Ep.22 Creating Authentic Connections with Elizabeth Salazar

When you stop giving so much weight to what other people think and start listening to yourself, only then can you create the authentic connection we all desire.  

In this episode with photographer Elizabeth Salazar, we hear how she created her business in northwest Arkansas by following her passion in the nooks and crannies of her full time job at the bank.  

We talk about

• Leaning into what feels good to you versus other people’s opinions
• The power of focused energy
• How to push back on imposter syndrome
• What it means to be authentic
• The beauty in being seen

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Transcript

Unknown: 0:00

Looking back at it before 2020, I would look at my business. And I would be like, I don't feel like it's growing. I don't feel like it's going anywhere. I don't feel like I'm doing enough. And so I would really focus on like, what's popular right now? What's getting featured, what are people liking. And so I would try to mimic that. But it just wouldn't come off as authentic, at least to me, it wouldn't come off as authentic and never felt true. And then when I was like, I'm just not going to care about that anymore. It like it just totally changed everything. And I felt like people started coming to me more because they could connect with my story. They could connect with my clients stories. They saw themselves in my photographs, and it just totally changed everything.

Jamie Stephens: 0:45

Hey there and welcome back to breaking up with corporate. I'm Jamie Rene, your host and truth telling gal pal here to have the real conversations with badass women doing their thing. We'll talk candidly about the hard lessons impact business failure mindset, corporate Bs, and all the things. I'm excited to highlight and learn from these amazing women that have stepped into their power and are proving what's possible. Let's do this. Welcome back to another episode of Breaking up with corporate today I have another Arkansas native with me, Elizabeth Salazar. And Elizabeth is a local photographer here who we I discovered on Instagram and just fell in love with her work and her story. So, Elizabeth, welcome to the show.

Unknown: 1:37

Thanks for having me. I'm excited.

Jamie Stephens: 1:40

Yeah. So um, why don't you give us just a little bit of background about what you were doing before you jumped into photography.

Unknown: 1:50

So I started taking pictures in high school for yearbook. I've always really liked taking pictures, but never thought it could actually be a career for me, because I was always taught I had to go to school, and I had to find a career path that was stable. So I went to the UAE. And I went for two semesters. And I just didn't feel like it was me. I didn't know what I was doing. And so I took I decided to take a gap year, and just start working. And so I started working for a bank and I loved working there, decided not to go back to school because I was like, Okay, I really enjoy, enjoy working here. I think I can make a career out of working here. And in the meantime, I started taking pictures for fun, like my mom got me my first camera. And I started taking pictures of my friends and family and then slowly just started advertising myself on Facebook for like free photoshoots to build my portfolio. And it just really started growing. And so then I was working at the bank part time. And I was doing photos part time, I was really indecisive on what I wanted to do, because I did enjoy working at the bank, but I also loved doing photography. Then the bank promoted me so they offered me a full time position. And I decided to take it because I was like well, Bono's isn't like stable. I'm not that busy. I don't think it's really something that I could make a career out of. So I was like, I'll take the bank job. So I promoted up at the bank. And it was great. I loved it. I thought it was awesome. And then I promoted again and I moved centers. And then my photography business just kept growing and growing. I don't felt like I really realized it until my boss came to me. And she was like, Okay, we've been really flexible with you on being able to give you time off and leaving early. But it's becoming to a point where you have to like, decide whether you want to stay at the bank or you want to do your business full time. And I was just shocked. And I was like, I guess I haven't realized that it's like starting to interfere with my nine to five job.

Jamie Stephens: 4:19

How long? How long have you been doing it at that point like to where it had built up? Like what kind of timeframe is that?

Unknown: 4:27

I think it was four years when she first came to me and told me that I should start considering like making a decision. And then COVID hit in my head. I was like, oh my business is not going to do good this year. I mean COVID is heading and so I stayed at the bank and I decided to take a new position. And like I don't want to say it was the wrong decision. Because I learned and I grew from it. But thankfully my business did not do bad and it did even better than previous years. And so I it started become I mean, like I was going into work every morning, dreading it, like I didn't want to be at work because I would rather be at home editing or I don't know doing stuff for my business. And my business started to grow that I was like, I need to be putting all of my attention to it, instead of having to split attention. And I was just starting to realize it was just becoming too much. I had no personal life, because I was always working, then things just kind of fell out at the bank. Once I promoted to that new position and moved to a new center, I didn't feel like I was appreciated. At my new position, I didn't feel I just didn't feel right being there. I felt like I was constantly judged, because I did have another business that I would prefer to do. It kind of happened all of a sudden, I didn't plan on leaving the bank. And then one day, I was like, You know what, I am so fed up with this, I am ready to just take my business full time. And I was terrified to do it. But I was at work, and I typed up my resignation letter. And I printed it out at work. And then I just went and took it to my boss. And of course, they were upset, but I don't know. This was

