Local Photographer Utilizes Pandemic to Adapt and Perfect Crafting Skills
Andrew Lopez, the owner and operator of Dru Photo will be hosting a Christmas pop-up market on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. Courtesy Image: Dru Photo.
November 16, 2020 - Downtown San Antonio
Article By: Valeria Torrealba - Staff Intern, SA Sentinel
2020: The Year We Will Never Forget. Many of Dru Photo’s customized ornaments carry both personalized and general messages which cater to various shoppers. Courtesy Image: Dru Photo.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented times for everyone. With the world battling the virus and managing a new normal for day-to-day life, each individual struggle has led to new discoveries, whether it be a new hobby, craft or just taking care of one’s mental health.
For Andrew Lopez, a small business owner and photographer - the global pandemic came with a sense of calm — an opportunity to perfect his skills and expand the services offered within his current photography business.
“I dabbled with photography in 2012,” said Lopez. “As small photographers do, I started off as a hobby. I’m the kind of photographer that likes to keep things fresh, and I try to do anything and everything. I started photography because of a class I had in graphic design. I wanted to take it seriously — I took it running. I needed internships, and I got one at the San Antonio Current. It really helped out — once I started interning with them, I got hired on as a street photographer. I felt like there was a need for backdrops in San Antonio. I linked up with local artists, and then I linked up with other artists or people that I know would help me get my vision to where I wanted it to be. I wanted to bring energy to the event, so I created these backdrops, and it’s been so much fun.”
Lopez officially started Dru Photography in 2015. With five years to build a clientele, his expectations for 2020 were far different than the outcome and ongoing reality of today. His business, like many others, suffered losses and had to essentially reinvent itself in order to still make a living and survive the pandemic. Lopez, however, took this as a chance to relax and really perfect his craft.
Lopez has worked closely with the City of San Antonio and its community, bringing his photo booth along for events. His creativity with backdrops and props for the photo booth also allowed him to further expand his business throughout statewide lockdowns.
“Instead of me taking pictures of guests as they come in, I took pictures of them at a photo booth,” said Lopez. “I started customizing the props, and the props are where I’m at at this particular moment. Now, since we’re not able to be out there as much as we normally are, I started creating signs for people to hold and to give. I started doing lawn signs.”
A popular alternative event that has gained traction as the year progresses is drive-thru birthday party parades. The event consists of several cars driving by a house which is typically decorated with lawn signs detailing the celebration. Because large gatherings are currently not advisable, Lopez was able to provide his clients with personalized lawn signs that would still allow for a creative flair. This further propelled him to expand his business and the services he offers.
Andrew Lopez has owned a photography business since 2015. Once the pandemic began, he began re-shaping his business to meet with new demands Courtesy Image: Dru Photo.
“To me, everything I do has to make sense with the business — I’m not going to start selling cars [or cakes], it all [has to] tie in to the business,” said Lopez. “With the lawn signs, it all goes hand-in-hand with the business. To me, it all just goes hand-in-hand and makes sense.”
The entertainment industry has arguably taken the biggest toll across the nation. For photographers like Lopez, it meant that the work they had been doing for years and building suddenly came to a halt — leaving him, and others, wondering what to do with their future business prospects.
“2020 started off great,” said Lopez. “I felt like this was going to be my biggest year yet. I had people pay deposits and their photo booth events completely. I worked a lot with the SA Current, the Riverwalk Association and Hemisfair. They were my top three main clients, I do all their events. I was also the SA Riverwalk Duke of 2018, and I won photographer of the year for SA in 2017. I love being out there with the community and in the events that are part of the city. That’s my main thing — I love being a part of the city and doing community events. I had all of these jobs lined up, and then I got e-mails from the Current. Canceled. Riverwalk. Canceled. Canceled, canceled, canceled. Everything was getting canceled.”
Despite the cancelations, however, Lopez saw further than the present — he immediately jumped on the long-term benefits that the crisis could bring.
