We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jocelyn Gayosso a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jocelyn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
During my early years, I was really into creative arts, especially drawing. It was my thing before I unexpectedly found my way into photography around 7 to 8 years ago. This switch happened when a friend of mine got a camera to take gym pictures. At first, I thought it was a bit odd since the gym is for working out, not posing for photos. But surprisingly, he started getting clients, not just for gym shots, but also for family, kids, and even modeling sessions.
I sort of became his “assistant,” which mostly involved lugging around his gear while he took the pictures. But as I watched him work during these sessions, I got fascinated by how he directed people and captured such amazing shots. This got me curious, and I started borrowing his camera to take pictures of pretty much anything that didn’t move.
Eventually, my friend gave me my own camera as a birthday gift, and I was super excited. I even took a trip to Austin with my sister, using her as a model for my first photography attempt. Of course, those early pictures were what you’d expect from someone just starting out – nothing too professional. I never really felt confident enough to consider booking clients, thinking I wasn’t that great.
Then, my now-husband pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. He convinced me to do a family session for his relatives, and to my surprise, the photos turned out better than I thought. That boosted my confidence and made me think I could actually do this.
Since that moment, I’ve taken on various photography projects – family sessions, maternity sessions, weddings, and even quinceañeras. I’ve also ventured into starting a photo booth service, offering both the classic photo booth and the modern 360-degree version. This journey has been about finding my passion and sharing it with others through the moments I capture.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Let me share a bit about myself. I was born in Miami, Florida, but I grew up mainly in Houston, Texas, specifically on the Southeast side, now known as EADO. Right now, I call Conroe, Texas my home, where I live with my husband Paul and our furry gang – Bailey, Apollo, Willie, Rocky, and Bagherra. Apart from my love for photography, I’m a big traveler. Currently, I’m in the final stretch of my studies at UHD, working towards getting my bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I’m also diving into the world of learning a third language – French. It’s an exciting adventure all on its own, adding an extra layer of enrichment to both my personal and professional growth.
Alongside my photography journey, I’ve also been an insurance agent at Allstate for a solid ten years. As many know, photography is where my heart is, especially when it comes to portraits and weddings. These areas are special to me because they allow me to really connect with clients and get to know their stories. My big dream? I’m aiming to turn my photography and photo booth business into my full-time gig and see how far I can take them.
Speaking of new things, I recently got myself a new camera – a fresh addition that’s bound to give a whole new dimension to my photography journey. And just a little sneak peek, there’s another photo booth in the pipeline, soon to join my offerings and bring even more exciting experiences.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three major game-changers that reshaped my journey were:
1. Cracking the Code of Manual Mode: Once you get the hang of manual mode on a camera, your photos suddenly skyrocket to a whole new level of amazing. It’s like a magic key that unlocks a world of quality and creativity.
2. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: Seriously, leaving that cozy bubble is where the real magic happens. It’s scary, sure, but trust me, looking back, you’ll realize those moments of pushing yourself were the best decisions you ever made.
3. Turning Passion into Action: You know what they say – if you love something, make it happen. But let’s be real, it’s not an overnight thing. It took me years of trial, error, and pushing past my own limits to see my passion evolve into something purposeful.
These three things? They turned my way of thinking upside down and inside out. They’re not quick fixes; they’re the results of sweat, growth, and stepping into the unknown. In time, I refined my skills, embraced discomfort, and transformed something I love into a full-fledged pursuit.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
To be honest, there are a few people who really stand out…
Let’s start with the friend who got me into photography – my best buddy. Like I mentioned, he roped me into his photography gigs as his “assistant,” and he’s the one who handed me a camera to dive in. He not only taught me the ABCs of photography but patiently walked me through every little detail about the camera. Even now, when things get tricky or I’m curious about how stuff works, he’s my go-to for advice.
Then there’s my husband. He’s the guy who pushed me to switch from taking pics of cars to capturing people. Right from the get-go, he’s been the one urging me to break out of my comfort zone. He’s my constant motivator, always cheering me on to pursue my dreams and aim higher. Honestly, I owe a lot to his unshakable belief in me – I wouldn’t be here doing what I love without him.
And my sister – she’s another huge influence. She started off as a model during a photo session in Austin, and ever since then, she’s been my reliable “go for it” supporter. I always run things by her because I know she’ll give me an honest opinion, with reasons to back it up. She’s an inspiration, even if she doesn’t see it that way.
Lastly, my parents – although they’ve passed away, their lessons continue to guide me. They drilled into me the importance of being a good person and assured me that if I stuck to that, good things would come my way. I’ve stuck by that advice, and I can honestly say it’s led to positive things happening in my life up till now.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gayossophotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayossophotography/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gayossophotography/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/gp_photobooth https://linktr.ee/gayossophotography
