Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Alvarez.
Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2020 a lot changed for a lot of people. For me, it was a job change. I had a one-year-old and couldn’t do full-time anymore. My husband worked at TGH and cared for a Disney content creator/influencer. He told her of my love for Disney and wanting to create an Instagram account and she encouraged us to pursue it, so I did. I started my account that June once the parks opened back up and took every advantage to go as often as possible to take photos. I got my degree at BYU-Idaho in Communications with an emphasis in Visual Media and Video Production, so my niche was Disney videos and photography. I just started sharing my photos and it was a slow start at first then Instagram introduced Reels, and I quickly became noticed as I shared my photography in video form and started sharing slow-motion videos of characters or locations around the parks. My account then grew very quickly as did my friend base. I got to meet and know so many incredible people with so much talent and a shared love of Disney and Universal theme parks. Since then, I was picked up as a Freelance Photographer for Undercover Tourist and began working for them in 2021 taking photos in the parks and at theme park events for their blogs. I have also had the great opportunity to travel to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood many times since 2021. I have a huge love for all things Star Wars and Harry Potter and that’s opened up opportunities with meeting amazing communities of fellow fans and traveling to different experiences such as Star Wars Nite at Disneyland or The Forbidden Forest Experience and seeing Cursed Child in New York. As the years have gone on, friendships have changed, and experiences have come and gone but I have been so blessed and look forward to the many blessings and opportunities ahead of me and the new people I will get to meet and know all while wishing those I have met so much success! In 2025, I will continue to work with Undercover Tourist as they are an amazing company to work for and hopefully have more opportunities to be hosted at events in the parks. On the list, is to travel to London or Japan for more Disney or Harry Potter locations/parks!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has had its ups and downs for sure! First of all, the Instagram algorithm is brutal. I am guilty of letting it make me feel like I wasn’t good enough which isn’t true. It’s hard when you are so excited about a piece of content and think it’s great but then no one sees it or the engagement is low. I’ve found that it is the algorithm that is falling short, not me. It’s important to keep posting and do what you can and just trust the process. It goes up and down and you may be on a downward trend but once down, the only way is up!
Friendships have also changed and that can be hard especially when it’s such a tight-knit community but that’s part of life and growing and I wouldn’t change any experience I’ve had with anyone and wish all I’ve met so much success!
Life got a little tougher to balance when I had my second child in March 2024. Finding time and energy to go and get content and then even to come home and edit to post has been my biggest challenge in 2024. My children are always my biggest priority though and as my kids grow older (and I get more sleep!), I will find my balance again and it will get easier.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer and videographer. I am mostly known for my Disney photography on Instagram and now I am stepping into doing more video on YouTube. I am most proud of how well some of my Disney World photos have done, especially the ones pinned to the top of my Instagram account, and that I have been reposted/shared by Walt Disney World and Disney Parks official accounts 3 times now! From other Disney photographers, what sets me apart is that I am a mom. I don’t know many other photographers who are moms in this community, definitely some dads, but a lot of times I am taking pictures while baby wearing or two kids in tow in the stroller. I am proud to be a mom who has found what she loves to do, finds time to do it and gets to share that experience with her kids and teach them the importance of finding your talents or what you love and working hard to make your dreams come true.
What matters most to you? Why?
Well besides God and my family? Those will always come first and matter the most. But for the sake of this article and the topic of my photography and Instagram account, what matters most to me is not giving up. It can be discouraging at times when content doesn’t do well. It’s important to me that I keep my love and passion for what I do and letting that shine through the photos or videos that I post. I want everyone who gets to know me or comes to my accounts to feel and experience the magic from my photos and videos as if they were there. I know so many that follow me just love Disney and Universal and wish they could be there when they can’t. I always want to share the magic and give them a piece of that wherever they are and with whatever they are going through. To be a bright light in someone’s day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Themagicaldetails.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/themagicaldetails
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/themagicaldetails
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themagicaldetails
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@themagicaldetails
