We’re looking forward to introducing you to Virginia Hernandez. Check out our conversation below.
Virginia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that brings me joy is learning to play bass guitar. I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument as a kid, and while I am definitely an armchair expert on music history and artist backgrounds, playing music itself always seemed very intimidating.
My partner Mike Boyd is one of the most dynamic players in the Austin scene, and with a ton of patience and time, I was able to learn the foundations of bass during the pandemic. Over the past year, I joined Femme Rock, playing in three student bands, and I’ve continued practicing on my own as well.
Now I’m learning how to improvise around chord structures, and it was a process so scary at first, I would freeze up during lessons. But I am starting to feel muscle memory kicking in, and it’s becoming easier and way more fun. It’s bringing me so much happiness and satisfaction, and it’s easily the best thing I’ve done for myself in my adult life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a professional photographer, video producer, and creative director. My journey started very early, with a love of photography and a drive to capture stories in ways that felt both real and artful. My career path has led to investing in my own business, Virginia Hernandez Photography, where I’ve explored event photography, portraiture, and documentary work full-time for the past three years, and I also recently launched Streamline Creative ATX, a full-service production company, with my creative partner.
What makes my work unique is the ability to overlap two worlds – the intimacy of personal storytelling combined with the polish and professionalism of high-level production. At the heart of everything I do is a belief that visuals should feel honest, intentional, and powerful, whether it’s a personal photo series or a polished campaign. Connecting with clients and truly understanding the intentions behind their needs is an integral part of creating work that resonates with both them and the audience.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
A part of me that served its purpose as an entrepreneur is the endless drive to work. When forging on my part to independence, I was always just over the edge of burnout. I accepted every gig, no matter how inconvenient or low-paying it was – I just felt like I needed to keep working and making contacts in order to be successful. I would sometimes work 60-70 hours a week, but not have the bank account to show for all of that effort, and my friends and family got the short end of the stick.
I recently released the idea that nose to the grindstone 24/7 is the way to be successful. I’ve learned a lot about creating boundaries around work, which is challenging when you work at home, and I’ve realized that I was undervaluing my work. Once I made the mental decision to be okay with turning down work or turning in a bid that reflects my experience and talent, my work life improved dramatically.
Being dedicated is necessary, but living in burnout can quickly kill your motivation. Finding balance isn’t always easy, but it’s essential in the long term.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Even though suffering can sometimes be part of the equation during a challenging situation, after you process your circumstances and the outcome, situations of struggle can help develop growth far faster than success does. After a failure, mistake, or just a scenario you weren’t anticipating, most entrepreneurs are motivated to correct course based on what they’ve learned. You keep moving forward, and every time you learn a lesson, you get better at what you do.
There’s no such thing as the perfect, struggle-free journey, and viewing struggles as opportunities to raise your game is the best way to demonstrate resilience as a business owner.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In photography and video, there are always new trends, new technology, and new editing methods. I really just trust my eyes and my instincts. I prefer to edit for a more timeless look, even if the tools, like the camera, lenses, and editing software, are all modern and up-to-date. That doesn’t mean I never utilize trends, but I can tell there’s a foundational shift when I look at my own work, and it feels stale or forced.
I feel like there is a genuine shift in editing and composition styles every couple of years. To truly achieve the “timeless” look – where your work looks as relevant years later – is actually very difficult, and it probably only happens maybe 10% of the time. You can’t predict the future of people’s tastes and what technology might bring. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to trends, even if it’s obvious they are fads and will eventually fade over time.
Things like light leaks, motion blur, FX filters, close crops, and monochromatic images are all trends that have come and gone and come back again. Whether they look like a “fad” or create a work of art is up to judicious usage.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I am doing what I was born to do now. I started becoming interested in photography as a kid, as young as 8 years old. It was always a hobby, and I daydreamed about making it a career, but I had no idea how. I’ve been through a couple of careers at this point in my life, and I have never felt so fulfilled as I do being an entrepreneur chasing what I love to do. Creating unique and artful images for people that they treasure and share is one of the most rewarding parts of the work. You never know what impact you will have, and when clients share a meaningful story or come back years later to reconnect with you, it really drives home the significance of imagery in our personal histories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://virginiahernandez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginia.hernandezphoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-hernandez-223411345/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiahernandezphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StreamlineCreative
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/longcovid_photodoc/
Image Credits
All images by Virginia Hernandez