Jamie Stephens: 6:11

like, in the moment, you're like, Yeah, okay, eff it. I'm done.

Unknown: 6:16

Yeah, cuz I knew if I thought about it any longer, I would talk myself out of it. Because I didn't have the full support from my parents that I really wish I had, because they were like, oh, but that's a stable job. Yeah, you have that, you know, even during COVID, you still were getting paid. So I had that in the back of my head, like either, right? Like, maybe I shouldn't? What if I fail at my business? And then I need a job again. But I did have the support of photographers who also did that thing. And they were like, just do it just, it's going to be the best decision you make. And I cry. When I turned in my resignation letter. I'm a very emotional person. And just seeing the look on my boss's face. I know they didn't want me to leave. But it was just time. It was just time.

Jamie Stephens: 7:00

Yeah, no, I get that. And it's almost like, I, it sounds like you're maybe the the along the similar lines where it's like, it's fine. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. And then all of a sudden, it's just not like, and I can't continue another minute, because it's like, I'm just done with this. But yeah, I get that sentiment, for sure. I mean, it's hard to go into work when you've got other things that are really kind of pulling you that you would rather be doing that you're excited about doing. And I mean, did you get to work from home during COVID? Or were you still in the office or whatever?

Unknown: 7:38

No, I did not. So I was I at first I was a teller. So there was like no way to work from home being a teller. And then when I got promoted, I was like a relationship banker. And they gave, they gave us the option to work from home, but not in our current role. So we would have to be the call center. And I was like, No, I'd rather keep working at the banking center, because I had just promoted into that role. So I wanted to learn, and I wanted to try it out. And I don't really know if it's like the whole stress of COVID Hitting made me rethink my nine to five. Or if it was just really my business that was like, Okay, it's time to just take that on full time. But it just it I don't know, it just happened all of a sudden, like, I thought I could juggle both. And I realized my anxiety was horrible. I felt depressed all the time. My boyfriend and I, we were not doing good. Like, everybody in my life, besides my parents were because like, I don't spend as much time with them. But they everybody was telling me like, you have to give one up. And I was like, Well, I don't want to give up my photo business. Like, that's the last thing I'm gonna do. And they were like, well, you have to make a decision, because you're always working. And it's not good for you. Like, it's not you don't you don't need to be doing this. So yeah, it just kind of all happened all of a sudden, where I was like, Okay, I need to decide. And then I did and yeah,

Jamie Stephens: 9:09

I mean, besides just being fed up and stuff like that kept your photography business, replaced your income or matched your income or come close to where you felt like, okay, I can really make a go of this.

Unknown: 9:21

Yes. So I was making the same yearly as I was making at the bank, through photography. And I think that's when I really started to realize like, okay, maybe I could quit my job and do this full time because if I had, I was working 40 hours a week at the bank, and if I had those extra 40 hours to put towards my business, I could probably be doubling what I'm making now in my business. And I would talk myself out of it. I would say no, that's not going to happen. And it took me forever to finally make the decision but I wasn't planning towards quitting my job. But I was saving just in case that moment ever did come. Like where I would feel safe, or I would feel ready. And that moment never comes, I feel like you never feel ready to do it, you just have to kind of decide. I started looking at how much I was making. And I just decided I was like, you know, what, if I can make the same amount of making the bank while I'm still at a full time job, I can probably completely replace and double what I was making at the bank, with my business. And you've still got a long time.

Jamie Stephens: 10:34

I mean, you're you're young, for those that are just listening to the audio you I think you said you're 25 Yes, yeah, yeah, I mean, so like to get started now. And to have that freedom now and just build upon that for the next decade. I mean, girl, you're golden. It's just like, what, what an inspiration for people that are our younger that are just getting started. The experience that you had with photography in high school, was that your only like formal training? Or did you take any other classes or like editing things? Like, how did you really become that full package? Because your work is just beautiful. I mean, like, you have a way of capturing moments. I mean, if you're not looking at her Instagram, you need to go see, but it's just so real and vulnerable. And I just love the way that you capture people. So like, how did you learn to do that?

Unknown: 11:29

No, I did not take any classes. At first, I started learning on YouTube. So when my mom first got me my camera, I was like, Okay, I want to learn how to use it properly. So I would YouTube, a bunch of like, how to shoot this way, or how to shoot that. And basically learning the basics of my camera. And my boyfriend works in the film industry. So I, he would tell me like, Okay, you should probably look into how to shoot in RAW or manual, things that I had no idea about. He knew. So he would tell me this is like, important. So you should learn how to do that. So I would YouTube it. And then while I was working at the bank, on my lunch hour, I would also be YouTubing. Certain things just to keep learning just to keep using my camera. And then I also YouTubed on how to use like Lightroom and Photoshop. So I did a lot of YouTubing YouTube was my teacher, YouTube was my friend. And then I also would sign up once I started kind of finding other photographers, I would sign up for their workshops, and mentorships and styled shoots, I bought a bunch of like guides from one specific photographer. I love her work. And I loved the way she would teach. And so I would buy a bunch of guides from her on how to like backup and how to shoot in manual and stuff like that. So that's how I learned a lot of my stuff. Awesome.

Jamie Stephens: 12:58

And whenever you were going and trying to find these mentors and these teachers, where were you finding them to like build your network of people,

Unknown: 13:06

Instagram, Instagram was a lot different back then the algorithm wasn't like it is now. So I just started I would look up photographers, and then they would start coming up on my like, Explore page. And if I liked their work, I would follow them. And I would just kind of keep up with them. And anytime they would host anything I would try to sign up or buy their online courses because a lot of them were not from Arkansas. So I would try to do anything that they had like online.

Jamie Stephens: 13:38

And so one of the things that really has like drawn me to your work is the way that you are able to just capture lives real moments with people, I just want to be like on the other side of the camera and book a session so I can see what your what your magic is. But like, what you capture is just so raw and just real. It's just like the most beautiful realness of people. And I I'm just wondering what you do to really capture that.

Unknown: 14:06

Okay, yeah, thank you. That is the goal. I do a lot of directing. I try not to pose as much. I tried to direct depending on what the type of session it is, for family sessions, walking tickling each other. Especially if there's a baby or like a younger child, a tickling brings out those real candid laughs And then like with couples or engagements, I get them to whisper in each other's ears or anything else. One of my favorite prompts is like to whisper into the other person's ear and your sexiest voice ever what you want for dinner tonight, and it feels weird to them. And so it naturally makes them want to laugh and kind of react to each other. And that's kind of what brings out those natural emotions in people. So when I'm shooting Hang, I tried to just kind of have them be with each other. So as you're kind of talking and touching each other and just kind of being yourselves, I'll be like, back there shooting, and you'll hear my camera clicking Lee because I, I will shoot a lot, because I'm going to try to get like that perfect shot of you laughing or I don't know interacting with your person. And I do pose towards the end of it, I'll be like, Okay, let's do that typical, like smiling at the camera, hugging each other photo that grandma and grandpa want hung on their fridge. Because you you kind of want a mixture

Jamie Stephens: 15:37

of those. I hear you mentioned a lot of like directing versus posing and all of that. So would you say that your boyfriend being in the film industry, like had a lot of direction into that or influence on the way that you really kind of learned to shoot and style people.

Unknown: 15:54

So he helped me a lot. When I first started, he would be that every shoot with me to the point where my clients thought he was part of the business. He was I mean, he was fantastic. Yes, he helped me a lot in the directing. He would give me pointers and like on the drive home after a shoot, he'd be like, Okay, I think maybe you should try this next time. Or do this differently, or maybe have them do this in another way, he was helping me a lot. And then I also got some cards from another photographer who was selling their prompts to help your clients feel more comfortable in front of the camera. So I bought them, because I was like, Oh, this is gonna be a game changer. And I would give them to him during the shoot. And so during the shoot, he'd be like, Okay, do this one, have them do this one, I think they would like this one, or I think they would have fun with this one. So it got to the point where I was doing those prompts, that I would start memorizing them. I no longer needed the cards. And then I started coming up with my own prompts. And it kind of got to the point where I no longer needed him because like I was getting so comfortable with my directing that it just I don't know, it just became like, second nature, I guess. And so

Jamie Stephens: 17:09

I'm curious how you were able to even in the beginning, take that kind of very direct feedback from somebody because I know just personally like if you're, you're working on your own business, you have your own vision and these sorts of things. And then somebody's like, Okay, well, you should have done this. And you should even though best intentions, you know, you want to receive it, did you have a wall go up or that you had to work through? Or were you just able to like naturally receive that feedback.

Unknown: 17:39

So if you would have asked me that when I first started, I think my answer would have been different. Because now now he doesn't go with me to my shoots. But now if he kind of tries to tell me that I should do something different. I'm like, one thing, so I just I was so insecure back then, in my work and myself in general that back then I appreciated his feedback and him helping me because I didn't know what I was doing. And I felt like other people didn't know what I was doing. So having somebody that comes from the film industry that knows what they're doing having him there. I was like, oh, that's the only reason why they take me serious is because he's here. So, no, I didn't put up a wall until I started becoming more confident in myself and in my work. Because I was totally different. Yeah. Now if he tries to tell me something, I'm like, No, I know what I'm doing. I don't think I need to do that. Even though sometimes he is right. Like, with lighting. I've been trying to learn like flash and off camera lighting and stuff. And he that's his field. That's what he does in the film industry. And so it does kind of I'm just like, I learned how to build a business. I think I can learn how to do lighting on my own. But yeah, I don't know. It's it's different. I really appreciated it back then. And I'm thankful for him for all the help.

Jamie Stephens: 19:10

So how would you say that you gained that confidence, just keep showing up. And, um,

Unknown: 19:17

honestly, fake it till you make it. And that's one thing he taught me because man, I used to be so insecure back then. And you would just be like, you gotta fake it till you make it baby. And I'd be like, Okay, I really don't think I gained my confidence until COVID hit. And by then I had already been in business three years. So like I was already doing a lot of work. But I was always insecure about my work. I didn't think it was good enough. I didn't think I was good enough podcasts from other photographers. They would always talk about how you have to have a brand. As a photographer, you have to have a brand you have to know who your ideal client is. And that would stress me out because I didn't know what my My brand was I didn't know what my ideal client was. And so then I started to really like, sit down and think about like, what do I want? When people look at my work? When people come onto my website or my Instagram page? What do I want them to see? What do I want them to feel 2020 was when I really started putting intention behind my work. Like I was no longer trying to take a pretty picture or do what was trendy, or get the models that were trendy, I was no longer trying to do that I was showing up for my client and making sure that I was telling their story the way they wanted their story to be told. And it just really shifted the way I saw my business, the way I saw what my purpose in this business was, I think I can kind of speak for everyone 2020 It was a really hard year mentally for a lot of people, including myself. So I started a series of started a woman empowerment series. And that's when I knew when I started that series, I was like, This is what this is what my brand is, I want people to come on here and feel welcomed and loved and beautiful. I know getting your photo taken is really like, it makes you nervous. Because you don't know what you look like. And I want you to be comfortable, I want you to know that you're beautiful in every way possible.

Jamie Stephens: 21:23

I mean, it just goes to show like whenever we shift that focus from ourselves on to like, turn that spotlight away, because like, whenever you first go into business, you're like, Okay, it's about me and what I'm building and this thing, and that's really an uncomfortable place to be. But you think that that's how you have to do it. Then once you actually turn the spotlight and start to really focus it on the women you want to help or the people you want to help the things that you want the way that you want to show up and interact the way that you want to impact the world. I mean, it just changes everything. And it allows that space and that joy to just kind of bubble up to where it's not. And I mean, we just saw that, because you're just like, I wanted this and this, you know, I mean it, but it's just like, whenever you reach that, I mean, that's the whole, you know, to where it's just like, Ah, okay, I get it, like everything is kind of falling into place, it's clicking into place, because you have really just kind of found your purpose. And I think like, it just makes such a big difference. It's like, well, your purpose is to highlight these incredible people and all of their humanity and exactly where they are, and just show how beautiful each and every one of us is. And I just think that that's I mean, I love it.

Unknown: 22:43

Yeah, looking back at it before 2020, I would look at my business. And I would be like, I don't feel like it's growing. I don't feel like it's going anywhere. I don't feel like I'm doing enough. And so I would really focus on like, what's popular right now, what's getting featured, what are people liking. And so I would try to mimic that. But it just wouldn't come off as authentic, at least to me, it wouldn't come off as authentic and never felt true. And then when I was like, I'm just not going to care about that anymore. It like it just totally changed everything. And I felt like people started coming to me more because they could connect with my story. They could connect with my clients stories. They saw themselves in my photographs, and it just totally changed everything. I have met the most amazing people through my woman empowerment series. And I don't know, it's just been totally kinda like what you're saying, like when you first start business. And when you first start a business, you're thinking, Okay, it's about me, me, me, but like, really, you? It's about the client? I don't know. Like you're there for them. How

Jamie Stephens: 23:51

can I serve? Like when you get to that point where it's like, not how can I make money, but like, How can I show up authentically? How can I enjoy what I'm doing and serve other people? Whenever you focus on that I feel like the money is just like second. I mean, it just comes because you're being true to who you are.

Unknown: 24:12

I totally agree. And it's crazy that you bring that point up because when I decided to go full time with my business, I didn't feel like I had my parents support because in their eyes photography is just a hobby, right? You can't actually make a career out of it. So to them, they were like you're gonna regret doing this because once you go into business full time, it's no longer gonna become it's no longer gonna be because of the art is no longer gonna be because you're passionate about this. It's going to become a business to where you're trying. You're trying to make money. Like your main focus is going to be okay, how do I make money? And I understood what they were saying. And I was always afraid of that. I never wanted my business to become, oh, hey, I need money. I need money I need to make money this month. I wanted it to stay, or I wanted it to stay because I was passionate about it. And so I was afraid of that happening. But thankfully, that's not how things turned out. And now my parents look at me and they're like, wow, like you actually, you did that, like you are kind of proving that you don't have to follow the traditional route after high school.

Jamie Stephens: 25:24

So tell me more about the women's empowerment series. Like I know, it started during COVID. But tell me more about like the purpose behind it, and what kind of women you've been photographing and your favorite story, if you have one.

Unknown: 25:39

I don't even know how I came up with the idea. So I have always struggled with accepting and loving my body. And myself, like I mentioned, I used to be really insecure. So when COVID hit, work was slow. There wasn't a lot of it. And I was missing. Shooting, I really wanted to start shooting again. And I was hanging out with my friends. And I don't I really don't remember how I just thought of it. But I was like, Guys, I think I want to start like a series like a photo series. And they were both like, okay, like, what's it going to be about? And I was like, I think I want it to be about women. And they're like, Oh, heck, yeah. Okay, so what, like, what are we? What are we going to do? And they were my first models. I was like, I think I want to break all the rules about being a woman, like, I want to make people uncomfortable, because I've always heard that, like, I don't exactly remember how that quote goes, but like art should make you feel uncomfortable. And so I was like, let's, let's make people uncomfortable. I wanted to do everything that we're told not to do. So when I first started it, my friends were my first models. I had them topless, I had them showing off their back their scars that they had on their bellies, their cellulite on their legs. They were covering their their chests, but were still you were still kind of able to see, like the side view and they had no makeup on. Because I was like, I want you to be natural. I want you to be in your natural hair. I want you to just be yourself. And so we did it in my backyard. And I was like This was so fun. I'm so excited to share these. And so I did I shared the first post on Instagram. And a lot of them a lot of people love them. A lot of people hated them. People were like, Oh, the morals just said yes to this because they want attention. They were they want their body to be seen. They want compliments. They're fishing for compliments. And that made me angry. And so I was like, Okay, I'm gonna keep doing this. I'm gonna keep making people mad fuel

Jamie Stephens: 28:04

to the fire.

