What We’ve Learned After Years Behind the Lens

I’ve probably taken well over 100,000 photos (yeah… I think I have a problem) since I first picked up a camera—maybe more. What started as a hobby—just me and my digital Kodak, capturing candid moments and people I loved—has become a full-time portrait photography business I now run with my husband, Son.

We’re based in Temecula, California, and while we specialize in portrait photography, we’ve also covered everything from events and family sessions to commercial shoots and real estate listings. It’s been years of trial, error, growth, and a whole lot of beautiful memories.

If you’re a new photographer, a seasoned pro, or just curious about what it’s like behind the lens, here’s a real, unfiltered look into what we’ve learned.

The Reality Behind Running a Portrait Photography Business

People often picture portrait photographers as always smiling behind the camera, capturing golden hour magic and editing in cozy cafes. Sometimes, sure—but most of the time, it’s sweat, early mornings, late nights, heavy gear, and a lot of behind-the-scenes logistics.

We’ve had sessions that were pure magic—clients who radiated joy, perfect lighting, and everything just clicked. But we’ve also had bookings where we ended up net negative—spending more on gas, props, or time than we earned. Especially in the early days, working as portrait photographers in Southern California, we took on a lot just to build our portfolio and reputation.

But those experiences—good and bad—taught us more than any course or classroom ever could.

5 Hard-Earned Lessons from a Full-Time Temecula Portrait Photographer

1. Passion alone isn’t enough—but it’s essential.
You can love photography with your whole heart (and we do), but that doesn’t make it a sustainable business. Running a successful portrait photography business in Temecula means understanding pricing, contracts, licensing, communication, marketing—and having the confidence to charge what you're worth.

2. Not all exposure pays off.
We’ve done plenty of "let's collab!" and “trade for portfolio” shoots when we started. Some of them helped us grow. Others drained us. If you’re a new Southern California photographer, learn to identify which opportunities will actually move the needle for your business. Don’t undervalue your time or skills.

3. People remember how you made them feel.
One of the best parts of being a portrait photographer is connecting with people. They might come for a headshot or family session—but what keeps them coming back is how you made them feel. Clients don’t just want good photos; they want to feel seen, guided, and taken care of.

4. You will make mistakes—and that’s okay.
We've forgotten equipment. Shown up to the wrong location (yep). Left our flash behind (ouch). But every mistake has helped us grow into more prepared, intentional photographers. If you’re working in portrait photography—especially fast-paced shoots like engagements or branding sessions—own your mistakes, learn, and move on.

5. Don’t be afraid to evolve—and communicate through it.
We rebranded from stephanielephotography.com to lastminutephotoshoot.com when we realized it was time to reflect who we had become. It wasn’t goodbye—it was see you later. That change helped us align with clients who resonate with our current vision: relaxed, last-minute, high-quality portrait photography in Temecula and beyond.

And here's the truth: communication is everything.

• With clients: be clear, walk them through the booking and shooting process, set expectations, and follow through. It builds trust and leads to referrals.

• With your partner: if you're running a business together (like we are), schedule regular check-ins. We meet weekly to talk about business goals, strategy, and creative direction. Those convos keep us aligned and sane.

Why We Love Being Temecula Portrait Photographers

We recently moved to Temecula, and it’s honestly a photographer’s paradise. The rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards, historic architecture, and charming downtown are full of texture and life. Whether we’re capturing engagement sessions, branding portraits, or spontaneous lifestyle shoots, there’s always a new corner to discover. The natural light here is unbeatable, and the variety of locations makes it a dream for any portrait photographer.

But here’s the thing—you don’t have to live in a “picture-perfect” place to grow your photography skills.

Wherever you are, go explore your own neighborhood. Walk your community, camera in hand. Take pictures of anything and anybody—your friends, pets, a stranger’s cool jacket, a flower pushing through a sidewalk crack. Shoot the everyday. That’s how you sharpen your eye and find your voice.

We started this business long before we ever had access to dreamy backdrops or styled setups. We just made do with what we had. And that mindset still fuels our work today.

Great photography isn’t about the location—it’s about the way you see it.

Tips for New Portrait Photographers

Whether you're just picking up a camera or thinking about going full-time in portrait photography, here are a few things we’ve learned that might help you:

• Shoot for yourself. Personal work fuels your creativity and keeps burnout at bay.

• Back up everything. Twice. Maybe three times.

• Keep learning. Invest in courses, workshops, or mentorships—especially from other portrait photographers in California whose work inspires you.

• Ask for feedback. It might sting, but it’ll make you better.

• Trust your gut. If a job or collaboration feels off, honor that feeling.

• Protect your time. Don’t say yes to everything. Be strategic.

Final Thoughts

Running our own portrait photography business has taught us more than we ever imagined—not just about photography, but about ourselves. We’ve learned how to be resilient, how to connect, how to run a business, and how to make art that matters.

If you’re in the middle of your own journey—whether you're shooting in your backyard or taking clients all over Southern California—know that every step counts. Every photo you take brings you closer to your voice, your vision, and your dream.

And if you're ever in Temecula and looking for someone to capture your moment—we’d love to hear from you.