Daily Inspiration: Meet Gwen Hernandez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwen Hernandez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
On a hot night, my siblings and I were trying to sleeping in the backseat of our old beat up car sweating, with my mom desperately fanning us with a piece of paper to try to cool us off. I remember wanting to capture the love and desperation in her eyes. Growing up homeless some of my childhood from sleeping in cars, barns and on roadside benches at times has made me who I am today. I have experienced life differently than most. That’s where my journey to succeed and my passion for photography began. We would work with my dad to make a few dollars. While my brother and sister bought candy, I bought a disposable away camera. Being poor, I wasn’t able to get them developed very many times, but I had always hoped to one day. Sadly with all the moving most got lost along the way.

As I became a teenager, I started learning about ISO. I remember being in a store trying to find 800 iso disposable cameras to do pictures later in the evening. I became pregnant at 14 and had my beautiful son Aaron. I continued to go to school and went to college to get a few degrees. I did I got my first point and shot Nikon camera in my early 20’s while going to college. I would do sessions on the side for free because I truly enjoyed capturing people’s emotions and memories. My love for photography continued to grow throughout college and the many years in the criminal and legal field. I knew in the back of my mind that my full passion was photography. When we got the offer to move to North Carolina for my husband’s job, I decided to leave my career and do my photography full time. It has been the best decision I have ever made. I enjoy every minute of my job. I get so overly excited when I am on my way to shoot a wedding or a session. It fills my heart with joy. I am still on my journey to succeed and loving every minute of it. My saying is “Life is a journey, smile and enjoy the ride”.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have had many struggles, from being homeless as a child to moving to a new place where no one knew me and trying to start a full business. It took me a full year of networking and hard work to grow my business to what it is today. I am so proud of my accomplishments.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With my honors degree in behavioral science, I feel that I not only try to capture beautiful moments for my clients, I also want to give them an experience they will remember forever. On wedding days, I am a giant smile and calming voice for my couples especially for my brides. The number 1 thing my couples say is that I made them extremely comfortable and they truly enjoyed the session. I am extremely proud that I can do that for them. As we know taking pictures can be very nerve-racking so having someone that can make you comfortable can make a big difference.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That every one of my clients are like family to me and that’s why I treat them like it. I truly care about everyone and them booking me means the world to me.

Every time someone books me, I dance around like a little kid. Not because of the money, because I know I get to provide a wonderful experience for them and capture their beautiful family moments, rather it be business, maternity, weddings or family.

I truly love what I do.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.vmpbygwen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivid_memories_by_gwen_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmpbygwen