Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Miranda.
Vanessa, can you briefly walk us through your story ? how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my journey in business in the Events industry for a regional golf magazine, Colorado Avid Golfer, moved onto Account Management for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment and then settled into Events once more at the Tavern Hospitality Group. After a year of being with THG, I was promoted to Director of Groups Sales and Events, managing 11 different locations throughout the Denver Metro area. All of these experiences and companies’ combined taught me a tremendous amount about myself and the ins and outs of business. All the things that I still rely on every day, marketing, numbers and trends, client management, customer service, networking, attention to detail, etc.
Although I loved my job in Events, I felt like something was missing. Through all of my lessons learned within business, I felt like there was a creative side of me that I was unable to express. I also felt as if there was a different way to look at your
day-to-day, so I started to ask questions. Does it have to look like a 9-5? Was I tied to the comfortability of a steady paycheck every two weeks? Was that idea holding me back? Ok, but where do I go from here? As I moved on with this seed of an idea, I decided to open my head and heart to a different sense of what your career is supposed to look like.
Soon after this internal conversation, I was with a few friends having a glass of wine. My friend Casey and I started talking about this idea of today’s careers and paving your own way. At this point, Casey was the owner of an incredibly successful wedding photography business called, Two One Photography. As I expressed my desire to find my creativity, passion and forge a different road; she said, “Well, why don’t you come second shoot with me a few times and see how you like it.”
So in 2016, the seed was planted and that is where the journey began. I fell in love with it and was hungry for more. I poured myself into the business and took on any opportunity possible. I second shot any chance I could to learn the camera and learn the method, then started to take on small shoots. My sole focus was the technicality of the camera and the editing process. Eventually, with Casey’s constant guidance and expertise, she trained me to a point to take on my own weddings and I continued to excel and find my space and stride within the world of Photography. I then signed on with Two One as an Associate Photographer and had my first successful season of 13 weddings. Once I got to the point of confidence in my work, Casey and I were really able to hit the ground running. With two of us fully in it, we were able to cover more ground than ever and have already hit many of the goals we set for 2020. We are now on pace to cover approximately 60 weddings this next year.
I am so grateful for so many things, I really feel like everything that I have done for the last ten years led up to the moment of everything coming together. My years in a corporate setting, responsibilities, struggles and victories guided me to this exact moment and I am fully embracing every minute! I continue to grow and learn and can’t wait for what the future holds for Two One Photography.
Fun fact about Casey and I: Of course, we were acquaintances that became fast friends about ten years ago. When this process began I had mentioned to her that I thought her and my brother would hit it off. Three years later they were married in Charleston. So we added sisters-in-law to our list of titles. Maybe I should try my hand in matchmaking. 😉
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey to where I am now has not been an easy road. It all started with an honest conversation with my husband, Dale, realistically laying out what the next year or so would look like. Dale gave me full support and uplifted me in the moments I needed it the most.
In order for this dream to become reality, there was a delicate transition that had to take place. I had to find the balance between getting started in this new industry (which takes all of you) and continuing with my career within the Hospitality industry. Finding times after work for engagement or family shoots and staying up until midnight editing shoots to deliver on time. That particular chapter was exhausting, it took away from my social and family/home time, HOWEVER, I would never take that time back because the success and freedom that followed was sweeter than ever.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Two One Photography specializes in wedding, portraits, commercial and event photography. Two One began in 2009. Casey Wigotow- Van Horn (Owner) has shot nationally and internationally and has won Best of Weddings with The Knot Magazine for eight years, Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards for seven years and recently won Lux Life Magazine’s Global Wedding – Best High-End Photographer for 2018 & 2019 and Luxury Travel Guides Wedding Photographer of the Year. I am proud to be a part of this incredible company and proud to say that I was a part of the Knot 2019-2020, Best of Weddings Lux Life and The Travel Guide award and on track to have a record-setting year for 2020!
What sets us apart from others is the personal touch we put into every event or shoot. It is important to cultivate a bond with your clients to allow their vision to come to light. These are some of the biggest moments of life. It is not always easy to have a camera around within an intimate moment. We focus on the in-between authentic moments and capturing the story, the best photos we can capture are when they feel comfortable and at ease with us. More times than not we create a longstanding friendship with the couples or companies we photograph. I LOVE that part of my job.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
One thing that I need to remind myself daily is to love the present moment of my business and to refrain from comparison. It is easy to get into a mode of where you are and where you need to be. That drive is great but it can also be tough on your spirit. I think it is easy in this day in age to compare ourselves to others, especially with social media. I recently read a book by Rachel Hollis, there is a quote that spoke to me that I recite to myself daily, “Don’t you dare compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” You have to honor your process, and know you are exactly where you are meant to be. Work hard, be positive, hustle and it will fall where it needs to. It is wasted energy to compare yourself or your work to anyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TwoOnePhotography.com
- Phone: 720-422-3941
- Email: Vanessa@TwoOnePhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessatwoonephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twoonephotography/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/twoonephotography/
Image Credit:
Two One Photography
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