Meet Justin Borja

We recently connected with Justin Borja and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Justin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Sounds crazy, but I began to understand the importance of work ethic by playing Animal Crossing. It was when I first learned the value of money or “bells,” and that everything you needed to survive came at a cost. That cost came at the price of the character having to hustle and take on responsibilities, whether it was through selling items or completing villager requests. Ultimately, it was the military that really strengthened my work ethic during my time in the Air Force.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

It all started when my father bought my first DSLR camera when I was seventeen-years-old. I had no intention of getting into photography, but my father always pushed me to try new hobbies and expand my comfort zone. Turning eighteen and becoming a freshman in college, I had to figure out what to do with my life. My parents wanted me to pursue nursing; however, that was not what I saw myself doing. I found myself staying up late due to homework, studying for lectures that didn’t capture my attention and attending classes that would overwhelm me with information that I couldn’t wrap my head around. I had to find some way to decompress and photography turned into an outlet for expressing my emotions. That’s when I started taking pictures for fun.

Immediately, I became fascinated with photography. Semester after semester, I continued taking pictures and decided that I would change my major to general studies and focus my way into freelance photography. A few years go by and companies began showing interest in my pictures. From that point on, a lightbulb went off in my head, and at that moment I knew that my appreciation and love for photography could be more than just a hobby, I could turn it into a career.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Socializing and making connections is an invaluable resource that contributed to my photography journey. Being able to put yourself out there to meet new people and ask questions is the best way to learn. Resilience kept me going even during difficult times, and really proved to myself that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to. Discipline to keep my career always at the forefront, because my business is my highest priority.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents gifted me my first DSLR with all of the bells and whistles, because they knew I wanted to pursue my hobby in photography as a career. If it weren’t for their generosity and support, I don’t know if I would be doing this interview today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.borjavisuals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borjajayyy/