Meet Joana Quijada | Wedding, Couples, Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joana Quijada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was always a thought in the back of my mind for so many years, honestly since I was in high school to have my own business of some sorts. Did I know exactly what type of business, no not at all. All I knew was that I was never meant for the 9-5 office job for the rest of my life. I needed to thrive in my passions which included traveling and taking photos. Starting in 2012, fresh out of UCR, I decided to venture into wedding, family, maternity photography but I wasn’t focused enough to go full on with creating my photography business. Instead, I did what young twenty year olds do and that’s work retail jobs so I could travel, party and live life (so I thought)! Throughout this time I was working on my photo and editing skills by taking photos of my friends and my travels. Several times I tried to launch my business as a fashion and lifestyle photography, but I had trouble finding models and people to photograph consistently. Perhaps I did not know how to reach out to people but its okay because we will fail a few times throughout our process of finding the exact path we are suppose to be on. Those are necessary to guide us to where we need to be.

The pandemic and quarantine came storming in 2020 and I took that time to really focus on what I needed to do to be happy in my future. It took some soul searching and gut feelings to realize that I needed to just start my photography business. I organized all my photos all year and created my website mid 2021. I went on to buy myself a film camera and venture back to my first love of photography which is film. I then went on to buy myself a new digital camera to upgrade all gear and supplies to capture better quality photos. Finally a few months ago, JeQ Photography officially launched as a wedding, engagements, couples, family, and portrait photography business and I cannot be more excited! I realized I love candids and they are perfect for all these types of photos I will now be specializing in.

I am not going to lie when I say I am scared to have finally taken this leap into a new chapter but I am more than ready to tackle this journey and I am so happy to be doing it with my boyfriend, Ryan Harrah, who is also a very skilled photographer. I am not upset about the amount of years it took to launch JeQ Photography, but it was necessary in order for me to be fully ready to succeed when the time was ready. That time is now and if there is anyone else out there doubting their ability of starting a business, I say Go for it!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to think what sets me apart from others is that I capture my photos to resemble poetry. There is something about the lighting, energy and clothing of those you photograph and the emotion that comes out of it. Especially when I take candids. I am capturing that exact emotion in time. I always look at the image and think a poem or a certain song would be so fitting. You can say I am a hopeless romantic who hides it but I reveal it through my photos. I enjoy being creative, fun and capturing the love between two people being themselves as if I wasn’t there or the essence a person can bring through the camera for portraits. There’s something so poetic about it, especially when I shoot in film. Don’t even get me started with film! The effect of film, poetry, music and emotion all arises in my head as a film noir or moment in a movie. I am very excited to continue capturing moments with my film camera, since there is this excitement about what was captured. Its always a surprise when you finally get to look at the photos and realize this is the OG (original and old school) photography.

The lessons I have learned along my journey is to trust my gut feeling. That feeling is there for a reason and I chose to ignore it for so long. I knew all along this is exactly what I needed to do in my life but I shoved it aside. I tried to be normal by working as a marketing coordinator in an office as I stared out the window dreaming of this life I should be living instead. I wasn’t meant to be normal, I need to create and be creative!

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?
If I could be a tour guide for my friend who is visiting San Diego it would be filled with endless beach days and food! We would have to visit all the beaches from La Jolla up to Leucadia to enjoy the different areas. Then we would venture down to San Diego central region to visit Ocean Beach, Little Italy and South Park with all their endless restaurants that are available. So many restaurants are a must such as Civico 1845, Bahn Thai and Its Raw Poke Shop to name a few. We would also drive to Julian for the most amazing apple pie and do a little wine tasting out there.

Of course, the nightlife in Little Italy is also fun to go! We would definitely end it with a boat party around the harbor, because San Diego has epic sunsets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely love to give this shoutout to my mom (Amaaaa) who has been pushing me throughout all these years to launch my photography business. It took a lot of listening to her advice and telling her multiple times that I have a lot of ideas but never fully going full force on them. I would start and not finish, but I am happy to say that this is the time! Im doing this so I can help her and everyone close to me. I would also like to give a shoutout to Ryan Harrah, you reignited that spark of photography. I think we both sparked it inside each other again. I love that we were always on the same boat about launching our skills and talent. Thank you to you both, I love you both very much and please do not stop challenging me in my ventures!

Website: www.jeqphotography.com

Instagram: @jeqphotography

Facebook: @jeqphotography10