Meet Tina Jo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Jo.

Tina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was 15-years-old, I was going through a lot of hardship with depression. That’s when I found photography that helped me overcome the depression. I was very attracted to abstract photography at first but over time, I found joy in photographing people. It started from just taking photos of people on the street who I found attractive and interesting. Which led my interest towards fashion photography. I started styling my friends and photographing them with natural lights. After doing this for a while, my portfolio grew and I started getting contacted from fashion magazines and brands to provide photography service for them. It was not an easy journey but I kept the consistency and didn’t give up on photographing and keep moving forward. Now, I’m photographing for various of brands from Los Angeles, Korea, London, New York and more.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road and it still isn’t. I always questioned myself if this is the right path to go or not. When something you loved becomes work, it can get confusing and stressful. However, I was extremely fortunate enough to meet clients who respected my opinions and creativity. There were times where some of them just wanted their own way but at the end of the day, they were all valuable experience that taught me many things. I think the biggest struggles were having to learn as I go, challenging and facing projects that seemed to be out of my capability. Oh, and another biggest thing is FINANCE. I did not know how to charge the right amount at first or manage my income properly. It was also hard when I wasn’t making enough to sustain from merely taking photography gigs. However, I learned that it grows over time and now I’m sometimes just overwhelmed with the idea that I’m fully living off from just taking photos!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tina Jo Photography – what should we know?
My specialty is fashion and portraiture photography. I do a lot of E-commerce, lifestyle, lookbook photography in-studio and outdoor. What I’m mostly proud of my service is that I’m fully engaged with the project when I’m involved. I like to talk to clients a lot about their needs and style that they are looking for. I do a lot of research before going into the shoot and even during the shoot, I’m constantly looking up poses for the models and different lighting and backgrounds to improve as we go. There are many great photographers out there but I think what sets me apart from others is that I am very detail oriented when it comes to photoshoots. I try my best to make every photographs useful and interesting. Also, I am a fun and relaxed person to work with!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The biggest supporters are my clients, mentors, friends, and family. After the photo delivery, some of them send me thank you email and let me know that they were happy with the images and that makes me feel very happy because I just wanted to provide good work that they are satisfied with. When I receive these kind words, it really motivates me to work harder and give them the best work. Secondly, I have several mentors who have been in the industry for a while and much older than me. I can always ask them for advice related to work, any technical questions (lighting, editing, gears) and they are always happy to help me to solve some issues that I face. Another great thing about having the mentors who is wiser and experienced is that I can get life advice as well. I’m still at the stage where I’m still figuring out my life and who I am as a person and an artist, so it comforts me a lot of talk to them about my life and growth as a person. Lastly, my friends and family are always the biggest supporters. Whenever I am stressing out about work, they are there to hear me out. When I get new clients and new jobs or after a really fun shoot, they are always happy for me. It’s truly amazing to share happiness with people that support me all the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tinajo.net
• Phone: 8082309100
• Email: info@tinajo.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamtinajo

Getting in touch: VoyageLA 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.