Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Salokar.
Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in sunny South Florida, I always wanted to use my mom’s camera, I think I got on her nerves about it! One day she finally gave up, bought herself a new one, and gave me her old one. That was one of the happiest days I can remember as a kid. My cat, Sonny, was my best model. He would pose laying on the couch, walking in the sunlight, and rolling in the grass. I got some amazing photos of him! As I grew up, I upgraded my cameras with help from my dad, and of course, updated my amazing model shots of Sonny. Thats how it all started. Later in life after cosmetology school, I went and took photography classes and that’s where I grew my love for film! Ahh, film. Learning the darkroom was so cool! I really loved playing with the exposure through the lens and then manipulating it with the chemicals. That is when my passion grew to the strongest and I knew “this is exactly what I want to do with my life, let’s make it happen.”
I then met Mallory Taines with NotSoUsual photography. She took me under her wing and taught me so much more than I ever thought. From photographer assistant to lead photographer, I will forever be grateful for her, and her beautiful family, for taking me in and teaching me majority of what I know today.
I moved from sunny South Florida to Central Florida and I’m loving my journey. I’ve met some pretty spectacular people along the way and can’t get enough of it! I absolutely adore my South Florida and Central Florida clients and love watching them grow through my lens. Families, couples, individuals, I do it all and love every minute of it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving from south Florida to central Florida was my hardest challenge for sure! Meeting new people, finding new friends, gaining new clients. It’s definitely been hard but every day, I try to get my name out there best I can. Regrowing from the ground up and setting roots down is always a challenge, but it can only go up from here.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in ‘natural light’ portrait photography of kids, families, couples, and individuals. I aim for candid. I love capturing the real smiles, the giggle moments, the in between tickles, the funny falls and trips, the hand-holding, and true love looks. Feel weird in front of the camera? Let me help! Needing to feel confident in your own skin? Yes, please! Wanting to pop the question but don’t know who to call? Me me me! Let’s capture all those special moments together.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Photography can be socially distanced! Pre-covid, I would fix my client’s hair, fix a child’s flipped up sleeve, etc. Now I’ve had to transition myself to asking them to fix everything. It has taken a lot more detailed communication which isn’t a bad thing, just different!
Pricing:
- Mini sessions starting at $135
- Half sessions starting at $250
- Full sessions starting at $330
Contact Info:
- Email: jsalokarphotography@yahoo.com
- Website: https://jessicasalokarphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/jsalokarphotography
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jsalokarphotography
