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

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I personally manage my own social media. I just recently reached over 1,000k. Now I will not say it has been easy. I have compared myself to other photographers, and mentally managing social media as a full time mom is not the easiest. I took a Meta Social Media Marketing course to better understand how social media works. My social media really started to grow once I started implementing what I learned. Understanding your reach and your engagement is important, as well as understanding what posts are doing better than others. My social media is far from perfect and I am still learning so much. I’ve always had a fascination with social media, and to be honest it’s really hard to let go of that “control”, if that’s a good for it. So I haven’t really thought of hiring a social media manager or anything any time toon. As a photographer you simply want to take pictures and post, but social media has become more about reels, videos, behind the scenes, education, and so much more. They want to see your personality, so being an introvert it’s a little harder to overcome. lol I am working on that, and I genuinely enjoy making the content and learning new ways to expand my business.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

So, hello everyone! :) My name is Jessica Rivera, My interest in photography actually started in front of the camera and I found that my casual interest in modeling grew into a dedicated pursuit to learning more about being behind the camera.

Earning my degree in graphic design, broadened my perspective and refined my visual story telling abilities. I delved into the intricacies of composition, light, and the power of visual narratives, laying the groundwork for what soon would become my passion.

Becoming a mother ignited a newfound purpose within me— to capture and preserve fleeting moments, emotions, and milestones through photography. It was during this transformative time in my life that my hobby seamlessly transitioned into a career path.

Today, now with over a decade of hands-on experience and a relentless passion for my craft, I specialize in creating timeless photographic artistry. Maternity was my starting niche and now I am expanding my genres.

My ultimate goal with my clients is to help bring their vision to life. I always want my client to describe their ideal sessions. I want to know what the session means to them. Why are they truly interested in having this session done. From there I have a better understanding of who my client is.

I think what sets me a part, is that I choose quality over quantity. No my presence on social media is heavy, but I’d rather have 1-2 amazing clients a month, then 5-10 clients who I will never connect with again. Im huge on creating an experience for my clients. I want them to always feel welcomed, and know they are appreciated.

I am most proud of my growth. I began this journey professionally about 3 years ago. After my daughter was born, I was so intrigued and obsessed with my own maternity session, I jumped right in. I hadn’t taken any courses, just took notes from groups on Facebook. I kind of just went for it. I love to see my growth over the years. I love looking back and comparing my work.

I want my past, present, and future clients to know that I appreciate them. I appreciate their patience, I appreciate their trust in the process, and I appreciate them trusting me to capture such important moments in their lives. Their vision becomes my vision and from their we will create magic!

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

My best source for new clients has been word of mouth. Yes social media gains me a lot of interest, but word of mouth really seals the deal. People want to hear from people who have had real experiences. While, yes your work may speak for itself, but when you have people speaking highly of you and your business it is the greatest form of support a business can have.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think non-creatives would struggle to understand that some creatives have sometimes spent years, upon years building their skill and portfolio. I have heard numerous times people use the term “just take pictures” when it comes to photographers. Yes it’s true, any one can “just take pictures” but for photographers, it’s our art. There’s a reason you were drawn to our work. We don’t just look through a camera and take any picture, we capture THE SHOT. The SHOT that’s going to set us apart from the next person with a camera. And this comes with any form of creating. These skills don’t just happen overnight. You really have to experience it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessdstudio.com
• Instagram: @jessdstudio
• Facebook: Jess D Studio
• Other: TikTok @jessdstudio

Image Credits

Portrait of myself – Photographer Credit: Roshawn Lyles – R Lyles Vision photography