We recently connected with Jessica Dao and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
The story behind my mission is to simply capture time and freeze the moment for my clients. I understand that pictures hold extreme value, especially sentimental values. Its really a pleasure and an honor to be able to provide this value to my clients and that they trust me in doing so.
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
Hello! My name is Jessica Dao and I am a freelance published photographer based right here in Houston, TX.
I got into the industry after I had my 2nd child and I was gifted a camera for Christmas, I am always using my phone to take pictures so I decided to utilize my precious gift and became teaching myself how to use my camera and explore the endless possibilities on what I can create with my camera. From there, my photographer journey was born.
Presently, my photography business offers lifestyle photography (graduation, engagement, maternity, branding, portraits for families and/or bloggers, content creators, businesses) wedding photography, and live event/concert photography.
The common issue that I have came across with my clients is that they have this idea but need help bringing the idea to life and that is where I step in. I am very intentional and creative when it comes to bring my client’s idea(s) to life and meeting their expectations. That alone, I believe, along with my creative eye and style of shooting is what sets me apart from the other amazing photographers.
I am most proud of my journey as a photographer and all of the places my photography journey has taken me, along with the many people I got to meet and work with. Never did I imagine that my photography skills and journey would have me traveling to shoot with big names and have my work painted in the famous Howard Theater in Washington, DC. and not only that but into places where others thought I wouldn’t be at.
The main things I want my potential clients and new followers to know is that I am me when it comes to my work, my craft, and my business. Meaning I take my passion for photography and my delivery to my clients very seriously while making the entire experience fun and memorable for everyone.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What build my reputation within the creative/photography market is consistency and showing up. I am walking proof that when you are consistent and you show up, even when you don’t feel like it, it literally pays off.
I mention “even when you don’t feel like it” because lets be honest here, I’ve never been this uppity and motivated within my photography journey. There has been many times where I told myself and others, “its time to hang up this camera because of XYZ”. There has been times where I questioned if I was even good enough to be a photographer and be part of this creative world for photographers.
The answer to that is YES, I am. Stay consistent during both the highs and the lows. Show up during the highs and the lows. Don’t ever give up and don’t ever think that you aren’t good enough.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is to see where I can go with it, to see my ideas and my work come to life, shared all around the world, and talked about, to be able to say, “wow I did that…me!”.
Not only that but to see how much I can push myself and how much I believe in myself. The things you learn about yourself as an artist and creative are simply amazing, man. You’ll learn things about yourself that you never thought you were even capable of!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessicadaophotography.com
- Instagram: @jessicadaophotography_