Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Herrera
Hi Javier, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started with a gift from a close family friend my freshman year of high school. My very first camera, a 1982 Nikon FE with a 50mm lens. I absolutely fell in love with photography and would carry that ol gal to school. I used that camera for everything and my parents were gracious enough to help pay for film and processing. There was no internet back then so I had to get really familiar with the library. I looked at a lot of Avedons work as well as Henri Cartier Bresson. After high school I moved to Lubbock to go to school and one of my jobs was working for a company called Party Time Photos. I’d go to events like Sorority and Frat parties and just take photos all night long, then turn in the film that night. It wasn’t glamorous but it paid the bills and I got to meet a lot of people! haha
I started shooting for myself professionally after I got married in 2005 and have been building my brand ever since. I shot mostly fashion in the beginning of my career and have now mostly transitioned to commercial and advertising work. I opened up my 2nd studio location in Fort worth after leaving my studio in Dallas back in 2011. My new location is in N. Fort Worth, and I’m on year 3 right now. I have some wonderful clients that have supported me throughout the years, many whom I’ve been working with for a very long time. I have one family in particular, The Harrisons, that I’ve photographed from their engagement to their wedding and now every year I shoot their wild Christmas Cards! I think it’s been 13 years now. My commercial clients keep me pretty busy and I’ve made some pretty deep relationships with many of them. A couple are Carlos and Martha Llanes from Spartan Carrier Group and Cory and Amanda Benton from Technics Auto Shield!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like any career path it’s been smooth at times and rocky at others. Being in business for yourself is never a completely smooth ride, hahaha but it’s all worth it because you are ultimately working for yourself. Your success and struggles are lessons that help you grow your business and brand. One of my biggest struggles has been not being a business-oriented person. My artist brain does not do well with running the day to day operations of a money-making business. If I could just shoot for free I would because I love what I do but of course I need to make money to provide for my family. God has been so good to my family and I, I’ve never been without, and have always pulled through the hard times. I’m so blessed to be able to do what I love and advancing the Kingdom of God through my work and love for people is what I cherish the most!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional photographer and videographer who specializes in commercial and advertising work as well as high-end portraiture. My studio is in N. Fort Worth. I’m mostly known for my unique use of lighting and my ability to produce great images no matter the time of day or place with natural and supplemental lighting. I guess what I would say separates me from others in the industry is really just my experience and years in the business. I’ve been doing this for so long that I’ve had the time to learn and experiment with all kinds of techniques, equipment, and lighting! There’s a lot of really talented young photographers in DFW though!!!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Oh man that’s a loaded question! I think with the coming of A.I. we as artists need to learn to shift and use A.I. to our advantage to better our business and not fight what’s coming. I know a lot of old timers are pretty resistant to the new technology but we’ve got to be able to adapt and use it to our advantage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.javierherreraphotography.com
- Instagram: @Javtastic82
