I recently had the honor of joining Shelly Waldman and Lauren Hubbard on the Focus on Women podcast, a space dedicated to elevating female-identifying creatives in the commercial photography industry.

We covered so much during our conversation—how my time in the Marines shaped my resilience, my pivot from science to photography, and the creative highs and challenges of running a photography business. We also talked about the importance of collaboration, why personal projects are essential to keeping my passion alive, and how I’ve learned to navigate the business side of photography (spoiler: it’s a lot more than just taking pictures).

What I loved most about this conversation was the opportunity to reflect on the intersections of creativity, resilience, and connection. If you’re curious about how these themes come to life behind the lens, I hope you’ll enjoy this episode. Scroll down for the summary transcript, or listen to the episode here: [Spotify].

Shelly Waldman:
Welcome to the Focus on Women podcast, where our mission is to elevate female-identifying creatives in the commercial photography industry. We talk with producers, art directors, creative directors, photographers, agents, and stylists to learn how they got to where they are today. I’m Shelly Waldman, a commercial and editorial photographer focusing on food and lifestyle, living between London and California.

Lauren Hubbard:
And I’m Lauren Hubbard, also a commercial and editorial food lifestyle photographer, based in Atlanta, Georgia. We’re excited to dig into today’s conversation with a new friend. Let’s jump in!

---

Networking, Learning, and Growth
Shelly:
It’s been a hectic week, but I had an epic day yesterday! I met a photographer friend to explore the Capture One app on my iPad, attended a business networking event, and even learned some surprising tips about LinkedIn’s algorithm. Did you know commenting boosts visibility more than reposting with a comment? Fascinating stuff.

Lauren:
That is unexpected! I always thought adding a comment would be better than just reposting.

Shelly:
Exactly! It was eye-opening. I also went to a comedy night hosted by an ad agency—great wine, great people, and some funny comics.

Lauren:
What a day! Speaking of networking, we’re thrilled to have a new friend join us today.

Shelly:
Yes! Welcome, Helynn Ospina. Thanks for being here.

---

Introducing Helynn Ospina
Helynn Ospina:
Thanks for having me! I’m excited to chat with you both.

Lauren:
To kick us off, how do you introduce yourself? What’s your go-to elevator pitch?

Helynn:
I usually say, “I’m a photographer specializing in portraits and interiors.” But as photographers, we do so much more—it’s hard to encapsulate it all in one sentence. When I clarify that I shoot for publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, people seem to get it.

---

Finding Photography
Lauren:
How did your journey into photography start?

Helynn:
It began when I was a kid. My dad gave me his camera when he switched to using a camcorder. I was around 11 or 12 and started teaching myself how to take pictures, figuring out things like the light meter. Later, I joined the school newspaper, planning to go to art school after high school, but life had other plans.

---

A Pivotal Path: From Florida to the Marines
Helynn:
I grew up in Orlando, Florida, but I always knew I had to leave. Florida felt like a place where, if you stayed, you got stuck. At 18, I enlisted in the Marines. The structure was a shock coming from a strict household, but it was also life-changing. I loved the challenge and the chance to push myself.

Lauren:
Why the Marines?

Helynn:
Because it’s the hardest branch. I thrive on doing hard things. After boot camp in South Carolina, I was stationed in Japan. It was tough at first—being away from home hit me hard—but exploring places like Hiroshima and Kyoto opened my eyes to the world’s possibilities.

---

Science Meets Creativity
Helynn:
After my service, I went to undergrad at USD in San Diego, starting as a psychology major but switching to biology after falling in love with how it explained the world. I worked in biotech for years, but the repetitiveness eventually felt stifling. A friend asked me, “What would you do if you weren’t doing this?” My immediate answer: photography.

Shelly:
What led you back to photography?

Helynn:
That question planted a seed. I remembered my high school dream of art school, so I pursued an MFA at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. That decision changed everything.

---

The Art School Experience
Helynn:
Art school was transformative. I loved learning about photography conceptually and exploring the work of photographers like Larry Sultan and Gregory Crewdson. It helped me refine my voice and visual language. However, art school didn’t prepare me for the business side of photography, which is such a crucial part of the job.

---

The Realities of Running a Business
Lauren:
How did you navigate the business side of photography?

Helynn:
It was a steep learning curve. Most of our job isn’t taking pictures—it’s marketing, client relations, and running a business. It’s vital to shift your mindset from “I’m an artist” to “I’m a business.” That balance is challenging but essential for a sustainable career.

---

Collaboration and Creativity
Shelly:
What role does collaboration play in your work?

Helynn:
Collaboration is one of my favorite parts of the job. Working with a team—stylists, makeup artists, designers—to bring a vision to life is magical. It’s so rewarding to see everyone’s creative genius come together.

---

Personal Work and Passion Projects
Lauren:
How do you balance personal work with commissioned projects?

Helynn:
I make time for personal work because it nourishes me creatively. Sometimes it’s about emotional exploration, like a recent fine art project about my mom. Other times, it’s visual experimentation. Personal work keeps my passion alive and expands my creative language.

---

Advice for Emerging Photographers
Shelly:
What advice would you give to photographers just starting out?

Helynn:
Be curious and stay true to your vision. Accept that finding your voice takes time, and you’ll make bad work along the way—embrace it. Building relationships, sharing your story, and being part of the creative community will open doors.

---

Lauren:
Helynn, this has been amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

Helynn:
Thank you for having me! You can find me on Instagram at helen.ospina or visit my website, helenosina.com. I’d love to connect.

Shelly:
We’ll include those links in the show notes. Thanks for listening, everyone. Visit focusonwomen.org to learn more about our community and how you can get involved.