Meet Joseph Hernandez of Live Free Snaps
My photography journey started right after a serious accident I had on a skateboard. I suffered a Tramatic Brain Injury with cracked Temporal bone. I bled for 9 hours inside my head and out of my ear while I slept in my bed, the doctors said it was a miracle I survived the night. I lost my sense of smell, along with several other symptoms that still persist. I wasn’t able to work for a while so I had time to think on my hands. At this time I had just started school for aviation science. I had to withdrawal from school. But with the time to think I decided it wasn’t the life I wanted anyway. I mean yes I want to fly but I don’t want to live my life behind the wheel. I had always loved art, but I’ve never done anything about it. I started work again a couple months after my accident, so I saved my pennies and bought my first camera. I practiced and studied day in and day out. I can honestly say I love taking and editing my photos. I love the entire process. I am still learning today and I imagine I always will be.
Is the road ever smooth? There are always obstacles that get in the way of what we want, or even need. I have struggled and continue to struggle financially. The market is extremely saturated as well. I’m not the best marketer out there, that is for sure lol.
My business is Live Free Snaps. I love doing all sorts of photography. I like to consider myself a photographer for all occasions. I love doing it all. From the first click at a photo shoot, to the smile on my clients face when they see the edits.
Since my accident my definition of success has changed dramatically. I used to think success was a nice car or 6 in the driveway, and yes I still wouldn’t mind this, but to me true success would be to have all of that and still have plenty of free time to do other things in life that I really love. Being able to be there for family, friends, and myself, would be true success to me.
