Meet Lisa Calandrino | Couples Photographer

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

Hi Lisa, what’s your definition for success?
Success is such a hard thing to define. It is different for everyone. For me though, I think success can be defined as having loved ones and being able to be there for them. Money is great, and it’s needed, but it isn’t everything. I think I feel most successful when I am able to schedule my work around my family time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Building my brand and business has been a slow process. It has been a financial and emotional rollercoaster. At the same time though, it has been completely worth it. I’ve learned that trial and error is an important part of the process and as someone who tends to be very cautious, I have learned that taking risks pays off.

My work, both on the nature and portrait sides, focuses on the beauty found in the ordinary. A lot of my nature and landscape photos feature small, easy-to-miss details: the texture of petals, mushrooms on the forest floor, insects on plants. I love showing how much beauty you can find in the world if you truly look for it. It’s the same on the portraits side of my business. Sure, I want to photograph your milestones, but I also want to photograph your in-between moments. I want to photograph you cooking a meal, giggling with your significant other, or painting a room in your house. Proposals, engagements, and weddings are always photographed, but what about photos celebrating your most recent raise or promotion? All of these moments are so beautiful, and I love being asked to photograph them.

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?
If my best friend was visiting Michigan, I would recommend them to come in the summer. We would try to spend each day in a different spot, because there is so much beauty to experience here! Some spots I would 100% try to fit into our itinerary would be the Empire Bluff Trail at Sleeping Bear Dunes, the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, the wildlife drive at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw, and the ledges in Grand Ledge.

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?
This is such a hard question to answer! Can I shout out multiple people?? My mother has been one of the most encouraging voices as I have worked to build my photography business. She recognizes my talent and is always willing to share my work with others. My husband has been a constant force of support as well. He has had my back 100% of the time since I started Pábitel Photography. He never hesitates to tell me how proud he is of me or to push me forward when I’m feeling discouraged. There are so many other people I could list; I have been so incredibly blessed to have so much love and support surrounding me.

Website: www.pabitelphotography.com

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/pabitelwanderer