but how could I drop everything I’ve done? It was a scary move on my end but I was sure I didn’t want to be in school anymore.

At my last job, things really turned for me, we were losing a lot of patients, even we lost our PA and the doctor’s husband. It was so hard on us because we felt like a family and It started affecting my emotional state. So one day one of our patients, Keith Willard, found out about my craft and I showed him my work. Keith is an amazing and talented event planner and he told me what the hell are you doing here? it became a thing every time I saw him. I was like, wow do i really have what it takes to make it? He would encourage me each time, he actually helped me a lot on how to get started and one day I did a wedding, capture everything and sent the photos.
A few months later, I get a message from the couple. The groom’s brother passed, surely after and they used my photos of him smiling, being happy and just really showing who he was as a person. The it hit me. I’m not only taking pictures, I am literally freezing time, a moment gone and we tend to forget that we are here temporarily. We never think of our own mortality until it happens to someone close to us. I knew then this is what I truly wanted to do. Photography was happy moments between loved ones and you can capture so much emotion in them that it brings you back to that place or person. Even sad moments can be beautiful, it makes you appreciate the good stuff is in your life and I think when you see things in a different perspective, you feel like you added a little happiness, even if its miniscule in someone’s life or make their fay for a photo you took. So right after, I talked to Keith, started my LLC and told my job I wanted to do photography full time. They were sad but they were also so happy I was pursing something I loved for so long.

So here I am, trying to do my best, trying to capture real raw moments and do my best each time I do a job and treat it like my first project or my first photography session, work hard and when there are days I feel like giving up, I look back at the things I’ve done to get where I am today. Sometimes when you are meant to do something,  it will happen with hard work, dedication and sacrifice.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I like to capture things as they are, I always feel some pressured to do photography like everyone else but thanks to Loy ( My partner) he helped me free my creative part of me without feeling bad that I was not meant for everyone. So I started doing what I wanted, My couples trust my judgement and I try to have fun with people. I get tons of inspiration from Wes Anderson and I love the way he frames things and how artistically he makes his films. I learned over time to stop comparing my self to other photographers and other creators. I learned to try to do things a little different and abscessed over things not being perfect. I feel like there is beauty in imperfections. It makes things more memorable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to cook and stay at home! But normally Kayaking and paddleboarding are my favorite things to do! I would take them to Peanut Island, snorkle and paddle board. Head back to Fort Lauderdale hit a sushi One – which is this tiny hole on the wall Japanese sushi spot or riverside market in fort Lauderdale, while im not a social drinker, they have all these cool fridges with tons of beers and the food is super yummy! its a super chill spot.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Keith Willard- He was the one who helped me get out of the office, motivating me each time to pursue what I loved, even thought its a scary thing. He was there to guide me to the legal aspects and kick me in the butt to do it!

My boyfriend Loy and second Shooter, He has seen my growth.
I went from living in a room with my pets to living in a house with tons of space and being financially stable. He’s also been helping me during weddings and we help each other as much as we can, motivate each other to succeed. Specially back in 2017- I lost my grandmother and I dropped the ball big time with my craft but he was there to help me.

My friends and family. Always believing in me.

Website: www.lightskyphotography.com

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