Unknown: 28:07

Because nothing makes me more upset than when somebody tells a woman what they can and can't do. I don't know it just like, it really angered me. And so I was like, You know what, I'm gonna keep doing this. So I didn't want a call on Instagram. And I got a bunch of girls that were interested in it. So I got girls that were all different sizes. So I got one girl that she's very skinny. And she has stretch marks. And one of her insecurities was that she was always told she was too skinny. And just like somebody can say you're too big. It's just as offensive if someone says you're too big, or you're too skinny. So I was like, Okay, let's photograph that. Let's tell that story. So I photographed her legs, her, her belly, her arms. And I loved that. And all of those photos, you could see the imperfections, the things that she was insecure about. And I posted those and I posted her story. The feedback that I got on that was different than the one on my friend. I don't know why, really. But I just kept doing it. And then I had another friend who was a bigger girl. She was plus sized and I photographed her. And it just I don't it just kind of like everybody was just kind of like, oh my gosh, this is amazing. I want to book a shoot like this because I can relate to this girl story. And I also have a story that I want to tell and I want you to photograph it and so I was like getting flooded with girls that wanted their story to be told. And I was like, Oh my gosh, like I I just didn't expect that kind of reaction. And so I did the series and I told a bunch of girls stories. One of my favorite ones she She had been, she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship. My favorite thing is, is that I did this all my backyard, like, it wasn't a crazy setup. It wasn't a studio or anything crazy, they would come to my backyard, and they would tell me their story, they would cry. And they would just be like, I'm doing these photos for me. I'm not doing them for anyone else. I'm not doing them to get attention. Or to fish for compliments. I'm doing it because I'm ready to have my story told, and I'm ready to learn from it and grow from it. So this girl had just gotten out of an abusive relationship. And she told me her story. And I just, I mean, I just sat there and I cried with her. And I heard her. And I took her pictures, and we focused a lot on where she would be abused. So I would have her kind of grabbing herself, hugging herself in all different ways. And when I sent her the photos, like, she was just like, this is this is exactly what I wanted. Like, I wanted to show how strong I am and how much I've grown and how strong I am for leaving and I don't know, it just it, it's I just can't believe that I've had the opportunity to meet this these women and help them grow in their own. Like from their own traumas from their own insecurities. The thing that I think really spoke to people was that at the end of the series, I photographed myself, well actually had my boyfriend photograph me but because I was like, you know, I'm, I'm doing this for all these girls. And I have to do it myself. Like I can't be telling people love yourself except yourself. One, I'm not doing that either. So, at the end of the series, I decided to photograph myself. And I took some eyeliner. And I wrote all over my body words that I had been called. That made me feel less than and I don't know, I can't believe I'm getting emotional right now. But I wrote all of these words all over my body. Oscar took my pictures. That's my boyfriend's name. I was topless. Just like every other girl in the entire series. He was like, What do you want me to take pictures of I was like my stomach. And then I was like my arms, my chest like everything that I've been insecure about photograph that my back rolls, he took pictures of my back rolls. And then he was like, Okay, what now? And I was like, well, now I'm gonna wipe the words off. And then I started wiping the words off. And I was crying in the pictures. As I was wiping the words off, I was like, That's me saying no, like no more. I'm not going to take that anymore. I'm not going to accept other people's opinions about me, because they don't matter. And they're not true. Like whatever the people's opinions are, that does not matter. What matters is how I think about myself and how I treat myself. Yeah, and those are the ones that like, people were like, holy crap, like, if she can do this, I can do this.

Jamie Stephens: 33:18

So beautiful. Hold on. I mean, number one, I think it's just so important for people to really just be seen. We so often just don't let our guard down enough. Like as a society for people to really, we're so afraid of what everybody thinks or what other people's opinions are, that we really struggle to let that armor down because we've been hurt and we you know, people's words can hurt us and until you internalize and give yourself the love that you need. I mean, that's such the big difference because it's like once you heal your own wounds and love yourself in that way, like everything else, like everybody's words, they're just like eyeliner that you're just wiping off. Like it doesn't fucking matter. Like it's just other people's opinions are none of your business whenever you can finally get that and to be seen and to be seen and all of the ways that we think that we have to change for people or that we're ashamed of my youngest daughter, biological daughter is shut out. I'm now 20 years old. I'm like, How old am I? She's 20 years old. And it's like her whole life. She has seen me that mother's apron you know, like that little belly right underneath your belly button that you just hate and it's like it's only been within the last like year or two that I've really just been like, I created humans in this body. Like, I can learn to love this piece, it's clearly it's not going away. It's not just baby weight anymore. This is just part of who I am, you know, and just coming to that realization, but it's so healing. And it's so beautiful that you gave that to so many women and the fact that it lives on that, you know, people can go back and see that like on your Instagram and connect with those stories. I think that that's really, it's really powerful. And I love that you're that you did that. I think you should turn it into like a coffee table book personally.

