Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Duran.
Hi Jesus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a photographer started when I moved for college. Graduating high school in 2015, my mother gifted me a camera. I went off to college, and while unpacking, I remembered I had this camera. One day friend ask for photos. The more I did it, the more I liked it. After a while of posting my work of my friends, I got the public to ask me for pricing on session. I was shocked because I didn’t think me taking photos of my friends would turn into taking photos of other people, especially for money. My first photo session was a baby, I believed he was turning 1. I was so nervous because it was my first paid client. I remember quoting them $20, and to me, that was enough because I was just starting. After a few months of doing clients here and there, something really sparked in me to continue this as a business. In 2017, I started my business and named it Pure Snap Photography. The meaning behind the name is very special to me because growing up, I wasn’t the most handsome, and I got bullied a lot, so when I was coming up with my business name. I told myself, I want this name to represent the pure beauty of people without all the editing and hard presets. For that reason, when I edit, I do try to keep all the natural beauty of each person.
After starting my business, I was still working my 9 to 5 as a Dental Assistant. So, I was doing photo sessions like once or twice a month, still trying to get my name out there.
2018, unfortunately, I went through a hard time in my personal life, dealing with my mental health, relationships, and family issues. I was making the decision to quit photography altogether and get rid of my equipment. With everything I was going through, it just felt impossible to continue what I fell in loved to do, but my friends and family never gave up on me and told me that I should go strong and not give up. I did just that. I kept working on photography, and I used it as something therapeutic while I was going through my hard times.
Fast forward to 2019, I overcame all my hardships, and I had this ambition to succeed as a photographer and make it my full-time job. I was booking more clients, but not as much as I wanted, so I continued my 9 to 5. When the pandemic start, everything shut down, and so did my business, but I didn’t give up. Instead, I took the risk and upgraded my equipment. Not knowing how the world was going to leave us financially, I still took the risk to spend the money to improve my work. By the middle of 2020, I was booking for 2021, and by December of 2020, I was fully booked for the following year. During the pandemic, I also took the risk to move out and get my own place. Taking all this risk taught me a lot; it taught me how to work harder, taught how to appreciate more, and it showed me who was really with me through all this. I got a lot of people telling me how crazy I was to take all these risk during this time. I didn’t listen to the negative and continued through my plans.
Now being 3 years in Houston. I’ve been blessed to grow a clientele and continuing to grow every day. I have achieved a lot of goals that I’ve made myself prior moving to Houston, and I’m still working hard every day to accomplish more of my goals.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been easy, but worth it for sure! Being a photographer is not the only thing we think about; owning a business is harder than just the photography part of it. I had a lot struggles through my years of starting my photography business, part of that was actually starting my business, not knowing how or how much to charge. I feel like now it a lot easier because more people are starting businesses, but back in 2017 when I started my business, I didn’t have that help that is out on the internet.
Throughout my journey, I believe some of the struggles starting was not having enough time for everything. When I moved to Houston, I had the mindset of work, work, work, and I only focused on my business and trying to grow. Now being more established, I can focus on myself more and enjoy more of life.
I still have struggles, thankfully not as big as the past ones, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing, I feel like it helps me grow and continue to grow as a photographer, business owner and person overall.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pure Snap Photography?
My business start in 2017, with the name Pure Snap Photography. I started doing portrait session; birthdays, couples, kids, families, etc. I love doing all types of season and will forever do any type of shoot that I’m experienced in. As time goes by, I started to fall in love with LOVE. I decided to shift myself into the wedding space, and it’s been such an amazing choice! Now, I do a lot of weddings, proposals, engagement, etc.
In 2023, I decided to rebrand and change my edited style, business choices, and played around with my branding. I knew making that decision would be a huge risk because it could make a business fail. Thankfully, I made the choice and rebranded because it helped my business tremendously!
My business is growing, and 2024 has a lot of plans. I do travel, and I plan to travel more for photography. I do offer special rates for travel, but also offer other wedding packages, elopements, and portrait packages.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned a lot starting a business and being a photographer. The biggest lessoned I have learned would be not to compare yourself to others and allow yourself to celebrate the little things in your business. Speaking for myself, I struggle a lot with imposter syndrome, and a lot of the times I would never celebrate any achievements, whether they were big or small. As I worked on myself more, now I have learned to allow myself to celebrate my accomplishments.
Pricing:
- Portrait Packages start at $300
- Wedding Packages start at $1,100
- Quinceanera Packages start at $1,200
- Family Packages start at $400
Contact Info:
- Website: www.puresnapphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puresnapphotos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PureSnapPhotos
