We recently connected with Josue Mejicanos and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Josue thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I feel incredibly lucky to be able to make a living doing what I love, but it wasn’t always like this. In fact, the start was rough. When I quit my full-time job to go all in on content creation, I had no money in my bank account, no backup plan, and no real idea of what I was doing. All I knew was that photography and videography lit a fire in me, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

So, I did the only thing I could—I picked up a camera, went on TikTok and Instagram, and taught myself everything from scratch. No film school, no formal training, just hours of watching tutorials and trying things out until they worked. Every single day, it was practice, practice, practice. I shot anything and everything. I took photos at restaurants, went to concerts hoping to sneak my way into the pit, and worked on building a brand for myself before I even really had one.

Looking back, if there’s one thing I’d do differently, it would be finding a mentor early on. I think I could’ve accelerated my growth if I had someone guiding me, showing me the ropes, and helping me avoid mistakes. But at the same time, I take a lot of pride in the fact that I figured it out on my own. The struggle, the trial and error, the moments of doubt—they all made me into the creator I am today.

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

My name is Josue Mejicanos, born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’ve always been drawn to anything creative—dance, art, music—you name it, I was into it. But for the longest time, creativity was just something I did for fun. Up until Covid, I was working full-time as a server at a restaurant downtown. I was comfortable, making good money, and had a solid routine. Then the pandemic hit, and like everyone else, I got laid off.

That was the moment I decided I wasn’t going back. I took what little money I had, bought a $300 Canon T6, and went all in. I spent months obsessing over photography, watching every tutorial I could find on Instagram and TikTok, and practicing on my friends—shooting for free just to get better. Then, out of nowhere, a concert promoter hit me up to shoot for Lil’ Mosey, Lil’ Pump, and Rick Ross. I had no idea what I was doing, but I showed up, shot my heart out, and absolutely killed it. That night changed everything. After that, the rest is history.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work personally with some of the biggest artists out right now and travel the country doing what I love. In just the last year and a half, I’ve done everything from corporate events to filming a documentary in Peru for a nonprofit, and everything in between. That being said, concerts and festivals will probably always be my favorite—I thrive in that energy.

Beyond music, I also create content for businesses to use on social media and in their marketing. I love showcasing small businesses in a way that feels real and authentic, helping them grow a genuine audience. More than anything, I want people to know that I’m down to work with anybody. When I was first starting out, people took chances on me, and if it wasn’t for those opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now, I want to do the same for others.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I truly believe my personality played the biggest role in getting me to where I am today. I’ve always been extremely social—I love meeting new people, making connections, and putting myself out there. From the very beginning, I made it a point to introduce myself to everyone as a photographer on the rise in Salt Lake City. Whether I was at a show, a restaurant, or a networking event, I wanted people to know who I was and what I did.

I treated it like a numbers game. The more people who knew my name, the better my chances were of getting booked. So, I showed up everywhere. I went to every event I could, shook hands, started conversations, and made sure I left an impression. It wasn’t just about networking—it was about building real relationships. People remember you when you bring good energy into a room, and I made sure that every time I met someone, they felt that energy.

That approach changed everything for me. It wasn’t long before the connections I made started turning into opportunities, and those opportunities turned into a career. Looking back, I realize that talent alone wasn’t enough—I had to put myself in the right places, over and over again, until the right doors finally opened.

At the end of the day, I don’t think success is just about talent or luck—it’s about constantly preparing yourself for the moment when luck meets opportunity. Because when that moment comes, you better be ready to take it and run.

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

What I love most about what I do is the freedom to express myself in ways that others might not see at first—but over time, they come to appreciate. That’s the beauty of being a creator. It’s about seeing the world differently, noticing details that others overlook, and capturing moments in a way that makes people feel something.

Not everyone will understand your vision right away, and that’s okay. Art isn’t about instant validation—it’s about believing in what you create even when no one else sees it yet. I’ve learned that having an eye for something different is a skill, but trusting that vision? That’s what separates those who dream from those who actually do.

When I first started, I had nothing but a cheap camera, a love for photography, and a relentless drive to make something of myself. There were so many moments where I questioned if I was good enough, if I was wasting my time, if I’d ever get to a point where this could be my career. But I kept pushing, kept putting myself out there, and kept chasing opportunities—even when they felt out of reach.

And that’s what I want people to take away from my journey. If you have a dream, chase it fully. Not halfway, not when it’s convenient, but fully. Trust your vision, even when no one else does. Keep showing up, keep putting in the work, and don’t stop until you turn your passion into something real. Because at the end of the day, the only thing separating you from the life you want is your willingness to go all in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://swaymediaandco.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: HTTPS://instagram.com/JosueMejicanos

Image Credits

Miguel Mendoza
Bryan Chow
Zach French