Meet Annika Burns | Photographer-Family/Lifetyle

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

Hi Annika, what role has risk played in your life or career?

I think I thrive in risk taking. The 3 biggest risks I took have become some of my fondest memories.

1. The first one was spending my last semester in Captiva, FL as an intern at South Seas Resort vs spending my last semester with my college friends, I was unsure if I wanted to go into the hospitality industry or do marketing for the music industry. I lived in paradise for 6 months and the other interns and I had the most amazing time.

2. I moved to LA after college to be roommates with my best friend. My parents gave me the opportunity to live at home in NJ and commute to New York City but I knew I had to learn how to be independent. The first few months I was ready to move back home every day, Los Angeles is not an easy place to live or make friends, it is a very transitional place and very expensive.

3. Lastly starting own my photography business. I have always had the passion for photography. I loved taking 50 million throwaway camera photos and I was on the high school yearbook staff for photography. Once I was in LA and saw the need for photography in the online dating world I went for it. I also do headshots, family, maternity and lifestyle photography.

Don’t get me wrong, I have taken lots of risks and have been ready to pack it all up and go home with my tail between my legs, you just have to keep going!! You will succeed!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love the excitement of meeting new clients or reuniting with clients from the past for another photo shoot. My photography company began after working for a Los Angeles based matchmaking service. My coworkers and I would have client photos sent to us that were 10 years old, with sunglasses on, with exs and non full body photos. Clients would pass on potentially great matches because of these reasons! This is how I came up with my niche market of online dating photography and branched out to lifestyle and family photography.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The South Bay is full of delicious restaurants and fun things to do. My best friend and I both have toddlers so we would do a lot of activities involving our children. In the summertime, there are multiple splashpads for kids to play in, the Seaside Lagoon for swimming, outdoor movies, free concerts and of course the beautiful beaches! In the wintertime, there are indoor playgrounds, Wonder of Dinosaurs (one of my daughter’s favorites), holiday parades and holiday lighting walks. My husband and I love the restaurants in the Riviera Village. There are so many different types of cuisine there, even for the pickiest eater! The South Bay is also a great place to take a roadtrip for a staycation from. San Diego, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Mammoth Mountain, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs are all within a few hours drive!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My best friend, Holly McDonald of Compass Real Estate has always been my cheerleader growing up. From the actual cheerleader tryouts in 7th grade (we made the squad!), to helping me get over my first broken heart, to adjusting to the the life of glitz and glamor in Los Angeles as her roommate. She has always encouraged me and gave me positive affirmation even if I didn’t make the right choice. When I started my photography business, she would always be willing to volunteer as my model and we even had a pretend photoshoot on the HGTV show, House Hunters when we were on it looking for her condo. As I have grown as a business she has hired me to do her family shoots every year and other events related to her career. I am extremely grateful and thankful to have her in my life.

Website: www.annikaalexandraphotography.com

Instagram: Annika Alexandra Photo

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

Image Credits
Annika Alexandra Photography