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

Hi JUANFHER, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I have been working for a School District in Texas for almost 12 years. Through this time, I have used my artistic skills to help the students social emotional wellbeing. I have worked at 4 different schools, three of them located in low income communities. As leader of the multicultural committee I love to bring joy to the student population during the school year. I have organized school plays, choreographed students dance for the 5 de Mayo program, and in 2016 I started taking Pictures with Santa, as a School Fundraiser. This holiday fundraiser has allowed the schools to purchase equipment and technology geared towards facilitating teachers’ planning and lesson delivery. This year has been challenging for everybody and the idea to work on this project was a little bit difficult, considering the pandemic and social distancing in schools. I worked alongside the PTA to develop a plan and ensure every student had the opportunity to take a photo with Santa while following safety procedures. In addition to setting and managing the photo sessions, I characterize myself as the Grinch. The students were so happy to see Santa and the Grinch! The experience inspired me to create a short film for the students, where the Grinch wanted to steal Christmas from the school. Usually during the winter holiday school program students meet at the auditorium and enjoy dances and a winter holiday student play. This year because of COVID-19 safety procedures the winter holiday program was streamed on zoom for all the students to enjoy. The short film was an important piece of the virtual program.  I love to combine both careers, photographer and educator, in addition to being an active member of the school community, which allows me to help shape students and prepare them for a better future.    

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Everybody has a talent, the problem is to recognize it, to find it. Talents should be used to make us happy. Sometimes we forget what is what we love to do and instead we focus on things to do to earn money. My passion for photography goes beyond a business purpose or profitability. Capturing moments through my lenses makes me happy. Creating unforgettable memories in digital images makes me proud and pleased. This year has affected every single aspect in our life, photography business has not been the exception. Photography is my second source of income, it has given me the opportunity to release all sorts of stress that come with your day to day routine. This year has taught me a lesson, things might change direction but our mindset should stay focused on what is important and we should adjust our resources to make it happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends come to Dallas I usually take them on road trips around Texas. In my personal opinion, visiting a place must be exciting and fun. It goes beyond visiting museums or sightseeing into experiencing how people enjoy and have fun in their home cities. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank the school PTA as they were very resourceful and helpful in this winter holiday event.

Instagram: Juanfhergarziaphotography
Facebook: Juanfher Garzia Photography

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