Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Jimenez.
Monique, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been doing photography for over 20 years. I started in high school by accident when I meant to sign up for a cooking class and must’ve written down the wrong number. I was immediately fascinated by light, composition and everything film. Eventually I started working for a mall portrait studio as a manager. It was obvious to me that 20 minutes in such a staged setup wasn’t yielding the best results. I wanted to capture people in their own environments whether it’s their home, favorite coffee shop, beach spot and have room to run, hug and really bring out what their relationships are about. About the time I was about to turn 30, I decided that, if I didn’t go full time now, I was never going do it. So I quit my well-paying, benefit having job. The first couple of years, were tough, I refer to that time as my rice and beans years. Little by little, my client base began to grow. Referrals were coming in, clients were calling back for more sessions, I updated my website and started working with other photographers as their second shooter. Cloud Foto is 6 years old! I always say that I didn’t have a baby, I had a business. Much like a baby, it kept me up countless nights, I sacrificed so much for it but it has always been worth it! Cloud Foto recently expanded and I have 2 new partners. We photograph weddings, boudoir, portraits and businesses. We absolutely love our clients!
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?
2016 was the worst year of my life. I lost my mother, grandmother, aunt and uncle. One of our family dogs passed away too. I injured my ankle and took about 6 months to recover. A very long term relationship ended and my favorite fast food place stopped offering my favorite dish. All these events taking place within such a short amount of time, took a huge toll my emotional well-being and the business took a tumble as well, my wonderful clients were waiting much, much longer for the photos they were so excited about. I wasn’t the fastest returning calls, emails or messages. I do work with the best people and everyone thankfully understood. Cloud Foto is back on the horse now with the help of our new partners Teresa and Jason. We have big BIG plans coming up.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are wedding photographers that have had the honor of photographing not only our client’s wedding but their engagements, sometimes sexy photos and then, their families. Few things make me happier than getting a call from a former couple letting me know they’re expecting. Capturing a couple from dating to spouses to parents makes my heart explode with joy. We are furiously PRO-Love! We photograph a lot of couples that self-describe as non-traditional. Whether that’s because they’ve been married before, they’re already parents, foregoing a church ceremony, eloping, come from two (or more) different cultures, different religions, going to the courthouse or whatever. No matter what your love journey is, we have to celebrate you.
What were you like growing up?
I was a weird child. I was a glasses toting, hot sauce eating, dog loving, paranoid rule follower who really took adult advice to heart. The way I saw it, if all adults were saying the same thing, it must be true. Things like “do well in school”, “take care of your health”, “be kind to all living creatures” all that became the core of my personality. I’ve never liked sweets, I could go the rest of my life without having a cookie, cake, pie, ice cream, muffin or anything sweet. I liked spicy food from the moment my poor misguided mother rubbed a jalapeño on my thumb in an attempt to stop my avid thumb sucking… it didn’t work, I liked it so much I would show her my thumb for a refill. She eventually rubbed honey on it and no more thumb sucking for me.
Pricing:
- Most couples spend around $2,500 for their wedding photography
- In-home boudoir sessions with album are $700
- We offer mini sessions through the year
Contact Info:
- Website: cloudfoto.net
- Phone: 630 608 0332
- Email: mjimenez@cloudfoto.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/teamcloudfoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/cloudfoto
- Twitter: twitter.com/cloudfoto
- Other: Pinterest.com/cloudfoto
Image Credit:
All images are owned by Cloud Foto, Inc.
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