Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacobo Laya Jr.
Hi Jacobo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My wife, Mackerrlly, and I, started Jac&Mac Photography back in 2008, as a venture that we could do together as husband and wife. I was active in the Navy, having earned my certification of professional photography from the New York Institute of Photography, was designated command photographer for four ships during my Naval career, and taking on the passion of photography from my uncle Luis, who lives in Venezuela and is a major photographer journalist of the “Nacional” newspaper in Venezuela, photography became a passion for me the moment I joined the Navy and traveled the world. Macky inspired by my drive, studied photography at Tidewater Community college and earned her associate in Applied Art, studying photography and videography. Together we started Jac&Mac Photography with a focus on wedding photography, since our marriage is our greatest venture together as One.
Today, Jac&Mac Photography has grown tremendously, not only through the images we provide, but more importantly the quality of our service we give to our clients, as we drive to make a difference in their lives, as weddings are simply the christening of the ship, Marriage, as it embarks in its journey across life, with husband and wife together as One. With My Financial Compass, it’s our goal to help couples start their marriage, at least financially, in the right direction.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road doesn’t create a strong character. It’s the ups and downs, rolls and pitch, through the journey that makes life an adventure, meaningful, joyful, and yes, sometimes painful, but the journey must go on for so does Life.
When we created Jac&Mac Photography, we knew this venture could not support our family, much less our lifestyle. Upon the birth of our 4th child, Macky dedicated herself to motherhood, managing our home, and educating our children. Upon my retirement from the Navy in 2012, began my career as Naval Operations Analyst, and thanks to God, have grown in knowledge and experience through my different roles throughout my career. Fortunately, Macky and I, still managed to build Jac&Mac Photography over the weekends, and also earn our Bachelors and Master respectively.
Then, in summer of 2019, I lost my job, thankfully, with God’s help, I managed to have started a second company, My Financial Compass, and together with Jac&Mac Photography, we manage to not only maintain ourselves financially while I found a new job, but we grew. After finding a position in Florida, we tried to move there, but God said NO, COVID came lost the contract in Florida and back to looking into a new position. Thankfully, this time it didn’t take long, but Jac&Mac Photography and My Financial Compass grew as well.
Lesson learned, the days of relying on a single source of income are gone!!!!! Unfortunately, life in the USA, because of its material necessities, makes our lives to revolve around how we earn our living, for having lived and traveled to foreign countries, life is so much simpler and work is only to have life not a living.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Jac&Mac Photography is a wedding and event photography company specializing on weddings, corporate/organizational events, quinceañeras, photo booth services, family & environmental portraiture covering Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania. Providing “Pictures That Speak Louder Than Words”, providing the highest quality service and products, for our clients.
My Financial Compass, is an organization, dedicated to the financial education of individuals, couples, and small businesses in proper money management, protection, and financial independence. Through financial needs analysis, financial workshops, Life and Annuity planning, we help our clients establish a new direction making their money work for them, not others.
How do you think about happiness?
I am GRATEFUL, for I am alive, healthy, have roof over my head, a Proverb 31 wife, my children, a career, run two businesses; yes we struggle, there are obstacles to overcome, but Life must go on.
Happiness should not be a destination, for it is not only unsustainable, but also, it’s a CHOICE, regardless of the circumstances which surrounds us; it is the emotional result from the logical actions we take when Life brings us to make decisions along our journey.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography services: $2100-$4700
- Corporate/Organizational Events $750-$1500
- Quinceañeras- $980-$2100
- Photo Booth Service- $980
- Portraiture- session fee $275; multiple packages
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jacnmacphotography.com / www.myfinancialcompass.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacmacphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063581034007
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobo-laya-jr-75203a48/