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

Hi Ariel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I invest in myself and never ever settle for “good enough.” Being content with being meh, mediocre, good enough will forever hold you back from excellence. I strive to be the best at everything I do. Achieving excellence is not without sacrifice though. It’s expensive and time-consuming, but will come back to you 100 fold in the long run. Over the course of my business, I’ve invested in MANY courses and training—everything from how to find the best natural light, to portfolio curation, to money mindset, to SEO. All have been equally as important. I also consume an insane number of podcasts and books.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Whether it’s an engagement shoot or the wedding day, working with me will feel more like a memory and less like a photoshoot. I create a highly personalized experience for each of my couples that allows me to capture authentic moments between them. Each couple is different and each has a story to tell. Some are timeless and elegant, some are romantic and dreamy, some are edgy and spicy, and I love them all! I’ve been busy over the last few months getting to know all of my 2024 couples and shooting their engagement photos. I have some super rad couples next year and I can not wait for their weddings!! Also, there is change on the horizon for Magnolia West Photography. We’re going bi-coastal! We will still be based in Los Angeles but are expanding our business to include the East Coast and will begin serving Savannah, GA and the Lowcountry starting in 2024.

Success was not overnight, I didn’t do it alone, and it definitely wasn’t easy. The wedding industry is all about relationships, and I’ve been super intentional about cultivating them. There are so many people I could thank for helping me along the way. I couldn’t possibly list them all, but Thea Hargrove, publisher of California Wedding Day magazine, saw something in me before I (or anyone else) did. She took a chance on me and propelled me into the luxury market before I felt I was ready. It was sink or swim, and I was determined to be the best. Fast forward two years… I was recently awarded “Best Photographer in Malibu & Ventura.” It’s been a lot of work but totally worth it.

Never settle for “good enough.” You should always be leveling up.
Don’t confine yourself with limiting beliefs. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. It sounds so cliché, but once I learned to shift my mindset from small, limited, narrow minded thoughts and opened my mind to dreams and possibilities, it changed my perspective of the world and creative ideas began to flow. I am achieving things I never thought were possible.

Connecting with brides and making them feel comfortable and confident is my superpower. As someone who has been in and around the wedding industry for nearly 20 years, when you hire me you are not only gaining a photographer but also a true professional, advisor and trusted friend.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A perfect day in LA with my bestie would consist of a sunrise hike at the Griffith Observatory (because it’s totally worth seeing!!), followed by brunch at The Hideaway and shopping on Rodeo Drive. Mid-afternoon calls for a sweet treat at Gucci Osteria. We would finish off the day on the 16th floor of Perch LA with live music and sunset cocktails.

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 am deeply inspired by some of the best in the industry. KT Merry and D’arcy Benincosa are two of the most influential in my life and work right now. I love KT Merry’s style. She uses a mix of film and digital formats. Her eye for lighting, composition and editing is unmatched. She inspires me to continue working on my craft and not become complacent. D’arcy Benincosa inspires me to dream big and think outside of the box. She’s a 7-figure photographer/entrepreneur and a marketing wizard.

I love what I do, but it’s not without sacrifice. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge and thank my husband, Brandon. He’s my rock and source of constant encouragement and support.

Website: https://magnoliawestphotography.com

Instagram: @magnoliawestphotography

Image Credits
Magnolia West Photography

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