We were lucky to catch up with Jacory Martinez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jacory, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success is a personal journey shaped by discipline, vision, and resilience. It begins with a clear understanding of what you want—not just externally, but internally. True success requires aligning your actions with your values. That means knowing why you’re doing something, not just what you’re doing. When your goals are rooted in your authentic self, you’re more likely to stay motivated, even when the path gets hard. Discipline and consistency are non-negotiable. Talent helps, but it’s the daily habits—showing up when it’s hard, doing the small things no one claps for—that set successful people apart. It’s less about intensity and more about sustainability. You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be persistent. Resilience is the glue that holds success together. Challenges, rejection, failure—these are inevitable. What matters most is your response. Growth comes not just from wins, but from how you rise after setbacks. That’s where confidence is built. Self-education and adaptability are also key. The most successful people never stop learning. They evolve as the world evolves. They stay curious. They stay humble enough to listen, and bold enough to act. Finally, success often requires community. No one rises alone. Whether it’s mentorship, collaboration, or simply having people who believe in you—relationships matter. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge and uplift you can change everything.
Success, for me, is about building a meaningful and self-sustained career as a freelance photographer—one where creativity, independence, and innovation meet. It’s not just about taking beautiful photos, but about offering a unique vision that disrupts the norm and adds something new to the industry. I want my work to inspire emotion, tell stories that haven’t been told, and challenge people to see beauty and truth from unexpected angles.
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.
Hi, I’m Jacory, but I go by Cato, and I’m a photographer based in Snellville, GA.
I got into photography because capturing moments whether it was with family, at events, or just of random things in life, became something I started to like. Over time, I realized that this was more than just a passion—it was a way for me to tell stories, capture emotions, and give people a new way to see themselves and the world. Right now, I offer lifestyle shoots, creative shoots, portraits and I am about to start to get into grad and prom shoots. I love working with the people who are willing to step outside of their box along with me to turn pictures into art. I enjoy sharing creative ideas and bringing a thought to life through a lens. What sets me apart is the fact that there is no bad idea with me, I mean unless you KNOW your idea isn’t the most ideal. I also exude a great personality and I try to relate with anyone I’m working with in attempts to build a stronger connection. To add on to that I’m willing to try anything to capture shots because I don’t see a photoshoot as just a service, but an experience. I don’t just take photos. I create experiences that feel personal, soulful, and one-of-a-kind.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the growth and comeback I had. Last year my first camera I bought was stolen out of my vehicle and at the time. I didn’t have money to purchase a new one. In the moment my mind went to giving up, but then a few experiences of being behind a camera again gave me that spark to go back to it. I then saved up enough to purchase a better camera than the last and this camera has brought me so much growth. I just had to put my foot out there and go do it.
Through every project, I aim to bring something fresh to the industry to mix creativity with culture, and offer visuals that people feel, not just see. If there’s one thing I want you to know about my brand, it’s this, creativity can’t be boxed in, and only you can stop yourself.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
So starting photography wasn’t super cheap as many may know, but depending on what you want depends on how much you will be spending. Me, I wanted a camera better than my last but not toooo many steps up yet because I knew it would cost more. So I began saving checks from my job, which was a strenuous warehouse job and many checks later i purchased my camera. I had just the camera for a good few months, and then when tax season came around I purchased two more lens and a flash and that’s what I work with now. So working a job and the help of taxes and maybe a few parlays here and there, I was able to begin my journey.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes there has been videos that have impacted my thinking. My dad is an entrepreneur himself, owner of 8 Legged Scales, and I realized one big change he made was what he fed his brain. While he handles his business at home instead of listening to music to keep him in that mode he listens to motivational seminars and other good ear food. I used to always hear it but considering the fact it was just to walk past the room he’s in to go upstairs I didn’t truly listen ,you know. So recently I lost my job, and my dad sent me a few of the videos he listens to and I listened to them. The way it just made me think and start to process things in my mind changed. I went from thinking it was over due to my job loss, but now I realize this is just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: catoclicksalot
Image Credits
@catoclicksalot