Unknown: 35:36

I've never thought of that.

Jamie Stephens: 35:38

Yeah, I mean, think of all the stories you could tell and the way that it could get out. I mean,

Unknown: 35:43

so I had, um, I had an art gallery in November of 2020, with all of the photos. And it was, I mean, it was an emotional thing for me, and for the models, because they showed up. And they saw their big photos being displayed for everyone to see. And I think one thing we all kind of learned from it was, we are so hard on ourselves, we are we are our own worst critic, because we notice all these little things about our bodies that really like to other people. It's not, I don't know how I don't know how to, like herbs

Jamie Stephens: 36:29

that we dis ourselves are, like, four are like the curves that other people see. And like, that's part of our beauty. You know, I mean, like just looking at yourself, like, through somebody else's eyes that loves you. And like what they will see. And it just, it totally changes how you feel about you know,

Unknown: 36:50

yeah, I had, um, one of the models, she was very young, she had tried to commit suicide multiple times. And I photographed her. I photographed her scars, I photographed every single part of her. And when I had the art gallery, I asked each model, which photo are you comfortable with me printing and putting up. And she chose one where she's smiling. She's looking right at the camera. And the beautiful photo, I still have it. One somebody that came to view the gallery, they came up to me and they were like, what's her story? And I told him, and he was like, I never would have gotten that. Like, I never would have thought that was her story. And I was like, What do you mean? And he was like, she looks happy. And he was like you captured her. So like, she looks bright and shiny. And he was like, she looks beautiful in that photo. And I was like, well, thank you like, I'm, I'm glad you see it like that. And I was like, because that's exactly what I was trying to show her that she looked like, like I was trying to show her that she's so beautiful. And she's an amazing person. And I hate that as women we've had to struggle with so much. And so I really hope that when women look at those photos, they feel seen and they feel heard, like a lot of the ones that I have photographed have been postpartum too. And I think it's so hard for women to like, accept that their body changes after birth, and that it's okay. And I had one client in particular, she was like, I want to do this, this and that. And I was trying to like look up inspiration to like create a mood board for her. And every time that I would type in postpartum photos or photography or anything like that, all that would come up would be how to lose 30 pounds after giving birth or how to get back to your size 10 After having a child or how to get back in shape that is so unhealthy for somebody to see, after having their body changed completely and struggling with that. Like, I can't believe that that's what's on the internet. There's no sort of support for women out there who are struggling to accept the fact that their body is changing and that it is normal. Like that is expected it is normal. It does not make you any less than or anything. And it just it it just makes me so mad that there's not enough support out there.

Jamie Stephens: 39:35

I get that may go back to the book. Breaking the buck, Elizabeth.

Unknown: 39:42

I said that's a good idea.

Jamie Stephens: 39:44

So speaking of like as we kind of wrap up here, like what is next on the horizon for you. I'm just gonna get nerdy for a second but like, Have you thought about ways to expand your business or are you just going all in with the photographs So right now I'm just I'm like, I love your style. And I'm wondering, are you mentoring other people so that more people are going to spread this message that you have, I mean, I just all the things,

Unknown: 40:10

I get asked to mentor, I get really nervous. Right now, it's been a year since I quit my job. So I'm still kind of soaking it all in, taking it all in and kind of allowing myself to grow. Because I was so used to having that nine to five that I'm learning how to really give my business all of my attention. And like where I need to give the most attention when and stuff. So right now, I think I'm just allowing myself to enjoy this moment. In the long run, I think I do want to start mentoring. So I am doing like a styled shoot next week, actually, where I am going to have a woman empowerment session set up. And I'm going to talk about how I carry this the setup, and how I really capture their story, to make sure that their story is heard and that they Excuse me, are really getting what they are wanting out of the session. Because I don't want it to just feel like oh, okay, she took some pictures of me. That's it. Like, I want them to look at their photos and be like, Oh my gosh, like this is exactly what I wanted. So I'm dipping my toes into that area to see how it goes. And to see the response that I get. I'm very nervous, just because this series has been something that's it's like my baby, it's been something that I'm so proud of, and that I'm so thankful for. And I've had, I've seen a lot of other photographers tried to replicate it, and it's fine, totally fine. I love that I have inspired other people to try to start capturing other people's journeys. I'm nervous. I'm just nervous. But I think I do want to start mentoring and offering more of that in the long run. I don't know, I don't know if I answered your question. I'm

