Hello Boss Babes!
In anticipation of our upcoming Gala, please join us as we salute our 2023 Boss Babe of the Year, Lucero Cervantes-Kilgore. Lucero is an integral part of this community. Not only is she an incredibly talented photographer, she also serves on the BBWIN Board of Directors as our Director of Events. Let's take a moment to get to know Lucero and everything that makes her special!
Meet Lucero: Photographer and Owner of Lucero Cervantes Photography
Tell us about yourself and where you are from.
I'm Mexican American, originally from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico! Then, at 13 years old, we moved to Greenville, TX, and that's the town that truly made me feel at home. It's the town where I bloomed during my teen years and college and started my photography career. Now, I'm in the DFW area, specifically in Plano, TX, and we love it here. I'm doing my photography business full-time all over DFW and wherever they ask me to go.
When you're not working, what's your escape from all the chaos? Any hobbies that keep you grounded and enable you to recharge?
TRAVELING! Since I was very young, my mom used to take us traveling, especially when a lot was happening, so now, as an adult, I do the same with my husband. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, and trying new things. Someone told us not long ago that we are not tourists but travelers, and I agree. If we are not traveling, we love exploring our city, going on little adventures, taking a fun class together, or driving around new areas. Alamo Drafthouse is our favorite theater and dinner place. We love going to the movies!
What's your ultimate foodie obsession? Or are you more of a drink kind of girl? Tell us your most craved delights!
TACOS! Girl, you'll find me eating tacos, and most likely, they will be the ones from Tacos La Banqueta Puro DF near White Rock Lake. Those are THE BEST authentic Mexican street tacos all over DFW. My second will be coffee! A delicious white chocolate mocha from Starbucks is always welcome!
Who are you, what's the story behind your business? How long have you been a photographer and how did you get started in the wedding industry?
I'm a bilingual wedding and portrait photographer. I started my business 17 years ago. My photography style can best be described as true to color. I have my college degree in photography and arts, and I've always loved photography!
After working for my local newspaper for several years, I started showcasing my landscape work in the local magazine 903. I began to receive positive feedback about my work. The paper was struggling back then, and I needed a second income. Some of my friends started asking me for portraits, and I eventually landed a wedding event, and I did great! That gave me the confidence to launch my photography business!
Which wedding trend/custom has your heart doing a happy dance?
When the couple sees each other for the first time in their wedding attire, the look between them is my favorite thing in any wedding. The second is to hear their vows. It's always so sweet and romantic.
What sets you and your biz apart from the crowd or makes you one-of-a-kind?
Someone very dear to me once said that my photography really reflects my personality. It's colorful, vibrant, and romantic! You can feel the love between people in the portraits I create. I provide an entire experience between the first consultation and the final prints. I'm so thankful to keep hearing that people feel comfortable and can be themselves when working with me. I take them on little adventures, and it is so much fun! Being bilingual also allows me to relate to different cultures and family dynamics in a unique way.
What is your dream wedding location to work at, and why?
I love Disney, so I hope to capture a Disney wedding one day! Either at one of their properties or on a Disney cruise. I would also love to capture a European wedding. That will be a dream come true for me!
If you could give your past self one killer piece of advice before diving into your business, what would it be?
Don't compare yourself to anyone! We have all struggled with the feeling that we are not good enough or our value is not there. It's not true! And It hurts when someone says, "I went with someone else because it was cheaper." Don't take it personally, and remember that your client is out there, you just need to keep showing your work. Keep telling people about what you do and why you love it. Show your passion! My clients want to work with me because of my heart for what I do. They love seeing that!
Tell us how BBWIN has influenced your business? How did you stumble upon our community of women?
My dear friend Venetta, one of the founders of our group, invited me to be part of this community. At the time, I was new to networking, and I wanted to connect. I was looking for a supporting group that understood the wedding business, so I came to be part of this incredible group, and I didn't look back. As soon as I was part of it, I knew this was where I needed to be more involved.
Time for some Boss Babe nostalgia! What was your very first Boss Babe event, and which one has been your ultimate fave so far? Spill the tea on those memorable experiences!
My first event was the charcuterie board class! That was so much fun! That's when I truly got to know Miranda, Amanda, and many ladies who attended. From there, I've so many, but the galas have always been my favorite events because of the themes we have chosen, the work and heart that's put into those events, and how beautiful everybody looks. Also, we get to celebrate the achievements of many people who collaborate with us. I love celebrating people. My other favorite event is the Christmas parties, and that's because we bring everybody together in a fun way to celebrate my favorite holiday of the year!
What is the best way for fellow Boss Babes to support you and your business goals? How do you prefer to receive referrals? Tell us about your ideal client so we know who to send your way.
I love referrals from my BBWIN community and am open to people reaching out to me in whatever way they feel comfortable with! However, I feel the best way to introduce me to potential clients is to tell them about me and give me their contact information so that I can reach out to them. Building personal connections and a customized experience for my clients are my top priorities, so I prefer that my first contact with the clients be a phone call. This really helps me determine what exactly they are looking for in a photographer and create a personal connection with them from the start.
My ideal clients value me for my personality, my posing techniques, and my photography style. They chose me because we have developed a personal connection, and they appreciate me for the artistry and vision that is unique to who I am as a photographer. My ultimate goal is to create connections with my clients that will lead them to refer me to their friends and family because they trust that I will take good care of anyone they send my way.
To contact Lucero for referrals and see more of her work, visit her website and follow her on social media! All of her contact information can be found in Our Pro-Level Member Directory or you can visit her website at the following link:
