Today we’d like to introduce you to Deidre JohnBaptiste.
Deidre, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I would teach lessons to the stuffed animals in my room, I would show what I’ve learned to my parents, and at the age of eleven, I made a decision to start taking college courses at the local junior college, Lee College. In retrospect, I have always been on an accelerated path, and I don’t think I realized it until adulthood. Sometimes being goal-oriented can block you from realizing the necessity of doing things purely because you enjoy them. I am a fourth-grade teacher, but I have always dabbled with painting, singing, and avenues related to visual arts. To have an occupation and let it be your hobby, is not the healthiest choice, because eventually you’ll lose your equilibrium and a work-life balance is extinct. I’m currently in the graduate program at the University of Houston- Clear Lake for Instructional Technology and Design, and I’ll be graduating in Spring 2020. With the combination of school, parenthood, and work, I realized that I need an outlet that intrinsically motivates me. I am a believer in perpetual growth, and photography allows me to continue learning about myself, others, and the craft itself. Eventually, that turned into me attending Houston Photography Center’s monthly courses, or me walking around with a camera and taking pictures of flowers, graffiti, and structures.
Thus, soon becoming Vagabond Aesthetics Photography. Vagabond Aesthetics Photography means a sense of style with a manner of fluidity; it’s for everyone. Yet, it’s carefree and effortless. The aesthetics is nomadic and can blend to anything. There is no one set appeal.
So, I decided Vagabond Aesthetics was what I would want for myself. I did once attempt to be a stylist and do makeup, but photography was always my main interest; it gave me more peace as a hobby than styling and makeup during this phase of my life. I started focusing on macrophotography, and I’d do what I called “graffiti shopping,” where I would try to find as many “Know Me” murals, Wiley Art, and other kinds of murals throughout Houston. As I continued to shoot, friends and family began asking me to take pictures of them, their children, or families, and I did.
Throughout that experience, I learned that I wanted to blend my original aspirations. Mixing fashion editorial-like style to the moments that I captured. I have met a lot of people throughout this endeavor, and this process as well as those that I’ve met, have really helped me to find balance in my life; learning to enjoy myself, and the importance that every minute of life holds. This has been a great experience for me, seeing that it’s okay to have another desire, and it’s important to not centralize yourself into isolation. Everything is full circle for me now. The interactions that I have had with people through photography have taught me elements that I can apply to my personal life, and it helps me with the students that I teach too.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I believe that this has not been a path of many struggles, but I have had to recognize who I am, what I want to be, and reinstate my purpose. My first year of taking photography more seriously… I quit. I quit because it felt mundane and monotonous because I was just trying to figure it all out. I believe deeply in not being synonymous to anything or anyone else. So, when photo sessions started to feel generic and inorganic, I quit. Once I started again, I developed my style, and I am happier now with what I produce. I guess the struggle for me was trying to work with as many people that wanted me to work with them, regardless of if I actually liked the idea, or if it was something that I even wanted to do. Generally, staying true to my purpose and not straying from my initial intentions, because things ended becoming stressful when the whole purpose of this was to not be a catalyst of additional chaos. So now, things are smooth because I know how to say “no” and I re-center my purpose as needed. I need balance, if ever things become unbalanced, I realign myself.
Please tell us about Vagabond Aesthetics Photography.
Vagabond Aesthetics Photography is a photography business that works with those that are wanting to capture organic moments. I specialize in portraiture and editorial-style fashion shoots. I think I’m known for the creativity within the frames, but lately, people have told me I have a “great eye” too. I think I am most proud that my photos speak for themselves, and that they’re appreciated. I love capturing emotions. I hope that people would consider my work as unique.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had the chance to start again, I would take a chance, and I would’ve taken the chance earlier. The only reason I started taking photos of walls and flowers was because I was too afraid to ask people to give me a chance or just begin offering services. My grandpa was the first person that actually gave me a chance, and let me do a three-set shoot with him. That gave me so much confidence and allowed me to see how to make the personality and aura of other people present in their photos.
Pricing:
- Portraits & Headshots – $200
- Family Portraits – $250
- Kids’ Package – $70
- Vagabond Special – $100
- Influencer Package – $100
- Holiday Portraits – $200
- Couple’s Portraits – $300
- Maternity Sessions – $300
Contact Info:
- Website: VagabondAestheticsPhotography.com
- Phone: 3462632636
- Email: deidre@vagabondaestheticsphotography.com
- Instagram: VagabondAesthetics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vagabondaestheticsphotography/
Image Credit:
Models/People in the shots: Tae, Mati, Keshia, Ann, Ash. All photos were taken by Deidre JohnBaptiste.
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