Conversations with Juan Lopez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Lopez.

Hi Juan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started in the photography industry in 1984 and continued until 2006. I took a break from the industry until I returned to photograph a calendar in 2019. This re-ignited my interest as the interaction with models was so much different than any other type of communication. As a male photographer, I take extra precautions to provide a safe space for the models I work with. As I continued to knock the rust off and polish my skills, I have found that helping aspiring models is the most rewarding work. Seeing these woman that are sometimes uncomfortable in front of the camera by not knowing how to move and watching them grow in their self-confidence and realize their inner beauty is very rewarding. While I photograph a variety of portrait genres, I seem to excel in the lifestyle and fashion genres. I love it when a client comes to me with an idea they have not been able to do because the photographers are stuck on their own ideas. Collaborating with them, fine-tuning the concept and bringing their art to life is a lot of fun. If you don’t find me on the street or in a studio photographing portraits, you may run across me on the trail photographing wildlife and nature or in the city or at an event documenting society in my street photography genre.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Photography is a long game. There are very few overnight successes. The more you want to grow, you either have to pay someone to do all your marketing or learn to utilize your time wisely to balance photography with the business side. This is a never-ending challenge for me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am more known for my lifestyle and mix of lifestyle/fashion work. I am most proud of being able to help others obtain their dreams and goals. Shooting on locations and being able to bring lighting and not rely on just ambient light to create a different look.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In this day and age, there is so much information available via the internet. Look at meet-up groups and Facebook groups. This will allow you to network. While I do not have a photography mentor. I learn by asking photographers, regardless of their level, about their experiences and approach to photography. A mentor I had in horse training, John Lyons taught me the best life lesson by keeping an open mind when trying to learn and you will either learn a lot of what to do or a lot of what not to do but either way, you will learn.

Contact Info:

• Email: jl.photographyusa@gmail.com
• Website: JLPhotographyusa.com | Thesocialdocumenter.com | Imagesofcreationrevealed.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlphotographyusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jlphotographyusa

Image Credits
The main Image Personal photo is not me is Zo https://www.instagram.com/zoantonow Image hoop aerialist Tamara https://www.instagram.com/aerial_mara Image young girl pink hat Ashlyn Marie https://www.instagram.com/just1_ashlynmarie Image staircase Cara https://www.instagram.com/carasummersky/ Image with yellow background Kenzy https://www.facebook.com/KenzQpp Image belly dancer Miriam https://www.instagram.com/miriambellydancehouston Image snow queen Lauren https://www.instagram.com/moddesc Image blonde hair Savvy Lee https://www.instagram.com/savvylee_modeling Image Face covered Tara https://www.facebook.com/tara.eich