We recently connected with Giovanni Mondragon and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Giovanni thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I could start over, I would’ve chosen a high school that offered more opportunities to learn about tools I use every day now, like Adobe and video editing software. My charter school didn’t provide access to those kinds of resources, so I had to teach myself everything later, which I’m still learning to this day. I also wish I had pushed myself to buy a camera sooner, though I’m glad I didn’t settle for less when I finally did. It all comes down to education and making the most of the resources around you—I know that now, and it’s something I would’ve prioritized earlier.”

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 stumbled into the photography industry almost by accident. A rapper assumed I was a photographer, and I just ran with it. At the time, I barely knew how to work a camera—learning everything from ISO settings to shooting in manual mode was all trial and error. Within eight months, I had grown so much but ended up being kicked out of the group. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for that chapter. Though I wasn’t paid, the experience of photographing artists, meeting people, and immersing myself in that world was invaluable.

From there, my journey has been driven entirely by word of mouth. I’ve grown so much since those early days, and I’m thankful for every opportunity I’ve had. Now, my focus is on continuing to grow—especially on social media—to share my work with more people and build a reputation that speaks for itself. My goal is for clients to book me not just because they need a photographer, but because they love the work I deliver. This journey has been unpredictable, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

The way I built my audience on social media is simple: fake it till you make it. And I stand by that because, in a field like photography, no one’s going to book you if they don’t see your work. Even if you’re not booked every day, make it look like you are. Head to a park and take photos of a dog—frame it as if someone hired you for a pet photoshoot. Find your way into a concert and capture the moment as if you were booked by the artist. The goal is to show your work, even if you’re not getting paid yet.

I know it’s not easy—you lose time, money, and energy, and many of us are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I’ve been there. But looking back, I know it was worth it. The more you put yourself out there, the more people start to believe in your brand, and eventually, they’ll come to you. Little by little, those opportunities will start rolling in, and you’ll be proud when you look back at how you built yourself up.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the performance you’re putting on. If people think you’re constantly booked and working, they’ll want to be part of that energy. That’s how you gain an audience and build trust—and that’s how I did it.”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal in my photography career is to grow beyond just being a one-person operation. I want to build a team—a real business where I’m not doing everything alone. It would be amazing to look back, like my mom hiring people on her side, and know that I’ve created opportunities for others while running something much bigger than myself.

I’d love to have my own store where I can rent out photography equipment, a studio space for people to practice, shoot, or even take classes. I want to hire people to run the store, manage the studio, and help others grow their craft. That kind of setup would be a dream come true.

Most importantly, I want to create more time for myself and my loved ones. Photography takes a lot of time—between shooting, editing, and creating stories for clients, it can feel like there’s never enough left for family or personal moments. But if I can build a business that supports others and gives me back some of that time, that would be the ultimate success.

If my story inspires someone to take a chance, grow, or improve their odds, I’d love to be part of that. That’s what drives me every day.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gioshothat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gioinparis?igsh=ZXNneWNvcm9weWx6&utm_source=qr