Meet Izabel Cortéz | Los Angeles and Ventura County Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Izabel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My business started with my love for editorial photography. I watched a ton of America’s Next Top Model as a kid. I was never sure what exactly what about it made something go off. Perhaps a combo of make up, fashion and locations. In 2014 I started using a friend of mine to model for me. We’d spend hours changing into different outfits and shooting until we lost light. Eventually I took to families but as I was starting my business, as many others, the pandemic hit and I had to wait a while to start back up again. I have pivoted over to weddings and find that I am able to serve my clients by capturing their day while creating art at the same time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m a wedding photographer and I serve Los Angeles and Ventura counties, My goal is to capture my clients’ memories for years to come. I love when families are able to share their family history through images. I think it’s so special but also so important to be able to give this to people, it is what makes me the most proud and joyful to do this.

It hasn’t been easy but success doesn’t come over night. For me, success is being able to serve my clients while being able to serve my family which is one thing I have been able to maintain. I have learned that we need peers to cheer for and who cheer you on in this industry.

I want my clients to know that I am here for them and will capture their history even after their wedding day.

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?
Personally, I’m a valley girl homebody through and through. But if I did have to go somewhere, there are a few things I’d do. There are so many hole-in-the-wall places that it is hard to choose one! There are so many hole in the wall that it is so hard to choose one! If I stayed in the Valley it would be something like this: Since I grew up eating tacos from Mi Pueblito and pupusas from Costa Del Sol in Pacoima, one of those would DEFINITELY be a starter. I’d move my way to Lake Balboa for a stroll, probably hit up Westfield in Canoga Park and when we want to be extra boujee we have dinner at Chichi’s Pizza in Simi Valley. If I leave the Valley, Ventura is a go to for my family. We enjoy hanging out near the ocean to a place that has a small town vibe, If we’re a little extra adventurous, we take a weekend getaway to Joshua Tree to see the stars.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a lot of friends and peers that I am thankful to but I am especially grateful to my husband Ismael and our children for letting me pursue what I love. I am thankful to my best friend Valentine for pushing me to move past my fears and for encouraging me and literally fueling me on work days. I’m also thankful to Jamie + Heather over at the Conquer Community for their love and care to other photographers in their early years of business.

Website: izabelcortez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izabelcortezphoto_/

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

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@izabelcortezphoto?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc