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

Hi Jared, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Great question and one that lends me the opportunity to reflect on my “why” aka purpose, motivation and inspiration for marching forward towards the light! Currently operating as a Drilling Performance Engineer for the largest service Oil & Gas Company along with owning/operating J Raphael’s Photography, LLC amongst other duties; husband, father, mentor, motivational speaker, ministry leader, consultant, financial advisor, etc., I can attest to the importance of balancing work and life responsibilities. In just this past decade, the journey transitioned from being an Anatomy Professor and Author to full-time business owner and business developer for Tri-Country Regional Black Chamber of Commerce where I served in a number of roles. The manner in which I had to allocate time was crucial to the overall mission. I had to learn over time how to make sure rest & recovery was an essential part of the equation! In the beginning stages of creating the LLC for J Raphael’s Photography, I found myself exhausted and second guessing my decision to pursue the business full-time. There was so many documents and processes for securing certifications associated with posturing the business in the Greater Houston area then International direction. However, balance and setting pace was deemed essential.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As it relates to my artistic/creative side, I am the photographer who, “begins with the end in mind”! When I teach my photographer’s seminars, I use this tag line often in order to unlock their imagination. My images are deemed, HD for they can be blown up to a billboard size with no distortion and I am most proud of the impact it has on my clients and their Family/Friends, even general public. My niche is Alter Ego which allows me to be most creative. I fell in love with this artform for it allows me to pull from someone’s inner components of their personality and show them in various lights in one composite. The road has been rewarding but challenging at times, especially through Covid-19 and its undeniable impact on business completely shutting down. However, through challenges, we grow as individuals and professionals. We now offer more services from business ID cards and artwork to retouching, etc. We was even more grateful to Comcast RISE Investment for the 10,000 to prevent what seemed inevitable closure! So many hard lessons learned. However, one thing the J Raphael’s Photography followers know is that this brand is resilient! Greater is on the horizons…

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.
The Greater Houston offers so much from great food, people, culture, restaurant experiences, etc. If I had one of my frat brothers like Jonas Crenshaw of PA visiting, I would have force him to stay at our new home. The itinerary would consist of Happy Hour at Prospect Park on Thursday then Frat After-Party, Friday lunch at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse (my favorite) then photo shoot for new HD headshots at the studio followed by sight-seeing downtown, Galleria, hotel check-in (he would refuse to stay entire time at the house), Give space on Saturday until dinner at Taste Bar or something similar. Sunday Service at Wheeler Ave Baptist Church (3rd Ward where I serve on Photography Ministry) then Sunday brunch at The Breakfast Klub before he departs. There may be audibles called along the schedule but that would be the framework of the J Raphael’s Experience.

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?
Calvin Williams, President/CEO 281.318.1465
The Signature Brand
www.signaturebrandhtx.com

Website: http://jraphaelsphotography.yolasite.com/

Instagram: @jraphaelphotos

Linkedin: Jared Gilmore

Twitter: @jraphaelphotos

Facebook: J Raphael’s Photography (@jraphaelphotos)

Yelp: J Raphael’s Photography

Youtube: Jared Gilmore

Image Credits
@J Raphael’s Photography, LLC.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.