Meet Jeanique LaCour | Christ Follower | Photographer | Educator | Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Jeanique, what is the most important factor behind your success?
To be honest, prayer and customer service are the most important factors of my brand. I always ask God for insight on how I should do a shoot or how he wants me to bless the clients I get the privilege to work with. My why is to be light and bring laugher. I believe when people feel seen and heard with my level of customer service, they want to return and work along with me again, which is always an honor.

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.
I’ve been in business for over a 10 years and have definitely experienced many of the ups and downs of running your own creative-business. When I first started, I didn’t have a lot of systems in place for the administrative side of things. I took several courses to improve my craft and to improve on the business end. I currently have a customer management systems that has been a game changer in how I do everything. Once I started using this CRM, my business has increased, even in the middle of the pandemic. The system frees me up to do my favorite part…Creating and Connecting with clients.

At the beginning, people were always wanting a discount, but I learned that I had to model for others how to value a creative type business. Setting my prices was one of the biggest hurdles because you want people to book you, but you also have to value your time, expertise, and the experience you provide.

Another major lesson I have learned throughout the years is that people need guidance on what to wear, how to pose, and sometimes even how to interact. Having pre-session consultations has helped me to catch the vision of each project. Asking those pivotal questions and getting a background of a clients level of comfort in front of the camera has changed the mood of my sessions and gives me guidance on how I need to communicate with the client. What clients wear to their session can drastically effect the image’s aesthetic, so I take time to guide clients on “what to wear” to match their desired outcome.

What sets me apart from others is my personality, the joy I carry, my attention to details, as well as how I see the world. My desire for each of my sessions is to take my clients on an adventure. I want them to feel as though they stepped out of their everyday routine and had an experience. When they look back at the moments we captured, they are able to feel all the emotions they originally felt. I want them to leave feeling seen and to feel like they could be on the cover of a magazine.

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.
Yay, you’re here! Houston has such an eclectic mix of places to visit. If you’re hungry, I’d take you to Max’s Wine and Dive for some Gluten-free fried chicken, La Fresca pizza in Meyer Land for the best stuffed-crust pizza in town, Bahama Bucks for a tasty frozen snow-cone treat, Bella Green in City Center for some yummy organic dishes, Narin’s Bombay Brasserie for some delicious chicken Tikka Masala with their addictive Keema Naan bread, Dog Haus Biergarten Copperfield for juicy burgers topped with Hawaiian rolls as the bun, and Soma Sushi on Washington for their Shrimp Crunch Roll.

As far as entertainment, I’d take them to a play at Jones Hall, the Hobby Center, the A.D. Players, or Miller Outdoor Theater. I would take them to The Color Factory for a colorful, photographic experience. We’d go to the Houston Arboretum to escape the hustle and bustle of Houston traffic, while being nestled in the center of town. A Galveston run is a must even if our water isn’t blue. We have amazing museums and many hidden gems around town, so we’d definitely go exploring.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been so blessed to be surrounded by people who spur me on and encourage me, even when I go through moments of creative frustration or wanting to quit photography all together. A few of my best friends and family members have been there to encourage me and remind me of the difference I get to make through photography. Shout out to Cherish, Akelah, Ashla, Kirsten, the Rush Family and so many more who have reminded me it’s all about the connections I make with people, and not just about the product.

Website: www.jlacourphotography.com

Instagram: @jlacourphotography

Twitter: @jlacourphotog

Facebook: J. LaCour Photography

Other: jlacourphotography.com/inquire

Image Credits
Jeanique with camera on the beach: Christina Leskovar Photography All other images J. LaCour Photography