Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Tran
Hi Jocelyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love of photography began when I was younger and in high school, with me taking my first photography courses and learning the basics. I continued taking courses a few years after that, and I ended up taking a break but always continued to think about it and wanting to get back into it, however, with working full-time, going back to school to obtain my Master’s degree, and other life obligations, I failed to make the time to. I often would find myself in new spaces and beautiful places and would turn to my husband and tell him how much I missed photography and wished I could create art again.
After the birth of my son a few years ago, I found it difficult to go back into the office, and my husband and I agreed that me staying home with our son would be the best option for our family at the time. My husband gifted me with a digital camera so I could dive back into photography and take photos of our son and a laptop, so I could edit the photos that I take, and I found myself falling in love with photography all over again. I’m also very much a person that needs to be doing something, so I began taking on occasional photo projects and jobs. My plan was to initially just to create a side business, but I loved the business aspect of photography more than I had anticipated and decided to truly grow and elevate my business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think ever starting a business is ever a smooth road. There’s definitely learning curves, the need to grow, and new obstacles constantly being thrown your way. Being a new mom while also creating and building a business is also quite the adventure, and trying to figure out how to best balance motherhood with entrepreneurship can make things a little more complex. There have been many moments where I feel like I’m struggling to efficiently balance the two, and I’m almost positive that this will continue to be the case. That need and desire to spend all the time in the world with my son, show him that I’m present, and be there for every moment, while also meeting clients’ needs, brainstorming new ideas, and traveling for shoots is pretty hard sometimes. I think this is a pretty common struggle for a lot of working moms, and it’s a guilt that never really goes away but just has to be managed and understood.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a natural light and lifestyle photographer, so I mostly utilize the light that comes from the sun to take mostly candid images of people. Right now, my focus is mostly on couples, motherhood and maternity, and families, with occasional branding and empowerment photo sessions. My goal is to capture people artfully and authentically, representing who they are in that very moment.
Because love is at the center of my work, I’m really planning to dive more into elopements, particularly adventure elopements, where just the couple and maybe just a couple of their loved ones go out into in a nature setting and say their vows to each other. There’s something about marrying (no pun intended) love and nature together that I adore so much! Honestly, all you need is love at the end of the day. The other stuff is all extra!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The first lesson I’ve learned is that boundaries are 100% necessary. Boundaries are extremely hard for me, and I am someone who really wants to make everyone happy all of the time, even if that means stretching myself too thin, however, I’ve learned that as a business owner, I just can’t cross my boundaries anymore. “No” can be a complete sentence, and that’s okay sometimes. Amazing customer service is absolutely a crucial part of having a successful business, but it is okay for me to turn my laptop off and silence my phone at 5:00 p.m. It’s okay for me to take a day off after editing and having photo sessions for six days straight. It’s okay for me to stick to my personal practices and policies. All of this will make me a better and more efficient photographer for all of my wonderful clients, a better mom and wife, and a happier person overall.
The second lesson I’ve learned is that artists need time to just be. We need time to reflect and take in the world around us and transform it into our medium of choice. From walking through a park and seeing a family taking a picnic to journaling in a garden and gathering our thoughts, we have to use that space to gain inspiration and understand how we’re seeing the world. From there, we take what we’ve seen and turn it into something new.
Finally, being willing to learn and grow. I am constantly inspired by other photographers and their work, and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience out there. I’d be absolutely foolish not to pay attention to the experts and heed their advice, and I’m a firm believer in continuing to grow my knowledge by taking courses, reading books, and finding mentors. No one will ever have all of the answers, but I certainly believe in community over competition and value the information and talent that others around me already have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jocelyntranphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelyntranphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JocelynTranPhotography/
