Meet Jessie Agastra | Photographer & Operations Manager

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

Hi Jessie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Snapping photos of my family, and friends was something I have always enjoyed doing. At the end of the day, photos are the only thing w have left. It’s a way to tell a story, or capture a feeling in that current moment. Growing up, my family didn’t have access to a camera, which led to me having very little photos of my childhood to look back on, or even share with my future kids, and grandkids. As soon as I could I wanted to capture and save every moment, and help others do the same. When college graduation came around, I was taking graduation pictures for my closest friends and noticed that others were interested as well. What started as a hobby, quickly turned into a business.

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.
With the amount of photographers in the DFW area, as well as the world I think each person has something special about them that sets them apart from others in the industry, whether that be style, editing, type of photography they focus on, or the relationships they build with their clients. Personally, I love when my clients add me on my personal social medias, ask to hangout, or become friends.

One thing I am most proud of when it comes to my photography is that I try to capture as much of in the moment as I can. Meaning if a child is just not having it that day, I will make sure to capture photos of their emotions throughout the shoot. Sometimes clients ask me to photoshop them to make them look thinner, brighten their teeth, or remove blemishes, and although I do it for a couple photos I also like to deliver photos of them where they look their true authentic self. Years down the road they are able to look back and see themselves in a younger version thats not as filtered. The flaws they see in themselves others probably don’t even notice while looking at the photograph.

I have a family of 6 thats a returning client, I compared photos from last year to this year, and the growth was amazing to see! It’s something you don’t notice until you look back on photographs. That is something I want to continue to provide for families, couples, and individuals throughout the years. I want to be able to be apart of their growth, and help them tell their story.

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.
Since I am still a newbie to Texas, I don’t have much of an itinerary but through my photography I have found some pretty cool spots. My favorite spots to take walks at are Katy Trail, Eagle Mountain Lake Park, and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. My favorite spot to go out for brunch is Deep Ellum, Happiest Hour is my go to for drinking, and for a view for downtown Dallas I love going to Trinity Groves. One of my favorite spots during Christmas time is Highland Park. I love driving through the streets and looking at all the beautiful lights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to my family, and my friends for the amazing support they have given me throughout this process of starting my photography business. From being my models, to helping me choose which photos to post for my social media accounts. My photographer friends I have met through this journey also deserve a big shout out! Sarahkphotography, Leksisterrit Photography, Morgan Ann Photos, and Lahzehphotography, are just a few of the photographers that have helped shape me be the photographer I am.

Website: jagastraphotography.com

Instagram: jessieagastraphotography

Facebook: Jessie Agastra Photography

Image Credits
Leksi Sterritt photography