Meet Miguel Jacquez | Photographer

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

Hi Miguel, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Obstacle always seem to present themselves. Sometimes obstacles make me question weather doing what I love is even worth the grief. Perfect example being the Covid-19 Pandemic which put a halt to a lot of what I was doing. It really slowed down what I do. From projects that I was taking on to actual paying clients. And you have to think about ways of reinventing what you do to make it work. and honestly sometimes I get very complacent in how I do things that change is very difficult to do because I have become accustomed to the patterns of how I do things. So when I got down to working on a strategic plan that was within my control; I realized that the things that always bring me back to photography is the final product which I like to focus around memories and how those memories make me feel. So that’s what keeps me going because in the long run when a client is looking at photography work I did for them they will always remember the experience and how they felt. I may never get to witness that but, I know it will happen.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I don’t really ever think about what sets me a part from others when it comes to my photography but, what I do know is that through photography it has allowed me to learn different methods of communication with people. And I am very proud of that because it allows me to get to know people, people become more comfortable in front of the camera, and I get the sense that I accomplished something empowering and meaningful. Getting to where I am today was definitely not easy because I allowed my own insecurities to discourage me. I also allowed others try to tell me how I should and should not be doing. What this taught me was how to process the information I receive. That showed me how to evaluate myself and not to take other people opinions so seriously. When I did that I overcame that feeling of being inadequate which turned into a confidence in the work skill I provide. The saying goes “Believe in yourself” and that’s exactly what I recommend anyone to do. That is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dra. Mary F Ayala is the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) for whom I have appreciation and great gratitude for. She is one of the many people I feel have accepted me as I am, as a person, and also helped mentor me when I was younger. I am very lucky that she and I remain in contact and I still I turn to her when I need advice. and in many cases advice that has benefitted me professionally. Dra. Ayala I have a great love for you and you will always be someone that has impacted my life greatly.

Image Credits
Miguel Jacquez