We caught up with the brilliant and insightful June Guz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, June thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

Started off small for sure as anyone would when they’re establishing their name/business. I was always a creative person when it came to a camera, whether it was a photos or videos from my GoPro. February 2018, I was feeling so creative. I was inspired by social media and everything I saw. I wanted to be apart of that community of creators especially the creators that didn’t just take basic photos.
I was sitting there and with the assistance of my wife, I thought why don’t I make a business out of it.

I invested in a camera and stayed up nights learning how to properly use a DSLR. I learned a lot from “YouTube university”.
I respect the hustle people did in the past by going to school for this, but technology has came a long way where it’s so convenient to learn from the internet, so that’s what I did.

I say by March 2018 I was taking my first shots and April 2018 I was confident and loving what I do.

Atlanta is a big city for creators, so I linked up with the photographer community and built relationships and portfolios.
I wanted to shoot people, I was inspired by the ones around me that took really dope photos of people. Not just pretty & handsome faces, but actually overall dopey constructed photos.
Leading lines, lights, props, outfits, themes. All of that, I thought of when it came to taking photos.

Mostly 2018 I spent time shooting with no exchange of money. I didn’t want to be one of those photographers that get a camera and think they can start shooting and charging people.
I believe you have to build your skill.

By 2019, I was confident to make a business out of it, so in came the money and the spread of my name.
Now in 2022, I don’t see myself slowing down with my name out there.
I’m constantly learning something new every month to execute as the year goes on.

June, 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?

What makes me the most proud of my work is that I do put 100% effort in my photography. From the moment I snap the button to the moment I finalize my last edit. I do enjoy what I do. I enjoy finding the best lighting, getting the best angle, capturing the most sharp photo. I express that to each client I work with. You never have to worry about me dreading to work on the photos, because it’s what I love to do. That in turn provides quality customer service which in turn provides recommendations and a growing business.

I have a lot of passion when I take photos, and I want the client to feel that way too. If its shown in my mannerisms or my face that I’m not enjoying the time spent, then it’ll show in the photos. The client will feel your energy too.

I enjoy talking and getting to know people as we shoot. I enjoy the conversations and laughter that can be shared between us. It makes the shoot go more swell. I try my best to provide good conversations and most importantly making the client feel comfortable.

I know what it is like to be in uncomfortable positions. Everyone does.
It’s my job as the photographer to make sure you do not feel comfortable. I learned in this game you have to read your audience. Read your clients and try your best to evoke comfort and know when & what to talk about when you’re passing time during a shoot.
Customer service is a very crucial key to success. The more great service you provide, the more satisfaction to the customer which is good for them and more business for you which is great!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I always admire the work I do. I’m very proud of what I do and how I do. I love looking back at my photos and thinking, “This is a really good photo!” It’s not coming from a place of ego, its confidence. It’s acknowledging how I came a long way in just 4 years. My photos back then were not how they were 4 years ago. My clientele is not how it was 4 years ago. My customer service wasn’t either. Most importantly my personality was not what it was years ago.

Back then, I was more introverted and dealt with anxiety, and I still do at times, but back then when I met with someone new I hated it because I had to speak. I had to step out of comfort shell. That became a muscle I exercised and now I’m totally different than I was.

Personality wise, doing this has changed me.
I am able to be more inspired by things around me and translate that to photos. I spent so much thinking of the shot I want to capture, and I’ll dwell on that all week until it’s time to execute.

When I finally get to my computer and see the photo, I’m overly proud because I had a goal and I accomplished it.

So I’d say all that to say the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing my work and giving myself a pat on the back and being proud at my work.
Putting a smile on my client’s face when they see the photo is rewarding as well and there’s not doubt about that, but if I’m not happy with my creativity first and foremost, then what’s the point in creating.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission is to be better than I was last month. Always striving to ask, “what else can I do?” That’s not just in photography but that is in every aspect of my life.
Yeah I have my moments when I’m not motivated at all. We all hit a roadblock for sure, but I never let it down.
I’m old enough to know what I don’t want to be in life and it’s someone with no goals. The mission in this journey is too learn new aspects of photography. Learn new techniques. Adapt to new techniques. Have knowledge of what’s changing around me and see how I can incorporate that in my job.

Once I’ve excelled and surpassed myself from what I did last month, then I look forward to the new goal and set that goal.
Like I said, it’s not always photography.
Photography isn’t my full time job, so even in my day job I’m striving to be better than what I was last month and the month before and so on.
Not only to make my company proud, but make my family proud and make myself proud.
I don’t want to be in my 30’s still thinking how I was in my 20’s. There’s no growth there at all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.juneguz.com
• Instagram: @juneguz

Image Credits
@Julia.elaine @rache_lynne @butchvega @cindydangnguyen @oliviamirah @goproxo_ @gabschavs @fabyvallejos @amylabib