Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Bonet.
Hi Iris; thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to introduce yourself.
I was introduced to photography in college by accident. I was indecisive in choosing my major and, at one point, even dropped out of college for about a year. When I decided to return, I knew I didn’t want to go back into a science major, so I chose art. Graphic design had a nice ring to it, but I had to choose a different major before getting into the graphic design program, so I chose photography as a placeholder. After one graphic design class, I decided it was not for me, but I didn’t want to change my major again, so I stuck with photography. I quickly fell in love with it. After college, I decided to start my photography business. I did all sorts of different types and landed on weddings and portraiture. Solo portraits are my absolute favorite. Having a one-on-one with someone and capturing their personality is amazing.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. They need to teach you in art school how to run a business. You learn a lot by trial and error and never really anticipate the hardships you will face. I even left photography behind a few years ago to move on to another venture and navigate motherhood. I thought I was done forever, but it pulled me back this year. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years, so there are better resources for learning business now than when I first started, so it felt like the right time to come back.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I specialize in portraiture for sure. My signature look is the sun flare and summery vibe; I love summer. Fall is cool, too, but nothing beats summer for me. So I make sure I bring that feeling into my work. Although I also do weddings, I always try to incorporate that summer vibe. I’m most proud of the feedback I get after we’re done with a session. My clients always talk about how much fun they had. When I look at my photos, professional or not, I always think about the experience behind the photo. Were we arguing right before? Was the photographer nice to us, or were they awkward? Was it a fun experience? I feel like photos are much more than the imagery you see. You should feel some emotion when you look at your photos – hopefully, good emotions. That’s what I bring to the table. Anyone can take nice photos these days, but I make sure my clients have a great experience from start to finish.
What do you think about happiness?
So many things make me happy. Anytime I see my daughter smile or even randomly say “I love you” without being prompted can set my whole day, regardless of how bad it was prior. As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate smaller moments way more. Also, becoming a mom has helped me appreciate those moments.
Pricing:
- Portrait prices start at $400
- Wedding prices start at $2900
Contact Info:
- Website: Portrait website – www.portraitsbyiris.com ; Wedding website – www.irisbonet.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/portraitsbyiris ; instagram.com/irisbonetphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/portraitsbyirisb ; facebook.com/irisbonetphoto
