Today we’d like to introduce you to Demi Fraire.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Demi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My passion for photography and filmmaking began when I was very young. I was always the girl in the family taking pictures and filming at our camping trips and get-togethers. I’d make family home videos with all the footage I had captured throughout the year, and editing those videos together sparked my interest in turning visual storytelling into my career.
When I went to college, the planner in me kept telling me to study psychology to become a psychologist and have a reliable career, while the artist in me told me to embrace my creativity and study filmmaking no matter what career obstacles came my way. People have always described me as a spontaneous, split-second decision-making gal, so of course, filmmaking won. In 2017 I earned my BA Film and a Minor in Psychology from The University of North Texas in Denton.
With my degree, I dreamt about making documentaries that would make it to the big screen. I applied to hundreds (yes, hundreds) of companies, seeking to begin my career as an aspiring filmmaker – but as expected, it was a difficult journey. Finding a job in my field of study right out of college was a challenge. Employers required extensive real-world experience that I could only get by getting hired by them to give me that experience. My internships and college degree weren’t enough for them, so it was a long and discouraging path for me.
In the meantime, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life and got married. I remember crying profusely when I received the beautiful emotion-filled photographs and videos of my big day. I rewatched my wedding video so many times that I had everything memorized in order, and I couldn’t stop looking at all the wonderful pictures my wedding photographer took. It was the happiest season of my life and the emotions I felt were inexplicable. All I can say is I was overwhelmed with joy.
It was then that I realized I could help someone else feel the way I felt, by helping them capture their special day as my photographer and videographer did for me. It was then that I could clearly see that my purpose in life was to serve others by being there for them in the most meaningful and joy-filled moments of their lives, preserving their milestones for generations to come. That is when Friday Films + Foto was born.
Soon after, I met an experienced wedding photographer in the area that kindly offered to mentor me through my journey as a wedding photographer. I shadowed her through countless wedding days, learning so much from her as she photographed weddings almost as if she was born doing so. My love for wedding photography grew and I knew then that I was right where I was supposed to be.
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?
I don’t believe anyone will tell you that starting your own business will be easy – especially if you don’t have a business background. The two most challenging aspects of my business were learning about the legal side of things (accounting, taxes, etc.) and building my portfolio in order to begin marketing myself as a professional. Sure, I had the skills and knowledge it took to provide a good product, but just as employers seek to hire someone with experience, clients too wish to hire someone who knows what they’re doing and whom they can count on to capture their once-in-a-lifetime event successfully. I’m grateful for all the photographers and videographers that allowed me to second shoot for them while giving me the practice I needed in order to become a professional and book clients on my own.
I believe that the most difficult tasks in life become the most rewarding and this is definitely one of them for me. I created my business from scratch and it’s been amazing getting to watch it grow and seeing my progress from when I first started. I’ve learned so much along the way and it’s always a great feeling delivering a product that my clients love and get to share with their families forever. I’m incredibly grateful that God gifted me with this business and the passion it takes to make it grow and serve people through it every day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Friday Films + Foto – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My business, Friday Films + Foto, specializes in capturing weddings and milestones. Most of my work involves once-in-a-lifetime events such as weddings, college graduations and first birthdays. I’m there for people who wish to celebrate important moments in their lives and turn them into lifelong memories with beautiful photographs and films.
What sets me apart from others is how much I value people. I’m not in business for the money nor the recognition. I do what I do in order to serve others and help them preserve their memories forever. I come from a family of immigrants, so a lot of my aunts and uncles still live in Honduras. Had I not hired a wedding photographer and videographer to document my big day, my family in Honduras would’ve never been able to witness the vows I made to my husband and the beautiful celebration we had.
Others have family members of old age whose memories are fading, and all they have to remember their lives by are photographs and old videos. They no longer have stories to tell their grandchildren, so whatever photos and videos are left from their lives is what their families can use to reflect on what a great life they lived. I’m proud to be able to provide a product that makes a difference in people’s lives. The photos and videos my clients receive will help them relive those joyful moments they badly wish they could time travel back to for years to come.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As I mentioned, my passion for visual storytelling began when I traveled with family and captured the beautiful sights that come with camping. I never thought that one day part of my job would involve traveling! The proudest moment of my career so far was getting the opportunity to film a wedding in Indianapolis, Indiana. My business is based in Texas, so I felt so blessed to be given the opportunity to travel to Indiana (and for the first time!) to capture the love between a sweet couple that trusted me to film their wedding beautifully. My hope is to book more weddings outside of Texas and eventually become a Destination Wedding Photographer and Videographer!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fridayfilmsfoto.com
- Email: fridayfilmsfoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: fridayfilmsfoto
- Facebook: fridayfilmsfoto
Image Credit:
Headshot Photo Credit: Mordi Photographie
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