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Meet Lynnet Perez

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynnet Perez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hello friends, my name is Lynnet, the person behind Lynnet Perez Photography. It’s hard to exactly pinpoint when I became a photographer because ever since I was young I enjoyed photographing people. I was probably the only one in my entire family to own a camera. I started with a point and shoot and then one Christmas my mom, dad, and my sister gifted me a Canon T3i! I was super excited and I felt hope that day!  For the longest time, it was just a hobby and I would ask my family and friends if I could use them as my models to practice. I took Film photography in High School and College and ever since then I never looked at the world the same. I began to observe the way the light would create shadows and how the light would bounce of surfaces. I was fascinated by everything and I knew that the only way to get good at something was to practice over and over. It was thanks to my desire to get better and always asking my family to let me photograph them that God placed me in the right moment and at the right place. I had just finished taking my cousin’s graduation photos in downtown when a lady came up to me and asked me if I did weddings!!! OMG! I just couldn’t believe it! I told her I would be honored to shoot her wedding and I gave her my business card (which at the time wasn’t even that nice). I went home that day super excited, nervous, and instantly looking up ways to prepare for the wedding day and what I would say when I would meet them!

I wanted to be professional and show I was a responsible person and someone they could trust on. I immediately started creating a contract form, came up with some wedding pricing, and well it was a lot of work to do in a couple of days before meeting them up! Fast forward a few days, I hardly slept because I was so busy learning as much as I could and nervous!

I will never forget that moment in my life. I was the happiest, yet terrified of what I had always dreamed of (and thought would never happen) was finally here! August 31, 2013 was my first wedding in the books! I didn’t get paid much for it, but I learned so much and I am forever grateful for them! After that wedding, I spent hours looking at youtube videos, learning about lens, flashes, and looking up workshops that specified in weddings so that I could get better.

I knew I had to invest in my business in order to grow and I was ready! After that wedding, I took a whole year to prepare myself before taking on another wedding. On May 2014, I attended a Fstoppers workshop for wedding photographers, where I met one of the most amazing mentors you could ask for, Pye Jirsa. He is the one who taught me everything about lighting and posing, and what lenses and flashes to get. He was a life saver. Till this day I still keep in touch with him! I love you Pye!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Ha, NO! I will tell you it has definitely not been an easy path. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, discipline, and a desire to succeed. Being a creative is a hard job, people don’t take you seriously, and you are already having to overpower the stereotype that “you can’t be successful being a photographer”. I struggled financially and struggled with friendships not understanding me. Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. Most people like to have a 9-5 secure job and to them, that is being successful. I have always dreamt of having my own business, and along fulfilling that dream I lost friendships, I didn’t go out to party as most young people do, and at the time I was a first-time mom, and single (I still am a single mom by the way). Starting a business will never be easy. It has taken me a lot of late nights, a lot of mistakes and learning from them, and really hustling. All I knew is that no matter how hard and how many times I had to try that I was going to make it happen. It has taken me many years of learning, practicing, trying new things, and making friendships who are also in the same boat as I am.  That has really helped me. Making friendships who understand you and support you on those hard days that you feel like giving up. To help cheer you on!

During my time of starting my business, I was also fighting for my daughter’s custody. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and between being a second-grade teacher, going to counseling, attending multiple court orders, paying lawyers, and still having to be a happy mom even though I was overwhelmed, I was still dedicating time to fulling my dream of becoming a wedding photographer. Even till this day, I put all my heart and soul to it. It’s like my second child.

Lynnet Perez Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in Wedding and Portrait photography. I believe in fairy tales, and am such a romantic person. I love everything wedding related, and I absolutely love photographing them. One of the ways to make sure my bride and grooms have a great experience is by building a friendship with my couples. I want them to feel comfortable around me like if they’ve known me for a long time. That is why I love offering my clients a complimentary engagement session so that we can get to know each other a bit better and break the ice. That day is all about having a great time and getting comfortable around me and my camera.  I get to know their personalities and what they are comfortable with and what they are not. It also gives them a chance to know what it feels like being in front of a camera, because more than likely this is the first time they take photos together. After our shoot, if possible, I love going out to eat with them afterward, so we can relax and create a friendly environment. I don’t like for it to feel like a business transaction after a shoot. I want it to feel like we were old friends just catching up.

I love to shoot fun adventurous couples who love the outdoors like me! I love to try new things, and am not afraid of practically anything (you dare me, I most probably will do it)! I love spontaneity and traveling, so if you are a couple who loves to do quick getaway trips and possibly plan your engagement session while on your trip I’m all for it!

I also enjoy educating, especially my young ones. I feel they need the most love right now. My goal is to inspire and show them that anything is possible because it really is with hard work and dedication. Teenagers is where my heart is at. Ever since High School I would love to teach Sunday School, and now I substitute at Holy Trinity Catholic School. I love to see them grow and help them gain confidence.

Lynnet Perez Photography also loves to give back to the community, especially to Genesis Women’s Shelter because it holds a special place in my heart. They helped me out when I most needed them. If you are a girl living in domestic violence, I encourage you to try out their counseling services. They are amazing!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is something we as humans strive for in order to feel accomplished. I have found that it’s not money that drives me, but rather knowing that I have made an impact on someone’s life. I love to serve, to help out and give back. When I photograph a wedding I am there to serve my bride and groom and their family. I am there to be an advocate and friend for the couple in their time of stress and need. I am there to love and serve them all day because it’s about them and their special day. I am there to capture those joyous moments because at the end of the day being a photographer to me is more than just capturing images. It is about the experience and love I shared with them that day. When all is done and I go home and lay in bed exhausted and aching, I know it was all worth it when my bride and groom are thankful I was there by their side. I like knowing I have helped make their wedding day better.

As an educator, I feel I will have been successful when I have inspired and given hope to a teen who may not necessarily know which path to take. I feel great when I am able to cheer someone up. To help them gain confidence and a desire to follow their dream and to know their worth. I want to be an inspirational and memorable person in their life. My goal is to leave a footprint on their life, one that they can look back on and be inspired by. This is why I have also developed a focus on senior portraits. I want to get to know them and be able to capture their personalities and who they truly are. Nowadays teenagers struggle with confidence because of social media. My goal is for them to embrace their beauty, as well as, their imperfections during my session. Seeing that they are beautiful just the way God made them. I remind them that one of the most important things in life is to love oneself. That is one of the most attractive qualities in a person, self-confidence.

Pricing:

  • Wedding Collections start at $2,600 (8 Hour Coverage)
  • Senior Portraits $250
  • Family Session $500

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Laura Lee and Patrick Hall

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.

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