Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Jones.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. My whole life is documented in pictures, thanks to my two photographer aunts. Every family function, vacation, and even small things like church on Sundays can be found in a physical photo album. I remember asking my parents for a digital camera but they didn’t think I was serious. Finally my dad came home with a cheap plastic “digital” camera with a 1 inch display screen and 4 photo memory. He told me if I used it then I could get the real deal. I got my first digital camera a couple of years later, around the time I turned 16.I took it with me to school everyday. I took pictures of everything! My friends and I would stay after school and take pictures until we were forced to go home. I got another new camera right before graduating high school and took it to college with me but I didn’t use it much. I wasn’t concerned about taking pictures because my head was spinning about what career I was going to have. It didn’t occur to me that photography could be my career. Both of my photography aunts have 9-5 jobs that they have been working for a long time. They only did photography as a hobby and sometimes to make some money on the weekends. I found myself very unhappy with college and dropped out. I went back home, got into the medical field and worked my way to being a medical administrative assistant. It only took me about a year to realize I was not about having a 9-5 job. After much consideration I finally realized that I could be a professional photographer. So after I got my first professional camera I went out taking pictures of everything. I remember my first event and all of the photographers were looking at me crazy. It was because I didn’t know what I was doing! I know now that I was completely using the wrong techniques and not to mention I wasn’t using proper photography etiquette. I recommend that anyone who just bought their first camera do their research first! From trial and error, I learned how to be a pretty good photographer. So I started getting more serious here came N.Y.L.A. Images. I got that name for my daughter Nyla. It stands for Now You Look Amazing. It’s mainly centered around family photography which includes graduation, senior, baby, and family function photography. It was was my niche for a while. Today I only do family photography by the season now. Spring and Summer are the popular months for that kind of photography. After doing this for 3 years I began to understand that family photography was not the only photography I was interested in. I truly found a new niche. It dawned on my after doing some personal assistant work. After I left the medical field I continued to work as an assistant to entrepreneurs and it exposed me to a whole new world. Networking events, conferences, speaking engagements, women empowerment events and even concerts. My photography for different entrepreneurs began to turn into flyers and marketing material for social media content. This was the beginning of EJ Solutions. It’s not just about photography and my demographic is entrepreneurs, creatives, artist, and influencers. Today I have photography, videography, editing, graphic design, writing, website building capabilities and more!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Overall things have not been easy for me. For so long I would quit photography and just focus of corporate work because I wasn’t getting booked enough. When I first started I would only get 1 or 2 jobs a month. But what I failed to realize is things get better with time if you just keep going. Every time I quit I would get more behind. I wasn’t learning. I wasn’t building my client list. Then when I
understood that photography was my thing and I am really good at it I instantly started to get better and now I find myself sometimes doing 2-3 photoshoots in a day.
I juggle different hats from being a personal assistant a photographer and gaining more and more clients by the day. So having to stay organized and on point is not easy but I am getting better as I go. It’s only up from here and the “hard part” about what I do doesn’t bother me like it used to. My road has not been smooth at all. I struggle with the lack of information it takes to be a business woman. When I first started off I just wanted to do what I love. I wanted to help people and take pictures. However when you have your own business and there is no one to report to there is more to it than just taking a picture. I’m my only employee so I have to take care of every aspect of my business. The business end is something I had to get used to. It’s still a bit rocky to this day but it’s surely getting smoother.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EJ Solutions – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others. I am so proud of my business today. I went from only taking graduation and family pictures to having a very wide range of clients. I take pictures for CEO’s, recording artist, chefs, comedians, radio personalities, attorneys, and just all kinds of entrepreneurs. What I am most proud of sets me apart because I will take pictures of anything. My range is incredible and I truly love my job. I am full time now so feel free to contact me about any photography needs.
So, what’s next? Any big plans? What’s next for me is growing my business by purchasing more equipment and hiring help. I’m still building my business today, so soon I should be taking off and traveling to do more business outside of Houston.
Pricing:
- Outside Photography starting @ $100
- Studio Photography starting @ $150
- Event Photography starting @ $200 (for a few hours)
- Monthly Personal Photography starting @ $100/month
Contact Info:
- Phone: (832) 503-6632
- Email: ejsolutionshtx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejsolutions/
- Website: EJSolutionsHTX@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Main photo: Yams G
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
