Daily Inspiration: Meet Janine Ybanez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janine Ybanez

Hi Janine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Janine, and I was born in Bacolod City, Philippines. When I was eight years old, my family and I immigrated to the U.S., a move that completely changed my life and perspective. Growing up, I was always drawn to creative expression, especially through dance and visual storytelling. My love for photography really started during the “Tumblr era”, when aesthetics and capturing moments became an obsession. Being part of the dance community also played a huge role in shaping my artistic eye—I was fascinated by movement and the emotions it could convey.

In 7th grade, I got my first DSLR, and from then on, I was always “that friend with the camera,” capturing every moment I could. But it wasn’t until 2013 that I truly started taking photography seriously. That year, I began shooting for a band called Tribal Theory, and from there, everything just took off. That experience opened the door to music photography for me, and the rest was history. It’s been an incredible journey, blending my love for music and storytelling through my lens.

I feel so grateful and blessed to be living the dreams I once only imagined. Working with artists I’ve admired for years, going on tour, and capturing moments in my dream venues—it still feels surreal. But I know this is only the beginning of an incredible journey. There’s so much more to create, experience, and explore, and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me next.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth ride at all. It’s taken a lot of grit and resilience to keep going, especially while juggling multiple careers. I’ve been a photographer for almost 10 years now, but throughout that time, I’ve also had to balance it with nursing. I went through nursing school, earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, all while continuing to pursue my passion for photography.

Now, I work as a full-time nurse and also as a nursing professor, which makes balancing everything even more challenging. There have been times when I’ve had to go straight from a hospital shift to a show, running on little to no sleep just to make it all work. It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Photography has always been my creative outlet, and no matter how demanding life gets, I always find a way to keep that passion alive.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily work in concert and music photography, which has been my passion for years. Many people have told me that I’m known for my distinct color grading and editing style—it’s something I’ve really honed in on over time to make my work feel uniquely mine.

What I’m most proud of is the progress I’ve made—not just in my craft, but in finding the balance to make everything work. Juggling photography, touring, and my career in nursing hasn’t always been easy, but it has taught me so much about discipline, passion, and perseverance. And even with everything I’ve accomplished, I know there’s still so much more to learn and grow fro

What sets me apart from others is my style—both in the way I edit and the emotions I strive to capture. I want my photos to make people feel something, whether it’s the energy of a live performance or a quiet, intimate moment on stage. That connection through imagery is what drives me.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 crisis was definitely a challenging time for me. Due to the demands of my nursing job and just the overall situation, I didn’t shoot for about two years. It was tough stepping away from something I loved so much, but at that time, my focus had to be on my patients and the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Despite the long break, I’m so glad I didn’t let that stop me. Getting back into photography after those two years felt like reconnecting with a part of myself that had been on pause. It reminded me how much I truly love what I do and how important it is to hold onto the things that bring us joy, even when life gets overwhelming.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _j9photography

Image Credits
All creds to me @_j9photography