Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Haughton.
Hi Joanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started in the music industry back in 2010. I owned a recording studio, a popular Hip Hop website and managed recording artists. As my businesses grew, I required more and more assistance outsourcing work to website designers, photographers, graphic designers and videographers. When I ran into an issue after issue due to poor business practices and unreliability, I decided to teach myself some of these skills. Around this time, I joined forces with my current partner, Dion Dupree of Grind Mode Music Worldwide. For the past ten years, as creative director of Grind Mode Music and CEO of Her Vision Media LLC, I have dedicated myself to learning as much as humanly possible about my passions. Photography and videography has become something of a creative outlet in my life. I love music and being able to use my skills to enhance musicians’ careers has been extremely rewarding. These days the music isn’t enough and to create the whole package absolutely takes a team of dedicated individuals who bring various skills to the table. Our companies, Her Vision Media and Grind Mode Music, allow artists to focus on what they do best while leaving all of the rest to us to carry out their visions like a well-oiled machine.
I am at my happiest on set of one of our reality shows, filming a live performance for an artist, shooting a music video and doing photo shoots. I love the creative aspects of my job. I’ve since been part of various projects ranging from designing websites for clothing lines, restaurants, daycare centers and musicians, as well as shooting commercials for politicians, designing packaging for a line of cannabis products and so many others. I never would have guessed this would be where I ended up when I first entered the music industry but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It never works when you love what you do.
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?
My biggest struggle has been maintaining my dedication to my craft. It is really easy to get burned out doing what I do. Shooting is long hours on set and even longer hours in front of my computer screen. Editing is no joke and being able to edit well requires a ton of practice, experience and training. I would have to say it gets disheartening to edit something for hours and not have it turn out to be what you’d hoped. Getting discouraged in this growth process can put a creative person into a funk that is hard to snap out of. Thankfully I have a great support system to help me stay motivated and on task. I would have given up long ago if not for my husband and partner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would have to say I am best known for my polished photos, reliability and passion. I think one of my biggest strengths is my ability to capture an artist’s passion during a performance or in my photography studio. Getting the best live-action shots when an artist is lost in the moment is a challenge that I’ve had to continue to work on for years. Getting clear, focused shots and editing them well has been a process. When I have someone in my studio, setting the mood and guiding the client is really important. For me it isn’t so much about the posing as it is the emotion in the eyes. So setting the mood is really important. My reliability is another strength. If I say, I will be somewhere at a scheduled time than that’s where I will be. I have yet to miss a booking or a deadline. I set myself apart from my competition with my turnaround time. Photos are generally 24-48 hours turnaround and video projects are 1-2 weeks. Lastly, my passion and love for what I do make being on set or in front of my camera a great time. We are always having fun, boosting self-esteem and producing beautiful work. My passion compels me to work on a project until perfection. Half measures will never be a part of my vocabulary.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I learned that most people would be more apt to explore their creativity if only given the opportunity. Covid was an extremely busy time for my company. Everyone who was waiting to start their business or shoot their videos did it over Covid. I built more websites and assisted in launching new businesses over Covid than during any other period in my career.
Pricing:
- Photo shoots – $250.00
- Music Videos – $600.00 -$1000.00
- Hourly rate for events (photo & video) – $200.00
- Website design – starting at $500.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hervisionmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hervisionmedia/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERVISIONMEDIA/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerVisionMedia_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIbe0Unvjdg35pExJs30WLQ
Image Credits
Her Vision Media