“At that particular point, I was doing so well — I started spending money ahead of time,” said Lopez. ”Once things started getting canceled, I had a feeling it was going to last a long time. I accepted it, basically. I accepted it was going to be around for the Summer, for the Fall. I changed my mindset to not dwell on the negativity of it. I wanted to get something positive out of it. I did go through my deep [depression]. I felt it going down real bad, but I knew it was going to be a big year. I have faith that 2021 is going to be so much better. I’m learning to thrive from the darkness of it, to survive, to keep my head up.”
Lopez has learned to navigate the pandemic with grace and serenity. While others have utilized the last year to bake bread, learn new hobbies and dedicate more time to themselves, Lopez’s mindset has stayed on his business and how he can improve for his clients.
“I’m trying to master skills of other crafts that I’ve done, because I’ve dabbled in a lot of things in the past,” said Lopez. “I never had time to sit down and master it. I’ve always [done my work] real quick and never mastered it. Now I’m taking the time to sit down, read tutorials. I’m learning to adapt and to master what I’m doing — that way, when all of this is set and done, I’ll have a whole new catalogue of items rather than just the photography and photobooth. I’m always thinking of how I can make things different, what I can do. It’s why I started doing lawn signs. I’m spreading my love of being in the community to my friends and clients — that way, they’ll have a piece of what I do in their homes.”
Andrew Lopez works with one of his photography clients during an outdoor shoot. After the Covid-19 pandemic arrived, Lopez brainstormed how to begin perfecting his design skills. Courtesy Image: Dru Photo.
While the future holds promise for Dru Photo, Lopez has proven himself to be flexible when faced with adversities, even crafting a plan for 2021. He hopes to keep his business afloat and alive, adapting to a small business store model.
“If we’re still going through this [pandemic], I’m going to adapt by selling items,” said Lopez. “I’m going to have a package. My goal is to become a little store. I would love for people to come into my studio. My plan for December is to create a miniature background in the studio and have them come here and take their Christmas photos. I’m going to start designing all of these ornaments — [I’m going to make it] like a little boutique, at least for December. If I can at least survive by selling items I make, that way I can keep money coming in.”
With how unpredictable this last year has been, it can be hard to take it easy and take a moment to breathe. However, the year is coming to a close, and the hope for a better 2021 still holds out for Lopez.
“What has helped me keep going along is that I got lucky,” said Lopez. “I can actually sit back and plan my future for the business. All we can do is take it day-by-day and not stress so much about it. The more I think about [the pandemic] the more I stress out. I wish I could master everything that I do — I feel like I dabble and dabble and dabble, I’m only one person. If I had employees, I could focus on other things. Right now, I’m a one-man person for the business holding it down. But, I’m excited for challenges. I’m always constantly thinking, “what can I do different?” I have so many plans for the future — 5 years from now — so, I’m really hoping 2021 takes it back on the path I was going towards.”
The opportunity to grow, both as an artist and businessman, has been invaluable to Lopez. Taking a break from the everyday hustle has allowed him to be at peace and navigate the tumultuous waters of the pandemic carefully.
“I feel like I’ve had so many years of hustle, hustle hustle — between photobooths, backdrops, school, work,” said Lopez. “It feels weird to say, but I’ve learned to relax now. I’ve learned to not panic. I actually take my days off and am not always working, working, working. It’s not like I’m on vacation or anything, but I’ve learned to take everything easier.”
As part of his pivot from photography to creating personalized Christmas gifts, Lopez plans to host two pop-up shopping events on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 from noon till 5 p.m.
“We are bringing our backdrop and prop-making skills to small size Christmas ornaments and more,” Lopez wrote in his event invitation. “We will also set up a small backdrop for selfies.”
Lopez stressed the importance of social distancing and abiding by Covid-19 regulations during his pop-up Christmas market. All visitors will be asked to wear a mask during the event. Guests can reserve a time on the event’s Facebook page.
Although nobody knows for certain what is in store for the upcoming year, the ability to adapt and overcome with the pandemic proves to be invaluable — for Lopez, his crafting and creativity has given him a multitude of opportunities to continue doing what he loves, all while keeping his business alive and well.
Valeria Torrealba is an opinions columnist and public relations assistant at the University Star, a student publication of Texas State University. Email her at reporter@sasentinel.com.