Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Villarreal.
Jared, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a sophomore in high school, I took an audio and video class, I fell in love with having a camera in my hand but I didn’t like video. I knew my art teacher did photography on the side, so I asked him if he could show me some tips and he has been my mentor and he has taught me everything I know. Ever since that day, I’ve been taking pictures every single day and entering Art competitions every single year in high school. I pushed for my work and I got better and better every year. I eventually got a scholarship to take a class at the Houston Center for photography. There I met a lot more people that were in the art industry and they knew I could go places they believed in me and that really sparked a fire underneath me. I ended up having my work in the art gallery that year at the Houston Center for photography. I ended up selling my piece that night to an art collector. That day I realize that I have potential and I have a real future in this.
Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for life but I was never good at drawing or painting, so I gave up on it until I held a camera. If it wasn’t for my art teacher who took a shot on me and tells me everything in sight after school just to help me shoot, I wouldn’t be The artist I am today. Photography saved my life. I had no creative outlet before then and before photography, I was very depressed even going to a psychological hospital and had nowhere to go but now I have a creative outlet and it helps me to express what I can’t put into words. I want to continue photography for as long as I can. It is my world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, going to a school where it is new for photography to enter into art competitions was hard. A lot of times we had to find special Contest and competitions for me because some places didn’t judge photographs. My art teacher and I kinda started the fine art photography at our school. No one was doing photography at the time, so it was just him and I trying to understand and learn from each other.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My business isn’t really a business. It’s just me like that’s what sets me apart from other people who are just in it for the money I do it for the passion and love of it. I know that I can capture moments for people. I do Portrait photography for people who want a photoshoot, and I try to be known for my art, not just for the pictures I take for people. I think I’m most proud of the way that people trust me to capture special moments for them.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would be more confident in my skills because I always undersold myself. I never felt that I was good enough but a really great artist I met said, “ are you taking pictures for yourself or for people ?” And that day, I realized That I need to be happy with my art and not just post pictures of what people want to see.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12317 Ledger LN 77015 Houston TX
- Phone: 9136023928
- Email: jared26v@icloud.com
- Instagram: Jared_coolpics
- Facebook: Jared Villarreal
- Twitter: Jared_coolpics
Image Credit:
Jared Villarreal
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
