Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Harris.
Hi Isabelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came to the United States when I was 19 years old. Before that, I lived in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and had no idea that this would one day be my life. Once I graduated high school and convinced my family to let me move to the United States and go to college here, my life changed completely. I was met with hard hours of work and school, little to no social life, and a reality that I did not envision at all. However, I am an adventurous person, and I decided that I wanted to travel the world. That’s how I booked myself a solo trip to Europe, where I discovered photography and my passion for it. My first few pictures are my most memorable to this date, and some are even hung on my wall – like one of me jumping off a cliff in Riommagiore, Italy! However, a trip doesn’t last forever, and I was soon back in the States, faced with reality of work/study life and little time for photography. I pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, but I always had photography on my side view. During my last semester of grad school, I said, “What if I put all my time and effort into this passion and make it something bigger?” Just like that, I woke up on a random Saturday, opened my laptop, and started building my website, social media platforms, and even business cards. I joined networking groups and started sharing my work. I put myself out there, and the rest is history!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been as rocky and patchy as any road in Mexico. I think everything is about perspective though. So, yes, it has been rocky, but I try to keep a positive outlook on everything I do, and this way, things always seem like a blessing. What once seemed like a struggle is now a walk in the park. For example, learning English was not easy at the beginning, but now I do everything in that language. I have access to information in both languages, so I can learn from amazing professionals and connect with a ton of people! A lot of clients actually speak Spanish and always tell me that their experience was enhanced because of the language.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work now revolves around athletes and professional sports. I have a love for two sports, specifically tennis and motorsports. I have been a tennis player all my life, and I was raised in a family of Formula 1 fans. My love for sports, plus my love for photography, gave me a clear path into the world of sports photography. After just one year of building my brand, Habanero Production, I have gotten the opportunity to shoot at a Formula 1 Race, an F1 Academy race, and one WTA Tour tennis tournament. I am incredibly proud of my work from both of these events, as some of my pictures have been used by players, teams, and drivers and published on official sites. However, what I am most proud of is to be able to increase the amount of media coverage in women’s sports. As a woman, I am extremely proud to watch and photograph other women give it their all at their sport, and it is something I will do for as long as I can.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learnt since starting my photography journey is to bet on yourself and trust yourself. If you do not trust yourself or believe in yourself, no one will. I learnt that if I want to be great at what I do, I need to believe that I can be. This is a lesson that I have also applied to other aspects of my life, and it has taken me a long way! The key is to know that you can always get better and be the best, not that you already are.
Pricing:
- Hourly starts at $250
- Half-day events (5 hours) $600
- Day events (10 hours) $1200
- Week/Weekend/Traveling prices vary
Contact Info:
- Website: Habaneroproduction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/habanero.production
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habaneroproduction?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Isabelle Harris
