Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Lopez.
Hi Jorge, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first introduction to photography was in my senior year of high school. I went to a technical high school, and my shop, which is sort of like my major there was in charge of creating posters for the performing arts student’s upcoming dance ensemble. The following year in my community college, I joined the digital photography club, where I learned a lot about photography. I bought my very first DSLR camera, the Nikon D3100, and signed up for a photography course the college offered. I also got a job as a school photographer for LifeTouch school studios and then moved over to JCPenny Portraits studios, where I stayed until I started attending Montclair State University. There I took two more photography classes, including a commercial photography course. I graduated in the Spring of 2019 when Covid broke and with my wife’s support, began to focus more on my photography. In April 3, 2021 I officially registered my business and rebranded from JL Photography to my registered business name J&R Studios. On November 2, 2021, I was introduced to Peter Hurley’s Headshot Crew, and I decided to become a specialized headshot photographer. At the crew, we learn Peter’s shooting style, how to pose, how to get a natural smile out of people, and much more. Now, my website and all social media reflect my specialization in headshots.
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?
I would not say it has been a smooth road; there are always things to overcome when starting your own business. Even though I have more than ten years of photography experience, J&R Studios has only been in business for two years. My biggest hurdle has been and still is obtaining a consistent flow of work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a headshots and portrait photographer. I have specialized in headshots through the Peter Hurley Headshot Crew. I create high-quality headshots that capture a person’s true essence while making them look confident yet approachable.
For the first year in business, my studio ran out of my living room, but recently I was able to open up a studio. Thanks to my new studio location, I was found and obtained a job photographing a retired judge whose headshot will be framed and placed in the county courthouse. I would say that these two things are what I am most proud of.
As a photographer, my headshots specialization sets me apart from others who are not specialized. But, the one thing that I believe sets me apart from even other headshot-specialized photographers is that I am trilingual. I was born in Colombia and came to the United States when I was nine. In my house, my parents and family only spoke to me in Spanish. Because of this, I am natively fluid in both English and Spanish. In community college, I majored in ASL interpreting and through my involvement in the Deaf community, became proficient in that language too. Thanks to this I am able to serve someone even if they only know Spanish or are Deaf.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I have always been a very curious person. My family always tells me how as a young kid, I would take toys apart and try to put them back together to know how they worked. I have also always been very energetic; I enjoy going on hikes to new places or road cycling. Music has also been a big interest of mine growing up. I taught myself how to play the drums, guitar, and piano.
Pricing:
- In studio headshots sessions are $250 + $75 for each image
- On-location office headshots are $600 + $125 per person photographer (this includes one image per person)
Contact Info:
- Website: jrphotostudios.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/jrstudios21/
- Facebook: facebook.com/JRStudios21
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jorgeljr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JRStudios21
- Other: linkedin.com/company/jrstudios21
Image Credits
Jorge Lopez J&R Studios LLC
