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

Hi Julian, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?

There are a few habits I’ve learned that have helped me succeed as a photographer:

– Being observant: As a photographer who specializes in candid photography, I’m constantly scanning the room for photography opportunities. Maybe a group of people are laughing and joking around together. Great photo opportunity there. Maybe a family member has just arrived and is hugging people. Great photo opportunity. Maybe someone there is “happy” crying. Great photo opportunity. These little moments at events end up being my best shots of the evening. It’s also these types of photos that make clients want to hire me because they’re drawn to these photos and want me to capture them for their events.

– Showing my work: I make it a point to show my work through my website or social media, which I hope will inspire potential clients to work with me for a photography event.

– Being responsive: whenever someone contacts me asking for pricing, availability, consultation, or other information, I respond as soon as possible. This helps keep the momentum going, otherwise they’re going to go with someone else.

– Being friendly and professional during a gig: I try to get to know my clients as much as I can when I’m there to help them feel comfortable around me. I also try to interact with other guests as well.

– Delivering what I promise: When clients meet with me to discuss an opportunity and I tell them what I can do for them, or when I will deliver them the photos, I make sure I do exactly that or more.

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’m an events photographer. What sets me apart from others — and what others often say they like about my work– is that I place so much emphasis on candid photography.

This means that when I’m photographing an event, I’m most likely shooting natural, authentic moments of guests who are there. Whether they’re laughing together, hugging and kissing, dancing goofily at a wedding reception, I’m there capturing those moments. They’re so full of emotion and help tell the story of the evening. When my clients look back at their event, I want to relive all those little moments that took place throughout the event.

I found photography on accident. It became a skill I learned along the way that I got great and and developed a passion for, and it has naturally taken off. I majored in Communications and got a job as a journalist at a small newspaper. Because our news team had limited staff, a photographer wasn’t always available, so my editor had my take pictures to go along with my story. I soon developed a passion for photojournalism, taking action shots of people doing interesting things.

After I started posting my photography work, friends and family started asking me to take their pictures, and long story short, it grew from there to what it is today. I still only do it on the side as a hobby to my main job. This can be challenging. It can be complex working full-time and doing photography on weekends and some weekday evenings, while also having a wife and kids who also want to spend time with me.

So, I coordinate with my family schedule on my availability to make it work as well as I can. I don’t have the flexibility a full-time photographer might have, but I’m fine with that. I control my availability and select dates I’m free to get hired, and block off other days to do other things with my family. I don’t want to have too many gigs to where I feel burned out and don’t have the energy to do my main job and show up for my family as well, so I keep that in mind as well. This means I have to say no to certain gigs, such as those on Sundays. I don’t do photography gigs on Sundays to reserve that time to going to church and spending the day with my family.

I want the world to know that I have a true passion for capturing natural, authentic, emotional moments at events, so if that’s these are the types of photos you’re looking for, I’m your guy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I’d take them to places like Hermann Park, Houston Zoo, Galveston Beach, Kemah, Moody Gardens, an Astros game.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m so grateful for my wife, Emilee, and our three kids, who inspire and challenge me to be a better person every day.

Website: juliancavazosphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliancavazosphoto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrcavazos/

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