Today we’d like to introduce you to J Veridy.
Hi J, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Before photography, I was pursuing a career in the music field. I never had a passion for photos or even thought about photography as a profession. I got compliments about my basic iPhone pictures I took and uploaded to Instagram but that’s about as far as it went. My mother told me that I had an eye for it but I didn’t follow up with the profession due to my own disbelief.
Then the Covid lockdown happen. During the beginning of covid, I was working on an album or EP to be released in the months to come but things slowed down to a stop with performing and promoting my soon to come rap album. All of the venues closed, open mics were now closed mics and bars and lounges were closing doors temporarily.
During the lockdown, most of us received a stimulus check for our personal financial use and my plan was to purchase a new iPhone with my government given funds. Upon searching for my new phone I stopped and asked myself, why am I buying a new phone? It was for the camera quality that the new iPhone 11 Pro offered. That was all. Nothing else but the iPhone camera. So the day I received my stimulus, I drive to my nearest pawn shop and purchased my first DSLR. It was an old Nikon D60 but I had no clue of the age because I was just touching my first camera and have never paid attention to DSLRs till this day. I spent about $160 bucks on it and saved about $800 by steering left from the Apple device. Wow…
About a week passed and my new camera was still very foreign to me. I told myself that I bought this thing and I’m going to figure out how to use it right. I watched hours of YouTube videos, spent what felt like a waste of time being outside taking photos of random things. I finally was starting to understand what the camera was and what it offered and was bored with nature practice photos so I built the nerve to ask random people at my job to let me take their photos while stating that I’m a beginning photographer and needed the practice. It was SO MANY turndowns and ups and downs but I kept at it. Finally, I got the go from a coworker during the time, Jasmine. She said yes and was all for helping me with my beginning.
So the Photoshoot with Jasmine happened and WHOA! I surprised myself and her and have finally given myself a portfolio start. All of those hours with the Nikon I spend daily and nightly paid off! I begged around and landed a second photoshoot and the turnout was still spectacular! and although the Photoshoots were no charge it gave me something to show.
So I had business cards printed and opened myself and my new passion to the world. It was very slow and tough in the beginning but I continued to promote myself and what I do. Long story short, business cards I passed out to strangers almost a year ago started contacting me for bookings and Jasmine is now paying hundreds for my quality of work today. I love what I do and honestly, if I were to share all of the details then this section would be a complete book just for my beginning. Lol.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely NOT been a smooth road and there were many struggles along the way. I have been put in so my uncomfortable situations, have been told that my work was not good, broken my expensive strobe light right just before a shoot that was a Strobe Light Shoot, frustrations with lightning, underpaid shoots, lots of canceled shoots, awkward moments, bad shoots due to customers giving the wrong details and so much more. My good friend told me those experiences are building character within me and forming my knowledge about the business world and how I can better run my business. To this day I am still learning the business and photography and am constantly building a for the future.
We’ve been impressed with Veridy Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The name Veridy comes from the word VERITY that means truth. My photography business is built on truth, quality and great client/customer service.
I specialize in portrait photography but am mainly a freelance photographer.
The thing that sets me apart from others is not better edited photos or better lighting or poses or models. It’s my love for taking photos. I genuinely love what I do and when you add that to your business then the rest speaks for itself. I make my clients feel comfortable and relaxed enough to open up to there own personal side of being “the model”. I don’t take control of a Photoshoot, I lead it! With leading and blending our talents together the outcome has alway been grand.
What I’m most proud of is how far me and my business has come. I went from begging to take someone’s photos to now having to say ‘that day won’t work for me’ when someone wants a shoot. Lol. Now they come to me.
I’d like potential clients, future clients and readers to know that with Veridy Photography, you will get exactly what made you book with me. A great experience, great service and great work. I call it Forever Magic. Great photos that you will possess for a very long time.
Look on my website and Instagram for specials. I’m always doing specials.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was more of a just living type of kid. I didn’t really have dreams until about 13 years of age. I wanted to play in the NBA. However, I’ve always had gifted hands growing up. I could make something out of nothing and could figure out how to fix anything. My personality was very kind and loving. I could almost feel what others were feeling around me. Very in tune but out of tune at the same time. Lol.
Pricing:
- Portraits $80 for one hour, one look and 8 retouched hi-res photos
- Micro weddings $100 per hour
- Bridal $80 for one hour and 8 hi-res retouched photos
Contact Info:
- Email: Veridyphotography@
gmail.con - Website: www.
veridyphotography.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ veridyphotography/ - Facebook: https://m.facebook.
com/veridyphotography
Image Credits:
J. Veridy
