Meet Jussara Sandoval

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jussara Sandoval.

Jussara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in New York. I grew up as an only child with a single mom who had to work a lot. For as long as I can remember I have always been a curious and creative type. Even when I was young I knew I loved to learn, and art has always peaked my interest. Growing up in the melting pot that New York is, it was a great place for me to learn about the many cultures, foods, and arts that surrounded me. I learned to play instruments, like the guitar and the piano. I did ballet and gymnastics as a child, I even took some art and painting classes.

I eventually got married and had two beautiful children. Unfortunately, our marriage didn’t work out so, after the divorce, I moved to Arizona with my two boys in 2000. I got a desk job, and got comfortable here, even remarried and had two more kids. Wanting to start a career I went back to school and became a certified Medical Assistant, for the next fifteen years. In 2016 I decided to go back to school for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Being so caught up in my family life, I had lost track of my love for the arts. Conveniently I needed some elective classes, so I decided to take a photography class. I instantly fell in love, researching the tips and tricks of other photographers, just absorbing all the information I could about that profession. I have always done our family portraits, having a family of 6, the budget was a bit tight, so it was something I knew the basics about already. Besides my family knew I loved taking pictures, my kids would even call me, “Momarazzi” because I had to take pictures of everything. While at school I started losing interest in pursuing a nursing degree, don’t get me wrong I enjoy my job as a medical assistant and enjoy helping people, but with photography, it just felt like I had been reunited with an old friend. So I started taking all the art and photography classes instead.

Unfortunately not too long later, my husband was let go from his job after working there for 13 years. With our financial situation, I had to drop out of the nursing classes, and thankfully the photography classes were my escape from our situation. From then on I could not put the camera down and the rare times that I did all I could do was think of being with my camera and capturing each precious moment in time.

Has it been a smooth road?
At first, it was hard to believe in myself as an artist, there was always this self-doubt because I would see all this amazing art and photographs and I would think “wow if I could only be half as good as them”. Then I started to do portraits for people and to see a client smile or a few would get emotional when they see their pictures as forever memories, that’s when I knew “I can do this, I am a photographer.” Also, consistency was a bit a struggle at first especially when my husband lost his job. But somehow photography helped me financially through that time.

The best feeling in the world is seeing the joy that these photographs give them. Photography is my hobby, my escape, and I find myself having the biggest smile when I talk about it.

Please tell us about your business.
The big focus on my photography journey is photographing families, senior portraits, and maternity, honestly I love to capture it all kinds of portraits. I love newborns as well, being apart of their journey, seeing them come back every year for their annual portraits. I also love to take pictures of sunsets, landscapes, and nature.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I miss New York in its diversity in every sense of the word. In Phoenix however, I truly enjoy the beautiful sunsets and how it’s continuously growing culturally every day. One thing I dislike is the heat!!

Pricing:

• Maternity $250
• Families/Seniors $200
• Newborn $250

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Jussarasphotography.com
• Phone: 516-884-4334
• Email: Jussara.sphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Jussara_sandoval
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/jussarasandovalphotography

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