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

Hi Sergio, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well at first I had no interest in owning my own photography business. I had gone to school for photojournalism. Which eventually led me back to the Imperial Valley where I got a photography position at the local newspaper in 2013. Fast forward to 2015 when all photographers got laid off, I decided, with the help of someone close to me, to promote myself as a photographer for hire. My work got well known and it became certain that I should open a small photography studio. It started by converting a small space at home to a functioning studio. But as business took off I outgrew the space. During the Covid pandemic, a friend of mine offered me a permanent space inside her vintage boutique. Doing that was a big step for me. but it was the correct choice. So for the past 3 years I’ve had an official photography studio in downtown El Centro.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Initially I wanted to be a Photojournalist. That’s what I went to school for but I also had interest in doing my own style of portraits. Usually my own art consists of darker themed portraits. Some of my own art inspired by film or certain lyrics from songs. Even though I mostly shoot with digital cameras I do my best to still shoot some of my project with analog film, either 35mm or 120 medium format film. Being from this small community not everyone works in the style or tone I use with my images. I do look at it more as art than a business. And it takes a lot of time and imagination to come up with ideas that I could turn into an image. Usually I get an idea and it could take months to years to finally visualize an idea I may have.

It’s difficult to do these types of images when you have to run a photography studio. Since I am a one man show, I somehow have to balance my time between my art and my clients. Getting where I am has taken a long time. Endless night of editing and trying to meet deadlines for clients. To the point where you just get tired of seeing the same images over and over again. But once you finish and release the images to your clients the feeling changes. Its no longer just yours, it belongs to everyone who sees the image and has a reaction to it. Wether it be a good or bad reaction. I grow on criticism to make my art or business better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Imperial Valley is a very small community. I would say the sand dunes are a great place to visit. Another place is Salvation Mountain. But most places you can find randomly by going on Main St. here in El Centro. We got Mexca Tasting Room, a small bar with locally brewed beer. For the music lover there’s Discorda Records.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my friends and family for all their support with my art and business. Liz from Tiendique who gave me an opportunity to have my photography studio in El Centro. And especially, someone close to me who’s nudge I received set me on this path, to A thank you!

Website: https://smbphotog.mypixieset.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sini69

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smbphotog

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