We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacob Chiza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacob below.

Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Chizagraphy was born from a desire to capture more than just moments—I wanted to tell real, powerful stories through the lens of love, culture, and connection. As an immigrant and creative based in San Antonio, I saw a gap in how culturally diverse couples and families were represented in professional photography. Too often, their unique traditions, emotions, and experiences were overlooked or poorly captured.

My mission is to celebrate those differences, to document authentic love and legacy, and to make every client feel seen, celebrated, and beautifully captured—just as they are. Chizagraphy exists to make people feel proud of their story and heritage while delivering timeless, magazine-quality images they’ll treasure forever.

What makes this mission meaningful to me is that I’ve lived it. I know what it’s like to not see yourself reflected in mainstream wedding and portrait photography. Now, I’m committed to changing that—one shoot at a time. It’s more than photography. It’s a movement of inclusion, expression, and excellence.

Jacob, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Jacob Chiza, the founder of Chizagraphy, a San Antonio–based photography brand rooted in storytelling, culture, and authenticity. I started Chizagraphy after realizing how much representation matters—especially in milestone moments like weddings, engagements, and family portraits. As a creative with both African roots and an American perspective, I wanted to create a photography experience where diverse love stories and cultural traditions are not only welcomed but highlighted and celebrated.

Chizagraphy offers premium mobile photography services—specializing in weddings, portraits, family sessions, engagements, headshots, and events. What sets us apart is our intentional focus on capturing real emotion and cultural identity with elegance and editorial quality. We don’t just take pictures—we document legacy.

The biggest problem we solve is helping clients feel comfortable, confident, and seen in front of the camera, especially those who’ve never had a photoshoot or felt underrepresented in the media. I’m most proud of how clients leave every session not just with stunning images, but with a sense of pride in who they are and how their story was captured.

At Chizagraphy, excellence, empathy, and creativity drive everything we do. Whether you’re planning a wedding or just want to capture your family’s journey, we’re here to make sure your moments are captured beautifully—with heart, honor, and vision.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting Chizagraphy wasn’t flashy or funded by a big loan—it was grassroots, driven by grit and resourcefulness. I started with one camera and one dream. I picked up side jobs, sold some personal items, and slowly reinvested every dollar I made back into the business. At the beginning, I shot everything—events, birthdays, even free sessions—to gain experience, build a portfolio, and get my name out.

Instead of waiting for a “perfect moment,” I used what I had and learned as I went. I also leaned into community: friends referred me, past clients raved, and that momentum built the foundation of Chizagraphy. I’m proud to say that from those humble beginnings, I now run a thriving photography brand with a growing reputation in San Antonio and beyond—all built debt-free and from the ground up.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, Chizagraphy started as a side hustle—something I did on weekends and after work just to fuel my creative passion. I never imagined it would grow into the full-time business it is today.

At the time, I was working a demanding full-time job in the safety field. But even after long days, I’d come home and edit, learn photography techniques, and schedule shoots with friends and referrals. It was tiring—but fulfilling. What started as just helping people with engagement photos or family portraits quickly turned into repeat clients, word-of-mouth referrals, and eventually, paid bookings.

A major turning point was when I shot my first wedding. The energy, emotion, and responsibility of capturing that day—it lit something up in me. I realized this was more than a hobby. I had a gift, and people saw value in it.

From there, I built my portfolio, created a brand around storytelling and cultural authenticity, and reinvested every dollar I made back into Chizagraphy. The more I showed up consistently, the more clients followed. Now, I’m proud to call this my career.

One of my proudest milestones was launching Chizagraphy Studios, my vision for a premium, mobile photography experience that blends timeless imagery with a personal, heartfelt approach. What started with one camera and a passion has grown into a movement—and I’m just getting started.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chizagraphy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chizagraphy?igsh=cnVrOWY4OWdoZTd2&utm_source=qr