Jamie Stephens: 42:17

sorry. No, no, that's perfect. Yeah, I mean, if I can offer one suggestion, my only thought would be like as you do that, just start documenting, as far as writing down how you're feeling while you're doing because that's the stuff like when you go to share with people. That's the stuff that we need more people to talk about, like, Hey, I am nervous, I'm nervous about this. I'm tired of the stories to where it's like, I quit my job and made a million dollars in three months, you know, it was no easy. You know, it's more like it's a process. And there's a personal journey that comes with it. Like your business grows in proportion to your personal growth. I mean, it's really as you expand, like you can take more of that on. And I think it'd be beautiful if you just start documenting those stories and those feelings for yourself. So that you'll have that to look back on as part of your own empowerment story. And I just, I think it's beautiful.

Unknown: 43:17

Thank you. Yeah, it's been it's been tough. I mean, when I quit my job, I wasn't peak season, like it was busy season I was in the summer, or like, summer or spring, it was spring. And so I was like, Oh, I've got this, I've got shoots booked. So I'm good. And then slow season here. And it's been tough to adjust to. But I just kept believing that I was going to be okay, and that I was gonna get through it. And I'm out of slow season and I survived. And it's been good. So I just, yeah, you just have to trust yourself and you have to trust your business, that it's gonna be fine.

Jamie Stephens: 44:01

Yeah, there's definitely that learning curve. Just breaking free from a steady paycheck every two weeks or doing things at a certain time every day because this is what you've built. You know, it's just like, all of that freedom. It's like, sometimes like a kid in a candy store where you don't even know where to start, you know, so absolutely agree. It's just a process of like, oh, okay, this is this feels good. This is what I should be doing for a while. So yeah, yeah, it's all a journey. Well, Elizabeth, tell people where they can find you where they can learn more about your women's empowerment series work with you hire you all the good things.

Unknown: 44:41

I am on Instagram. It's E. Salas. 05. So e s a LAZ 05. I'm on Facebook. Elizabeth sells her photography. And then my website is Elizabeth Salazar. photography.com.

Jamie Stephens: 44:57

Awesome and I will link all those in the show notes and And thank you so much for coming on. It's so fun to people within the same area that are doing the things and they Howery women.

Unknown: 45:09

Yeah, thank you for having me. I loved it.

Jamie Stephens: 45:12

I really just want to give a big thank you to Elizabeth for her time and vulnerability on this episode. I really love this conversation. I also encourage you to go check out her women's empowerment series that's on her website and really think about how you can be kinder to yourself. Okay, some of the key takeaways from this episode are number one, what feels right. When you're at a crossroads. A lot of people may have opinions about what you should do. But check in with yourself and what feels good. What are you excited to work on and what's pulling you. Number two, remove the split energy. Even though you may worry about stability and consistency in your new venture. When you walk away from what's no longer serving you and move towards your passion. That feels amazing because you get to quit splitting your time and energy. Number three, fake it till you make it impostor syndrome is really all anytime you're starting something new. It's natural to feel nervous, insecure, not good enough. But this is where the growth begins. When we push ourselves beyond our old boundaries, and gain confidence, because we're doing the thing, it becomes beautiful. Number four, shift your perspective. When you learn to shift your focus from yourself and what you're doing and instead shift the spotlight to who you're serving. It's game changing in your business. It's not how can I make money? It's how can I serve? Number five, be authentic when you start trusting yourself and your message and start showing up exactly how you want to some people love it. And some people hate it. And that's perfect. It's not a problem for people to have opinions and see themselves out. When you're true to yourself the right people and the money will start to show up. Number six, be seen. Know that you are beautiful, you are worthy. Other people's opinions are not your truth. Don't hide in the shadows Walk boldly be seen and heard. Tell your story and elevate yourself and others around you. Okay, that's it for this week. You guys can find all of Elizabeth's links in the show notes and also just to correct the record my daughter is 19 not 20. So for quick math. Anyway, I hope you all have a fabulous week and to all the mamas out there a fantastic Mother's Day