Meet Arturo Nunez | Photographer/ Videographer/ Owner of Clips Photography & Videography

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

Hi Arturo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process regarding starting my own business was kind of an evolution of a desire to want to do more with this thing called photography but I felt hindered by the camera I had at the time. It wasn’t a bad camera at all and as a matter of fact, I still have and use it to this day as a secondary. However, at the time that’s what I felt. I have had many hobbies in my life and with most of those hobbies I spent a lot of money I didn’t really have. I never followed through on anything really, and now as a single father that worked so hard for my money I didn’t really have the means to drop money on any new equipment, I told myself “You will only buy a new camera if the camera I had made the money”. I was kind of a test for myself to see if I could do it. It took a lot longer than expected but I finally did it! After that it was just a snowball of opportunities I had to seize so, one camera two became starting an Instagram, to a website, to filing a DBA and getting legit business license.

What should our readers know about your business?
I got my first break when the City of Lancaster’s communication team found me on Instagram a few years ago. It originally started by getting asked, can we share this photo or that photo you took? SURE! I mean I was just a guy who took pictures of the city events I attended. Having a picture I took shared by my city was amazing, still is! That next year I was asked to freelance a small event here and there. Now I shoot freelance for my city year-round.

It was hard at first, I mean I know I took great pictures, but I quickly learned there was more to it. I couldn’t just do the Street Photography thing and shoot from a distance, I needed to get up in the action but I’m a natural introvert, so it took some getting used to for sure. It’s a hard thing when being an introverted photographer, like you don’t want to come off like a creep lol. But, as more people recognized me and welcomed me to take a pic or two it got easier. Once I was able to cope with my personal issues, I think that’s when I really started to develop. I was able to let go of my fears and focus back on getting cool shots, you know, bring the artistic side of things back into play. Not just the “Say cheese” images you see all the time.

I pride myself at being the photographer of my city, and by that I mean yes, I shoot for two cities but I’m there to capture the people interacting with their environment. I really do try my best to get cool shots of people for the entities I freelance for in hopes they will share, print and use the images in publications. Its super cool to get messages from people telling me they saw themselves in a post or magazine.

The same goes for businesses really. At first it was just product photography and location work but I felt it was too sterile and an overly saturated market. So, I started doing lifestyle like images for businesses, adding people and placing them in more natural situations interacting with the product(s). Once I got the hang of it, that was it. I loved it, the clients and actors loved it and I saw some really good engagement on the social media side of things. I mean, we also got a lot of perks doing it as well lol. Free drinks, food and products. Most of the time it was family and friends playing the part of patrons so you bet they were happy to do it for free most the time (Pro Tip)

I have learned a lot of lessons over the past few years . One being, never under value yourself. Sure, we all hear this and yes, we all got to start somewhere but do some research and see what others are charging and then gauge your worth in an honest way. Its always the low paying clients that give me such a hard time. I mean we all want a “Great Value” but when you get people that don’t smile and have resting p**py face, its hard to deliver beautiful photos. Higher paying clients are so much easier to work with for the most part. I think its because they are usually more organized and know what they want and just need you there to do your job and do it well. It’s a much of a better work environment. Along the same lines though, another important thing I learned is , don’t be afraid to do some free work here or there especially when trying to penetrate a newer type of clientele. You got to get a portfolio built to prove you can do it. Trust me , I thought head shots for Real Estate agents where the same as family portraits. NOPE! especially the higher end ones. Get some practice with friends in the field and then they are walking business cards and will surely get you more of the same you can then charge the going rate for with confidence.

If I had to let future clients know why me over the next person with a camera is this. It takes a person who loves what they do and, a person with experience to delivery consistently time and time again. Dont overvalue trends when you need timeless and reliable content to share with family and friends or to help sell your story and connect with your target audience.

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.
Living in the Antelope Valley definitely has its perks contrary to popular belief when it comes to things to do. Besides being centrally located to a ton of different climate zones, the area itself is pretty awesome. I’m a self proclaimed small town guy, so its perfect for me yet , if someone visited me ( anyone Interested ? lol) there’s no shortage of food , drink an places to check out.

If i had to plan the perfect lil mini vacation i would probably start with a morning coffee and a peaceful walk through the Feline compound just North of here. Not every day you can spend less than $20 bucks, coffee in hand while strolling along an almost private feeling large animal rescue center while checking out some leopards, tigers, bobcats while peacocks roam the grounds. Before heading back in town, I love stopping at Willow Springs Raceway to see what kinda cars or Motorcycles are performing some tire destroying shenanigans. In town there is no shortage of breweries and food places, but a stop at Lucky Luke’s brewery is must on the list. Not only is the beer and service great and centrally located downtown but the food is fantastic! Plus who doesn’t like to take home a big ol’ crowler of your favorite brew. While your at it, I would definitely visit Local Craft Brewery (LCB) Lancaster’s only underground Bowling alley and full blown taproom. Talk about a ton of choices, if you can find a beer you like here, we cant hang out lol.

Around the corner from there is Floradonnas Bakery and holy! hell! just take one of everything. Your Welcome. And if your visitor is vegan, they usually have some allergy sensitive versions that are freaking Amazing. I mean can go on with the food choices here, Fat Boys Tacos, Poppy Pizza, RIO Brazilian cuisine, Sassy Bird spicy chicken, and for the vegan buddies, the Modern Tea Rooms got you covered. Try the Vegan Tacos you wont be disappointed. Your Welcome again!

During the summer time, there’s always an outdoor event, live music, the water park is open and there’s plenty of hiking Spots, Art Museums, Parks and if your up for it, take the truck and dirt bikes to LACR dirt track and show what you got.

And don’t forget to bring a camera to snap pics of the massive Poppy fields and amazing Jets and planes that frequent our skies daily.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my Family and my Fiance deserve so much credit for my continued success. They, no matter how many failed ambitions I had always supported me from day one and pushed me to go after things I never really thought I could achieve and dealing with my long days and nights of editing. Annabelle Vu from my city’s communication Dept. who is responsible for giving me my first official opportunity to be a true freelance professional. Samantha Schmitz, Owner of Lucky Luke Brewery here in the Antelope Valley for trusting in me and giving me the great referral that led to my biggest contract thus far. Lastly but surely not least, Refugio (Refi) Rodriguez of Refi Snacks. He is such an inspiration and always pushes me to do more and is so positive it’s hard not to be a better person because of him.

Website: https://www.clipsphotography.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clipsphotography/?hl=en

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clips-photography-and-videography-lancaster

Youtube: Clips Photography