Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Reyes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My very first photo shoot took place during my freshman year of college. I was introduced to the community through some creative friends of mine who were itching to improve their photography and editing skills: they asked me and a few other people in our friend group to model for them. Back then, it wasn’t something I particularly put a lot of time into since it happened to be my first year of college. I was pretty set on gearing most of my focus towards school work and learning how to manage my time. Fast forward through a few semesters later, I attended a photography meet-up during the summer of last year hosted by Christa Egusquiza and Cesar Ramos and fell in love with the process of creating and collaborating all over again.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My short answer is yes, it has been a pretty smooth road. To go into detail, modeling is something I like to do as a hobby. Any issues I’ve faced with creating in the community would include situations like commuting out to the bigger cities like Dallas, or somewhere else that’s an hour away for a shoot, and only getting a few pictures back or pictures I don’t particularly like in return. They’re not incredibly major issues, but rather inconveniences that take up my time and turn out not to be worth it in the end. Though with all things considered, those problems don’t occur too frequently–which is to say it’s not big enough reason for me to stop doing what I do. I feel very fortunate to say that those are the only “struggles” I have faced because I am aware that other people in the community have experienced situations that would be very challenging to go through and discouraging all together.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I collaborate with other creators to model for portrait and conceptual photography. Every now and then I’ll get a chance to do a shoot that caters towards fashion and style and those are fun as well. As far as what sets me apart, I believe that is a subjective matter. I have had some people tell me they like my look–that I have “classic” features, others have commented on my expressions in photos: implying that the emotions I portray create a distinct and powerful mood or atmosphere captured in a picture. I’m sure there are people who think I’m absolutely ordinary, that there isn’t much that sets me apart from others and there’s nothing about that idea that bothers me at all. Overall, I like to constantly give credit to my photographers who I always say, “make me look good.” Many of them are so hardworking and dedicated to improving, it makes the creative process all the more exciting.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always interested in anything a part of the fine arts–especially music and literature. I grew up learning to play a few different instruments and even had a piece of my work published in an anthology when I was in fifth grade. I also enjoy sports and participated in athletics throughout middle school and high school. Personality wise, I’ve always been a pretty shy person: definitely introverted but that doesn’t stop me from being curious about other people that come from different backgrounds, walks of life and so on. I also have my quirks that include trying to find out everyone’s personality type and seeing how compatible we are as friends, or asking when someone’s birthday is so that I can go over all of the characteristics of their zodiac sign in my head to see if it’s accurate (lol). Overall, I’m pretty easy going and adaptable. I love to learn new things about myself and new people all the time.
Contact Info:
- Email: jordanreyes4@my.unt.edu
- Instagram: @jordannreyes
Image Credit:
Christa Egusquiza, Hina Surani–styled by: Madeleine Kalb, Christa Egusquiza, Cesar Ramos, Austin Lewis–styled by: Esmeralda Martinez, Spaceless Art, Lincoln Coleman, Simone Marie–makeup artist: Nelida Gregorio, styled by: Jo Nicole Terry
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.
