Meet Jaimee Ponce | Photographer and Artist

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

Hi Jaimee, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I perused a creative artistic adventure as work, because I couldn’t see myself making a career and life out of anything I wasn’t passionate about. I believe in authenticity and I believe that it runs through everything you do, work, home, spiritualuaity, I couldn’t do anything for a living that wasn’t authentic to who I am. This career chose me, I just listened. I picked up a camera, I paid attention to my strengths and weeknesses and I chose courage over fear.

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.
I am a photographer, I am drawn to photographing people. I strive to create art that preserves a person’s state, parts of their soul, captures the essence of who they are. The final photo can be inclusive of an action shot, a still portrait, a shot depicting the depth of their story in their eyes or a frame that summarizes a relationship they have. I want to create and capture a second in time that stops you, draws you in and makes you acknowledge

I strive to create impact with my images. I really enjoy black and white work, as I started in a dark room, watching images appear in front of me in the chemicals, pure magic to me. A few years after that I began my own company, photographing weddings, families and creating portraits.

There have been lots of challenges along the way. It is always a balancing act with photography, being a business and keeping it as my passion. Also, balancing family life with the passion of wanting my business to grow, creating work that I feel represents my heart and gives clients a unique perspective of their own story, I also strive to have customer service that makes my clients friends instead of clients.

I have found the best way to be successful, is not to focus on the parts, but to focus on authenticity. To be real, be real in my work, in my struggles, in my family, in my life- to bring my heart into it, to be open, vulnerable to life, to people, to depth. I don’t want to turn my head, I want to keep my eyes focused on what is in front of me and pray I can bring something real and lasting to everyone’s life that I touch.

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Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
BFF Visit around Tampa Bay:

We would start by taking our bikes through downtown Dunedin. Go to Veskolini’s Cafe, for coffee and a caprese sandwich. We could eat our way through Dunedin, so before we eat more, we ride all around the neighborhoods. On bike, you can take notice of how all of the houses have oranges painted on them and homemade chandeliers. So many beautiful homes with character. We would hit Bon Appetite later in the day at sunset, have some drinks and sit on the dock. End the evening with walk down Victoria Lane (the most beautiful street in the area).

Safety Harbor would be next- check out Marshall Street (the hidden one), the trails behind the spa, and eat at the Taco shop on Main. Check out the boutiques and get a pedicure.

Make an evening out of the Dunedin Causeway and get some pizza at the new pizza shop on Curlew.

Make a day trip to Tampa, walk down Bayshore, go to the Cheesecake Factory in International Mall, and check out south Tampa restaurants.

Beach it, estate sale it, take walks and bike rides, enjoy the palm trees, the homes, the people, the lifestyle here in Tampa.

Oh and bring your camera and photograph the things you love, is it the water and landscapes, the cute shops, the details, the food, the people, the people you’re with, photograph life!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to credit my family who has always been there to support my dreams, listen to my stories and pull me through the hard times. Without them I may have not had the courage to believe in myself or know anything is possible.

Website: www.jaimeeponcephotography.com

Instagram: Jaimee Ponce Photography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimee-ponce-photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimee.ponce.7