Connect
To Top

Conversations with the Inspiring Lubna Jamal

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lubna Jamal.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been intrigued by captivating visuals and pictures with unique compositions. I would often experiment with point-and-shoot cameras, never quite satisfied with their results. I found myself at a crossroads of my career. I had taught Elementary and Middle School for over a decade, and rewarding as it was, I was yearning for something creative. I’ve always been a passionate and life-long learner. One day, I decided to take the leap and ordered my first DSLR. I immersed myself in books, videos, and articles. The camera was always by my side and I clicked and edited away, often with a heavy dose of self-criticism and the constant question, “How can I improve?”

My love for photography soon became evident to family and friends. Requests started coming in for shoots and event coverage. One of my pictures won third place in the local Renaissance festival. This gave me confidence in my abilities. I decided to take the next leap and in 2017 formed my own LLC (Limited Liability Company). Lubna Jamal Photography became a reality. This was the first time in my life that I had decided to take a huge risk and follow a dream. Future risk-taking became somewhat easier. In Fall 2017, I officially started The Meandering Path, a blog where I indulge my passion for food, travel and of course, photography. Life has translated into juggling family, business and my blog, but I couldn’t be happier!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning your own business is never a smooth ride! I quickly learned that the easiest thing for me was to acquire and sharpen my photography skills. The hardest part is managing the business. There is new learning at every turn, and that journey is ongoing. I went from teaching 6th graders to teaching myself about sales tax, business insurance, marketing, accounting, WordPress, SEO… to name a few!

I would advise future female entrepreneurs to reach out to others in their field for support. Often we are shy or ashamed to ask for help. Don’t be! Have a positive attitude, even towards failure. Stay organized! It will free up valuable time that can be used for more productive projects. Lastly, stay true to yourself and your brand. You will quickly realize what the strengths and weaknesses of your business are.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in portrait photography and am based in Castle Rock, Colorado. My love for interacting with people pairs well with capturing their unique personalities in a timeless shot. I offer both outdoor (we are lucky as Coloradoans to have access to awe-inspiring landscapes!), natural light photography as well as indoor studio photography with off-camera flash. My favorites are family portraits and seniors. Lately, I have done many headshot sessions, many of them for theater.

I’m a bit of a rebel when it comes to following industry norms. It is widely said to form a niche and stick to it. However, I indulge my other photography passions through my blog, The Meandering Path. This is where I post street and nature photography, as well as many unique recipes accompanied with visually appealing food photography.

I believe my immigrant experience plays a strong role in my photography and my blog. Being an ethnic minority (I’m originally from Pakistan) helps me relate to other clients who share a different heritage. I value diversity. In most of my conceptual shoots, I try to bring in cultural and artistic themes. I draw a lot of inspiration from art and dance. Even my background in literature plays a role when I’m imagining a shoot because photographs are nothing short of poetry, in my opinion. Whether it is the shots I take or the people I work with, I enjoy taking calculated risks, and having fun!

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I have been extremely lucky in finding a local group of female photographers in Castle Rock, Colorado. I had some business-related questions and I reached out to a photographer friend who added me to the group. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are all so supportive and offer great advice. I’m still very much a newbie as compared to most of them, so I consider myself highly privileged to be part of their group. There are a number of networking events that pop up on social media. I would suggest choose a few and experiment with what works best for your personality. If you are passionate about a certain cause, reach out and support them. In the process, you will meet some new people who might turn out to be future leads for new clientele. For example, I sponsored my photography services for a non-profit called Shadhika that supports girls education. I covered their Holi event. Perhaps it is my deep-seated love for diversity, that I truly enjoyed the cultural experience and forming new relationships. Similarly, I offer to do headshots for theater cast and crew at my son’s school. It is a good way of giving back as well as getting your name out in the community.

Pricing:

  • I offer various packages tailored to the client’s needs. Typically, a creative fee of $150 covers my time for an hour of shooting. In addition, clients can order digitals and prints based on different packages and their own requirements.
  • For small event coverage, my charges run at $100/hr.

Contact Info:

 Image Credit:
Photography: Lubna Jamal Photography, Model: Alexa Fitzpatrick

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver 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.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in