We were lucky to catch up with Jussara Sandoval recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jussara , thanks for joining us today. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

Something that I consider crazy that happened as a photographer was a couple of years ago while I was working at a medical office as my primary day job still, I met a young girl who had no self-esteem and was depressed. I taught she was really pretty but she was there because she had acne and wanted to know what she can do to get her skin clear. As the doctor spoke with her trying to figure out a skin treatment, I noticed how depressed she seemed and how emotional (crying) she was, and how she thought she is not pretty or doesn’t want to go out to do anything. I felt so bad for the girl I just wanted to nurture her and make her feel better but the doctor was still talking with her so I had to hold back, at least until she left. Once the doctor left I stayed with the patient to give her the instructions for the medications she is to use. She was still crying and just felt low about herself. I hugged her and told her that she is beautiful and there is no reason for her to feel such a way. Her reaction surprised me when she looked up and me and said “wow beautiful, you think I am beautiful? Thank you I have never heard those words before!” That’s when it hit me, this poor girl self-esteem is not just low because she has acne its that she has never been told she is beautiful. Now I teared up and wanted to cry myself for her. Instead, I hugged her and assured her again of how beautiful she is.
As a mother of four and one of them being a girl I know the importance of making sure your children know that they are loved, and acknowledge their attributes including her beauty.
So immediately the photographer in me said I need to photograph her to show her how beautiful she is. I told her to please call me over the weekend so we can schedule a photo session and that I wouldn’t charge since she had mentioned she did not have much money at the time. But that’s ok I wasn’t thinking of it as a profit for my business but as just helping this young girl see herself in a way she for some reason has not seen and to help her self-esteem.
The young girl was in shock that I had asked her to take her photos, and as she was leaving she asked me if I was sure about wanting to take her photos. I said yes 100% sure and to please call me. She finally smiled and felt a little better. The gal didn’t call me that weekend and I was a bit sad but eventually, in a couple of weeks she finally did contact me and we set up the session. I took her photos and captured her essence and beauty I was so excited and had fun with her at the session to see her smile. What moved me the most is when I went to deliver her gallery and reveal the photos, she cried but this time of joy! She couldn’t believe that was her, she made me cry as well to see her reaction. She kept hugging and thanking me for doing the session and showing her how beautiful she is which she stated she had never thought of herself that way before. I could see her demeanor change and she looked more confident and see her self-esteem grow.
I now make it a goal every year to be able to give back to the community, especially to the young girl’s ages 11-19 years old, and do charity work by giving them a session to show them how beautiful they are. We live in a time where there is so much bullying and where society and social media tell these young girls that they have fit a mold and look a certain way to be beautiful. It kills me to see this because as human beings we all have a beautiful trait in our own shape, color, or size and we have to own it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am Jussara. I am a mother, wife and a photographer, and I have a strong passion for all three of them. I was born and raised in New York but I have now officially spent half my life in NY and half in Arizona. I have 4 amazing kids 2 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bearded dragon, and I have been married to my best friend Tony for 22 years and counting. So if I am not taking photos or editing I am vacationing in Sedona or somewhere cooler, doing handmade gifts (crafts and art) or cooking up a big feast for my family and friends.

Because I am blessed with a beautiful family and life I love to capture all the moments I can so I have something to look back at. Especially with my kids all grown up and almost an empty nester I love having beautiful photos to reflect on. It is why I make it a mission to do the same for you. I want my clients to have that lasting memory frozen in time that reflects the true nature of love.

I am based in Phoenix, Arizona but I love to travel and go on adventures, I also love to try new ideas and be creative. I will capture it all, be there on your most special days like on your wedding day, or on your engagement, seniors, pregnancy, milestones and family growing.

My goal is that while you look back on the collection of moments from your session, that is when you can see the true beauty and magic in the life you have created.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Well, when I decided that photography was what I wanted to do instead of going to school for nursing. My husband was completely on board he didn’t even flinch. Nursing is a very stable career and pays very well especially now with the pandemic. But my heart was more into the art of photography. At the time my husband had been laid off from his job at a company for 15 years, so nursing would have been a great option. I knew that even though I love working in the medical field and being able to help people feel better, I had it in my heart that I wanted to pursue photography as a profession. As a photographer, I can still help people feel better in a different way. I help people create memories that last a lifetime, help people self-esteem and see themselves for the beautiful person they are, and create empowering photos of women.
My husband believed in me and my skills so much he didn’t think twice about it. I told him I wanted to do photography as a business and I needed to find a way to get the money to invest in having all the gear and tools to run a proper business.
He immediately offered to give me the money and invest in me. I was so moved by it, especially in the situation we were in at the time. My husband is my number 1 fan and cheerleader!! I could not be more fortunate enough to have him by my side believing in me.
Now we don’t regret making such decision because I it has paid off and I love what I do. I get more time with my family and help and meet so many people.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth has been the best source of new clients for me. So far all my clients have been so grateful and happy with their sessions that they recommend me to all their fiends and family. Google is also a good source for new clients because they see my reviews.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Jussarasphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jussara_sandoval
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jussarasandovalphotography
• Yelp: Jussara Sandoval Photography