Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Quadra Andrews.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My dad always loved photography, so we always had photography books around the house. Some of my favorites to look through included “The Instant It Happened” – a book of images from photojournalists spanning the early to mid-20th Century. I was fascinated by the power of photography and what a photographer was capable of capturing in the matter of a second.
I took a photo class in high school where I learned how to process my own film and work in a dark room printing my own photographs. It was exhilarating. That led me to taking black and white film photography classes in college where I continued to work in a dark room, submitting and showing work at local galleries in southern California and eventually shooting my first wedding! I was 19 and my friend’s older sister was getting married and had a teeny budget but a whole lotta love and faith in me as a burgeoning photographer. This continued over time – shooting weddings for friends or family until I met a wedding planner who was also starting to get her feet wet in the world of wedding photography. I built my portfolio slowly but surely until it became a full-time job. It was such an organic process. I know photographers who up and quit their jobs to assist or second shoot after deciding they want to be wedding photographers having never done it before. I love hearing stories like that! My process wasn’t so immediate though. That wedding I shot for my friend’s older sister was 18 years ago, which feels like a lifetime ago, but it is such an important part of my journey as a photographer.
Now being a wedding photographer is such a part of who I am and I feel so in the zone at every wedding I photograph. I never take that position for granted though. I still get butterflies before every wedding I shoot!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle for me has been managing a business during slower seasons and transitions into new markets. I moved my business from Southern California to Spain and then to Dallas. The biggest challenges have come from getting established in a new market each time. Meeting vendors and getting your name out there takes time. I’ve learned I need a lot of patience and understanding that things just don’t happen overnight. Slower seasons can get you down too when you’re a small business. It’s something that just comes with the territory. Luckily in Dallas, weddings seem to take place year-round, so there aren’t really dry months per se, just slower months. This can also be a plus because it means I can take advantage of putting more time toward updating my website, marketing and networking.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jessica Quadra Photography – what should we know?
I specialize in wedding photography. Couples who choose Jessica Quadra Photography want timeless and natural photos. Photos that are beautiful but feel real. I love shooting editorially even at weddings – like capturing details from the bride’s shoes to the couple’s invitation suite, but capturing real and authentic moments is most important to me. I love hearing my couples say they were so excited to see certain images from their wedding that they might have otherwise missed. It also makes me so happy and like I’ve really done my job when people tell me they felt relaxed and in the moment on their wedding day and never felt like they had to worry about me getting the shot. If I can relieve stress for my couples on their big day, that’s a big win for me. I am super invested in each person I work with and I sincerely care about them having an amazing, worry-free day. I think that’s what sets me apart from other photographers.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being sensitive and understanding and responsible and organized are the key to success in my business. Weddings can be so emotional, from the planning to the day of. Being sensitive to what a couple needs from me throughout our process of working together helps me in alleviating any stress they might have. This ties in with being responsible and organized. We work together weeks before the wedding day so that when the day does come, I know exactly where I need to be, what I need to capture, etc. That way I’m as unobtrusive as possible and the day runs smoothly.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jessicaquadra.com
- Phone: 469-337-1979
- Email: jessica@jessicaquadra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaquadraphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicaquadraphotography/
Image Credit:
Jessica Quadra Photography
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