Life and Work with Arlee Aragon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlee Aragon.

Arlee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My family members told me I had always had an eye for photography since I was a kid. For years my family and I had a Canon DSLR just sitting around the house. I took it out from the closet and started playing around with it. I thought photography was as simple as pushing a button, but I soon realized that it was more than that and I was eager to learn. My aunt, Becky, had always been a huge role model in my life. She was and still is a professional photographer. She gave me a few lessons and told me, ” If you want to be good at photography, you have to practice every single day. ” Being thirteen or so, I thought she was CRAZY. Everyday was a big commitment, yet I listened. I took those two lessons, started practicing every single day, and began to grow. It soon came to my attention that I wanted to pursue this; I wanted to make photography more than just a hobby. My best friend, Leanna, asked me to do some senior pictures for her at sunrise and bribed me with food! She opened a HUGE door for me. Nine months later from her senior shoot I had released my business name and a whole website. A year before this I would have never thought this would be happening. I was awestruck not only by having my own business at fifteen but by all of the support I had as well. In May of this year, it will have been a whole year since I released “ARLEEOGRAPHY”. It has been a wild year, but a year filled with so many blessings. I am so extremely thankful for my friends and family that have helped and pushed me!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road, that is for sure. I have had so many doubts due to how young I am and because of how many other photographers there are in Colorado Springs. Some struggles I have had along the way is one, promoting myself, trying to make myself known and get clientele. Two, I’ve struggled with finding a balance between school, sports, and my business. I have also struggled with being patient. Telling myself in my dry season, that they will get better and things will pick up again.

Advice I would give other women, young people my age, or literally anyone is: keep working toward what you want, DO NOT give up! There are going to be great times and not so great times. In those not so great times, I feel that is when we learn the most, we become the strongest, and shows us perseverance. I try to remind myself that God put me in the situation I am in for a reason. I may not realize it now, but I will later and I will rejoice! If you are passionate about one thing, you go after it. Chase it like you are a toddler running after bubbles. We all have a purpose, so I feel we need to go after what we feel in our hearts. Sounds so cheesy, but it is true!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Arleeography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am specifically a portrait photographer. That means I specialize in families, seniors, engagements, and weddings. My forte would probably seniors. I love photographing seniors. When early August rolls around I get SO excited that “Senior Season” is BACK!

For my business, I am most proud of how much I have grown in the last year. I started from scratch and now I am getting bookings left and right. It makes me so happy and proud that hours of hard work is paying off.

What sets me apart from others, I hate to say it, but it would probably be my age. Most business owners are in their twenties and up, yet here I am at sixteen. I try to keep my age on the down low because I hate being looked down upon because of it.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
If you’re passionate about it, put your all into it, chase after that goal/dream. You CAN do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arleeography.com
• Email: arleeaphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arleeography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arlee.aragon.9

Image Credit:
Arlee Aragon

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