We had the good fortune of connecting with JoAnn Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi JoAnn, why did you pursue a creative career?
A career wasn’t the goal at first, I just wanted to be able to capture all the little moments in my son’s life. Like many mommas, I gave birth to my first child during the pandemic. Due to being so scared of going out or having anyone come into my home, I decided to take my photos for my memories. My son was the motivation behind it all. He was the reason I ever picked up a camera. I eventually decided I wanted to photograph memories for others. Once I started taking photography more seriously I realized I loved capturing love stories for couples.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I love capturing love stories, and documenting couples in love has become very second nature. I always want my clients to pretend I’m not there and just be themselves with each other, crack jokes and be silly. It makes everything so effortless and intimate, which I aim for in every session. I want my clients to always look at their photos and remember that how they looked at their partner that day was genuine, and they have that feeling every time they look at that photo. It was more challenging than it sounds. I had to learn how to help my clients feel comfortable. I always connect with them in person or on the phone before a session to get to know each other, their likes, dislikes, the type of music they like, and the type of vibe they want to achieve. These things help me thrive during my sessions and make my clients feel as if they were hanging with a friend rather than having someone take photos of them. It isn’t just a transaction. It’s an experience.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t have a list of favorite spots. I’m a homebody, so I love being home in my safe space. When my best friend comes into town, I make her a great dinner, have some of our favorite wine, and talk about our lives and updating, reminiscing, and enjoying each other’s company.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband is a massive part of how far I’ve come in this industry. Aside from him caring for our son while I was out in sessions or documenting weddings, which was always the most significant sign of his support. He had always encouraged me to stick to photography even when I thought it was too hard or when I thought “it wasn’t for me” he reminded me constantly that I was more than capable of moving forward and being successful. His words of encouragement and support have been a big part of my success, and I could not be thankful enough for having such a fantastic partner.
Website: www.joannmariephotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannmarie_photography/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMPBoudoir
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannmariephotography