Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Llamas.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with photography while in the darkroom of my high school photography class. It has always been a part of me but it re-emerged with the birth of my first son, which of course became my first model. My crazy dream of one day being able to create special photographic memories for others was on its way to becoming a reality.
Throughout the years I have taken courses, done extensive research & learned how to manipulate the camera to do what I envision. I work hard to create my clients visions and meet their standards. My attention to detail is very much due to my first career as a Registered Dental Hygienist. The 14 years in the field have taught me what I believe are great attributes in the photography realm. It has given me great customer service ideals, understanding of color & lighting {which is critical in photography} along with patience.
Though most of my patience, if not all, is credited to my beautiful kids. My youngest little princess is 2.5 years old; her independence, sweet but strong character amazes me. Above all she teaches me to be in the moment and be creative; she is quite the artist as well. But above all who has taught me patience and so much more is my eldest.
As I mentioned above when I first started practicing with my son I had dreams to start my photography business but something unpredictable occurred that required my undivided attention. My son started early intervention at the age of 2 and fast forward to age 4 he was diagnosed with Autism. All those years of therapy leading up to his diagnosis were pivotal for his current successes. He currently receives more than 20+ hours of therapy. He has come a long way but will continue to need constant therapy for his future to be, we hope, as “normal” as possible.
Therapy does not come without a price! I decided to put my passion for photography to work to fight for my son’s therapy. With my creativity and with the support of my husband I am pursuing my dream that ultimately benefits my son. If it wasn’t for my kids Alogs Photography would not be what it is now; that is why their names will forever be intertwined with my photos! Let me explain; my daughter’s name is Alina & my son’s name is Logan. I decided to fuse the “al” in my daughter’s name with the “ogs” in my son’s name & that’s how Alogs Photography was born!
I promise my clients photographic memories for years to come! Taking pictures never felt so good 😉
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ll begin with a disclosure; my son is the best thing that has happened to me along with his sister & there dad and I would not have it any other way. Photography in itself has never been a setback it’s my life with autism that has been a treacherous journey. As I mentioned before the setbacks started even from the first time I imagined starting my photography business. What held me back then was the endless hours I needed to devote to my son’s therapy and wrap my brain around this new world not many know how to navigate. Nonetheless there was always an itch for photography & while I was always photographing my children I wanted more. Being a special needs parent is outstandingly overwhelming to say the least there are a lot of ups & downs along with an abundance of information that one must incorporate to be able to bring out the best out of our “out of sync” children. While I still & will always be very much involved in the countless hours of therapy & everything else that it entails for my son to have a better future; I now can say I have a better grasp on how to manage my life & my family’s life. In the autism world we call it our new “normal”. I am not going to lie we still don’t have it all figured out but I will say we have been armed with a lot of knowledge and a great team. These choices along with the need to invest in our son’s life is the fuel for my photography business to thrive.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Alogs Photography is a business born out of love that produces photographic memories for my clients to love. While I currently don’t focus on just one aspect of photography I may in the future choose to. For now I love capturing love in the prime of a wedding but I also love to capture tender moments with babies & the joy of toddlers. There is just a lot of beauty in different aspects of life to not capture & have a physical memory to cherish. I am very proud to be able to evolve & take on challenges that render beautiful photographs. Above all I am so happy & proud of all my clients. They are the ones who also add to the success of my photography business. My clients would say that what sets me apart is above all my patience & the attention I dedicate to making there sessions unique & special. I strive to customize sessions but definitely open to suggestions: collaboration with my clients is essential to produce the images they have always envisioned!
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
While posed photographs are beautiful & expected to some degree candid shots have only been slowly accepted to be part of a session in a minimal capacity. More & more people will be requesting lifestyle sessions; these sessions are where the entire focus will be on capturing candid moments of people/families doing what they normally do and being natural. Kind of like a reality show but instead of a video camera it’s a camera clicking away while following you around =) There is still some staging to occur but with a more casual approach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alogsphotography.com/
- Email: alogsphotography@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/alogsphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/758123574310873/photos/952918528164709/
Image Credit:
Alogs photography by Jessica
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