Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Alamillo.
Hi Johnny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It was December 2010. I vividly remember walking into a Best Buy in San Antonio and picking up a Canon XS. At the time, my main hobby was graphic design and surreal Photoshop manipulation. Stock images were expensive and often hard to find for specific needs, so I figured having my own camera would allow me to create my own stock content. As I learned to use it, I became inspired by the work of others, which pushed me to improve.
I started as a band photographer, dabbled in car and model photography, and eventually found my way into wedding photography. I don’t quite remember how I met the guy who brought me in, but he showed me the ropes. Ha! The pay was terrible, but I learned the fundamentals of wedding photography.
Over the years, I kept improving whenever I had time to shoot, despite working long hours. I juggled both until March 1st, 2020, when I finally decided to go full-time. I was ready, determined, and had a solid lineup of wedding clients. Then—you know what happened. SMH. Life has a funny way of working out, though, and somehow, it always does.
The last two years have been both challenging and rewarding, but now I’m starting to see the horizon of a dream I’ve chased for nearly a decade: to live comfortably doing what I love.
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?
Absolutely not—but that’s part of the journey to success. It’s a process, a test of mental resilience. Balancing a full-time job while hesitating to take the leap because of the security of benefits and steady pay, facing doubt, struggling to gain momentum, and then dealing with COVID—it’s been an interesting 14 years as a photographer.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional wedding photographer and videographer specializing in an organic, documentary-style approach that captures raw emotions without staging. This is what I think sets me apart greatly from other vendors. My work balances authenticity with an editorial aesthetic, using thoughtful composition and lighting to create timeless, polished visuals that feel both natural and refined.
As of today, I’m most proud of consistently producing high-quality work. My goal is to continually exceed my own expectations, pushing myself to improve and deliver even better results with every opportunity.
What does success mean to you?
Success is all about consistency—getting good results over and over until things start to feel a bit stale. Then, it’s about evolving and pushing yourself to stay on top and keep things fresh.
Pricing:
- Standard Package: $4000
- Premium Package $5500
- Videography Package: $3600
- Elopement Starts: $1200
- Engagements: $650
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therootsandstones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootsandstones/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therootsandstones
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnnyAlamillo
Image Credits
www.therootsandstones.com Johnny Alamillo
