Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerry Maestas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jerry, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about keeping costs under control when growing. How have you managed to keep costs from getting out of control?

The way I’ve been able to keep costs down for my business is by thinking outside of the box. For example, if I’m trying to fill a space in my portfolio with something I’ve never shot before with the intention of getting booked for that specific type of photography I’ll put together a shoot that will cost me as little as possible. I’ll typically shoot inside of my apartment in my at home studio, ask hair or makeup artists if my concept aligns with something that they’re looking to add to their portfolio in case they want to hop on the shoot too, or I’ll even style the shoot myself with what I have in my closet or make pulls from places that’ll keep costs low. Don’t be afraid to ask for favors or see if someone wants to hop on the project because you’d be surprised how many people just love creating together and want to join in on what you’re working on. Sometimes it takes a little extra time to pull it all together since you may be asking for favors or looking a little longer for low cost equipment/clothing but I think in the end it can be so worth it because a shoot that may have cost almost nothing may get you booked for a high paying job in the future.

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

My name is Jerry Maestas, I am a photographer and creative director based in Los Angeles. My work is heavily inspired by the past specifically the 1950s-1970s. I just love the glamour of old Hollywood and the grit of the 70s. There’s something so special about that period of time. Which is probably why I prefer to shoot on film but I’m always open to shooting digital when necessary.

I’ve been a full time photographer for 7 years but I’ve been shooting for as long as I can remember. My mom used to give me disposable cameras when I was little and let me shoot whatever I wanted. Photography is in my DNA at this point! I have worked with brands like Coach, Dr. Martens, The Rolling Stones, etc. Some of my favorite clients have been musicians like Conan Gray or Wallice where we’ve worked together to build their worlds for certain releases or eras in their career. Creative projects is what fuels me and pushes me to keep creating. I love pushing the boundaries, trying new things, and creating something nobody has ever done before.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think one of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn as a photographer was that there isn’t a “right” way to do anything. Your technical skills are very important when it comes to photography but I do think it can hinder the way you tackle certain projects. Letting yourself be creative with how you execute a shoot can sometimes create results far better than you intended. Of course, you have to know when’s the right time to play around and when to play it safe with the skills you already know. Some of my favorite work was made from taking risks and trying something new.

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

Outreach! I know it may feel daunting or annoying but at the end of the day some clients may not even know you exist until you reach out letting them know that you’re there. I would say about 80% of my clients have been from me reaching out and introducing myself and my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jerrymaestas.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jerrymaestas