We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Javier Herrera. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Javier below.

Javier, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first picked up a camera in high school and learned the basics of photography then too. Back then it was all film as digital was just barely starting to come to market and was very very expensive and not that great. I learned the principles of photography emphasizing the importance of lighting and the fact that photography is capturing and manipulating light. I had to develop the film so I was careful in what and how I shot my images as film and developing was time-consuming and expensive. I don’t think there’s really anything I would do to speed up the learning process, what I know now was because of patience and time. Had I sped up the process more I feel that would have put me in a bad place and not allow me to really appreciate the art. I feel that in current times with digital so readily available people jump into photography and try to make it a business without really mastering their craft or learning to appreciate the work that goes into making a really good photograph. Everyone wants to run before they can even crawl ya know?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was introduced to photography because my father got into it in college. It peaked my interest and I expressed it to him. A good family friend gave me his Nikon FE setup and I instantly fell in love with the whole process. Early on I enjoyed capturing portraits of people I was close to and was obsessed with creating a beautiful image with the manipulation of light. I do mostly commercial/advertising photography for various businesses so they can showcase them on their social media platforms. I do still enjoy shooting fine art portraiture in my new studio here in N. Fort Worth, Texas. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to really connect with my subject(s). My style of photography is so personal and I am such a people person that I create relationships with the person(s) in front of my camera whether that’s in studio or on location. I love people and I love to know people and their walks in life.
For me lighting is the 2nd most important part of my work. I mentor other photographers and teach one on one lessons as well and that’s something that I preach often. Lighting Lighting Lighting, it’s everything, without it there is no photograph. I love to manipulate light into doing whatever I want or need it to do. I think so many new photographers have lost that key element in their work. So I love to fulfill the client’s needs and desires with what they’re trying to convey by using lighting to create the vibe and mood for their image.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being artist for me is creating images that people absolutely cherish forever! I’m a man of faith and God is #1 in my life before all things. I choose to love people and part of sharing that love is to share my talents with others. I love to see the love that comes through my work and spills onto the person I’m photographing. When parents see photos of their kids and they are just glowing, when a pregnant mom sees her portrait and can see the beauty of the life growing inside her, all of that just fills me to the brim with happiness and love!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Early on I was obsessed with the fashion industry and Fashion photography. I wanted to become this big-time fashion photographer with all the glitz and glam that comes with that world. I dove into it and started to take off in that direction but quickly learned that that universe was really not a good place for me. I changed directions and moved away from that being my focus and realized I had made a good decision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JavierHerreraPhotography.com
• Instagram: @Javtastic82 and the studio is @HouseofHerrera_DFW