Meet Lily Junker-Gregson | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lily Junker-Gregson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have loved art ever since I was a little kid and growing up, I thought I couldn’t make it as an artist because everyone is an artist. I still took art classes, photography classes, drew with charcoal and color pencils, wooded burned, and I also danced as well, art never left my life. Fast forward to college I originally wanted to major in Wildlife, so I attended Humboldt State University. Throughout my college years I realized I am not a wildlife scientist and changed my major to Enviornmental Studies with an emphasis in Media Production. While always taking art and dance classes along with my main major’s classers. I realized I loved Photography, and I could see myself doing photography professionally leading me to decide to double major in Studio Art with an emphasis in Photography. I fell in love with two main aspects of photography one is taking portraits and seeing people’s reactions when they saw themselves and called themselves beautiful. The other was how creative I could get with photography through sets, makeup, clothing I could create whole worlds in a single image. After Covid I decided to really push myself and see if I could make it as a professional Photographer. I realized I only have one life why not take risks and see if I can make it doing something I love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a photographer I have photographed anything and everything from jewelry and furniture to families and people. As I mentioned earlier, I love doing glamour shots and helping people feel amazing when they look at their photographs. I love talking to people and understanding who they are to create the best photo experience and to help them fall in love themselves. However, I also love to create images that are more on the creative side. Such as photographing darker photos at the haunted trails and doing special effects makeup or creating romantic fairytale images that are light and dreamy. I love creating worlds with images and it is always fun for people to dress up and get their makeup done for a fantasy photoshoot. I am very proud of myself to just get my business license and start taking my passions for photography further. I have never owned my own business before, and it is not easy. The hardest part starting out is obtaining paying clients. However, I keep advertising my business, telling people about it and being flexible expanding my talents to be able to photograph everything. I have learned in order to make it you have to take risks. Photography and any other art practice requires risks, to never hold back, keep pushing yourself, and just keep telling people about it. Sometimes the biggest challenge is overcoming your own thoughts and doubts. If you want it go for it. But one thing I want people to know about me and my business is I want to be inclusive to all and to listen to everyone’s ideas of what kind of photoshoot you want. No idea is too crazy in my opinion, please reach out and we can create something amazing. Weather it is an Alien Photoshoot, a cosplay photoshoot, boudoir, glamour, or headshots I want to listen and help create the best experience possible. Let’s get crazy and creative together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would love to take them to Hillcrest to just walkaround and explore all of the art galleries and choose a random place to eat because I have yet to have any bad food experiences there and I want to try them all. I am a huge theater nerd and so if a show was in town, I would love to get tickets at the San Diego Civic Theater downtown and get some dinner afterwords, I honestly don’t go out to eat a lot so I don’t have many recommendations, I would look on my phone, see what’s around and go to wherever sounds good in that moment. Another thing about me is I love live music, specifically rock, metal, and pop punk so if a show was in town I definitely would get tickets to go to a show with my friend. I feel like everyone that comes to San Diego needs to go to Balboa Park and explore all of the museums and gardens. All of Balboa is beautiful and you can spend a whole day just looking at everything. The last place I would take them is Belmont Park in Mission Beach the whole area is fun with fun food, rides, and small carnival games.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could have never made it as far as I have without my family’s support. They are my biggest fans always cheering me on and helping me out when times are tough. They never stop believing in me and pushing me to be the best version of myself I can be. I specifically want to thank my mother, who is also my best friend. Without her I would have never made it this far and would have never pushed myself to make it. She is my rock when I feel like I am going crazy and when I need a moment of realization. I am very, very lucky to have the best support system anyone could ask for.

Website: https://lilyjunkergregson.wixsite.com/lilyjgphotos

Instagram: LilyJGPhotos

Image Credits
Photographer: Lily Junker-Gregson