Meet Jessica Mendoza: Photographer

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

Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
This is actually a funny story. I wasn’t even the one to think about starting a photography business, it was my husband who brought up the idea, and at 2 in the morning. I had already struggled to find a job in the past, and after having a baby, it was mostly decided that I would just be a stay at home mother. Every once in a while my husband would come up with options, but they would’ve kept me from being what I wanted to be, a stay at home mother, Now, I have always had an artistic side, and photography had always interested me. I just didn’t know how to do it properly. I will admit, my husband suggesting that I become a photographer, and making a business out of it was so random and out of the blue, but it also just made sense. I was finally able to turn a complete fascination and interest into hobby/business that makes me super happy. It’s also so fulfilling knowing that I get to be a stay at home mother, bring in another growing income, and still be able to bring joy to my clients and people so meet.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As simple as taking pictures and editing them may seem, I feel that photography is much more. The best part about doing what I do is the interaction I have with my clients. I love meeting new people, and I love learning about their stories. It has been my goal from the start to do more than just schedule a shoot and be done with it, but to create an experience for my clients that they can look back on with joy. I have come to learn the the photography business is friendly, but can be pretty competitive when you are trying to get your name out there. I am grateful and proud to say that I I have been able to build my business based off of capturing joy and special memories for my clients. I have felt satisfied by what I do because I do it for them. It is this reason that I am beginning to set myself apart from others. I will admit that it is still challenging to find steady weekly clients, and there have been an occasion or two where a customer wasn’t satisfied, or had to have another session because something didn’t turn out on my end. I am not perfect, but I am steadily learning how I can appease every client. With these learning experiences I have been able to figure out timing, lighting, locations, communication, and information that will fit what my client is looking for. With everything said, I would want the word to know that life is full of so much joy and happiness – and it’s these moments that I love focusing my camera on. When captured in an image, these moments become beacons of light during those times when everything seems dark. You pull out a photo and you’re magically transported back in time and space, and there it is – joy and happiness all over again! I am there for those I work with, and continue looking forward to building my business to create these moments and memories for you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am usually a home body, but if my best friend was visiting, I would want to take them to some of the places that I have loved visiting. First off, it’s Dallas, Texas! I would want to take my friend downtown to explore and window shop, and then go take them to eat Texas BBQ. Another day might consist of us going to either a museum, a zoo, the arboretum, or even to the opera (yes, we are into that). Something else we could do is spend time talking, or walking outside at a local park (there are so many great ones here) and go to a small cafe for lunch. Along with these, it has always been fun to explore the downtown areas of smaller cities within Dallas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My business wouldn’t even be possible if it weren’t for my family and friends, and the support and mentoring they’ve all given me. -My husband for being my partner in this business, and for all his help behind the scenes. -my Father for helping me in marketing, and for creating my logo and website. -My mother, in-laws, and siblings for supporting and sharing my work with others -my new photography friends for teaching me how to better use my camera, and techniques that have helped me become a better photographer: April and Jason Sapp -The many friends who helped me by sharing and promoting my business, and letting me build up my craft by being models to grow my portfolio; specifically Luis Gonzales, and Angela Araíza

Website: https://photosbyjessi.com
Instagram: @photos_byjessi
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mendoza-8a12331ba/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photosbyjessi.fps

Image Credits
Main picture of me: photo credit by Olga Mendoza