We had the good fortune of connecting with Alina Latkovic and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been a creative – drawing, painting, design. Photography and videography were a natural extension of that. But I didn’t start JEM because I thought it would be easy. I started it because I saw a real need.
There were so many business owners, especially women, who had no idea how to translate their story into visuals, and no creative partner they could trust. I saw an opportunity to build a studio that wasn’t just a rental space or a content factory, but a place where brands could come to create, grow, and feel seen.

Starting JEM was a massive risk. I had no safety net. It succeeded because it had to. I poured everything I had into it, and because of that, we built a real creative community. Today, JEM is a photography studio, a full-service creative agency, and a space where people from all industries come together- whether it’s to shoot, collaborate, or grab a coffee at Khroma.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
JEM Studios is more than just a photography studio – we’re a full-service creative agency that helps businesses show up confidently and consistently. Whether it’s content production, brand shoots, or strategic creative direction, we focus on delivering high-quality work that helps businesses grow.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just selling creative services, we’re building real relationships. We give small businesses, especially women-led ones, a platform to be seen and a partner that helps them elevate their brand. We make high-end creative work accessible and give entrepreneurs the tools they need to stand out in a crowded market.

We’ve also built a creative community that’s bigger than just us. JEM has become a place where entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners come together, collaborate, and find opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise. That’s honestly what I’m most proud of.

The journey hasn’t been easy. It’s taken a lot of risk, a lot of learning as I go, and a commitment to showing up every day whether things were smooth or challenging. But those lessons- staying consistent, treating people right, and delivering on your word, are exactly what have kept us growing.

At the end of the day, JEM isn’t about chasing trends or quick wins. We’re here to build meaningful connections, create standout work, and help businesses grow for the long haul.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1 –
We’re starting with coffee at Magnolias Sous Le Pont – good lattes, super cute spot. Then probably hitting DMA or Nasher if we’re in an art mood. If we’re just trying to get content, Sweet Tooth Hotel is easy. Lunch at Nori for handrolls or Sixty Vines if we want wine and bites. Quick walk through Bishop Arts or Deep Ellum for murals, shopping, or vintage finds. Dinner at Evelyn’s if I want to impress, or something casual if we’re already tired. Then drinks at Apothecary – best cocktails in the city. If we’re still standing, we’ll end the night at Midnight Rambler for the underground speakeasy vibe.

Day 2 –
Morning workout at Svelte, my favorite gym in Dallas – good energy, good music, done by 9. Grab iced lavender matchas or “The JEM” (my usual) from Khroma at the studio. Then pack up and head to Lake Grapevine for a slow day – boat if we’ve got one, swim if it’s hot, chill either way. End the day with something simple, whatever sounds good after all that sun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had a lot of people pour into me over the years, but if I’m giving a shoutout, it’s to the creative community in Dallas that showed up for me when I was just starting out. Whether it was friends showing up for shoots, other entrepreneurs sharing advice, or clients taking a chance on a new studio, those early relationships gave me momentum I couldn’t have built on my own.

Also, my family. They didn’t always understand what I was doing, but they never once told me I couldn’t do it. That gave me the freedom to figure it out and build something on my own terms.

And honestly, I’ll give myself a little credit too. Because at the end of the day, no one’s going to push you harder than you push yourself.

Website: https://www.jemstudiosdallas.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinakovic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alina-latkovic/

Other: https://www.threads.com/@alinakovic
https://www.instagram.com/jemstudiosdallas/

Image Credits
Jayden Sun, Katie Brennan, Constance Padilla Housel

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