Meet Jose Serrato | Photographer

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

Hi Jose, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Quite often the thought of giving up crosses my mind. When I can’t figure out how to photograph something, I would start thinking if I’m good enough to keep trying. If a client isn’t happy with their photographs for whatever reason, I wonder if I should sell my equipment. If my edits don’t turn out what I had envisioned, time to throw out my laptop. When I’m in one of these moods, I put down my camera for a little while. I’m quickly reminded that I need to keep going when I see something or someone and start thinking how I’d like to capture that. My photos are not always perfect, but the process behind it is what makes me happy and I learn from the mistakes I may have made. There is something about walking around the city with my camera that really calms my very active brain and anxiety. With the doubts that may come with my work, I know that this isn’t something I could ever give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For years, I photographed with a basic point and shoot camera until I was able to afford my first Nikon D40 in 2007. Since then, I’ve constantly tried to learn as much as I could. I constantly have doubt cross my mind on whether or not I am good enough to keep going, but I try to remind myself that as long as I like it, nothing else matters. I started photographing local bands and eventually moved up to touring acts in bigger venues. Once Rona shut everything down, I focused on street and cityscape a lot more. Although most of my work is for myself, I did jump into the business side of things by doing portraits and corporate headshots. With my studio near completion, I’m working on expanding even more.

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.
Definitely a day in the Fort Worth Cultural District is a must. If it’s baseball season, a Rangers game is a place I spend a lot of time at. Lunch at Heim BBQ or Panther City BBQ. A slice at Nizza Pizza or Buffalo Bros. Salsa Limon for some tacos. Catch a band at Lola’s or make our way around Magnolia St. Hit up the Beignet Bus at Clearfork Market is my new favorite thing to do.

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?
My parents were very supportive with my various interests growing up. My dad would bring me large sheets of paper from his job so I could draw on them. When my music interest grew, they bought me my first guitar for my 15th birthday. When I started my first band, they even let me have rehearsal in my bedroom. I think this put in my head to try whatever interests me.

Ms. Ennis, my high school art teacher. She constantly tried to push me to ignore everyone and just follow my instinct and imagination without worrying what others thought. It’s not easy to follow that, but I definitely try to.

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