Hidden Gems: Meet Joseph Ibarra of Porchlight Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Ibarra.

Joseph, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was raised by my grandparents in Dallas, Texas, and it was there that I first fell in love with storytelling. In high school, I became fascinated with photojournalism and had a teacher who recognized something in my work and pushed me to take creative risks. At a young age, that gave me a strong sense of pride in my creativity and a belief that stories—when told well—can matter.

I went on to earn my BA in Photography from Dallas Baptist University. During college, I worked at a photography studio that, while challenging, became a turning point for me. The experience clarified what I didn’t want and ignited a desire to build something of my own—something rooted in respect, purpose, and integrity. Around that same time, I was preparing to marry my wife, which taught me early on that building a life worth having often requires doing the hard, uncomfortable work.

During my final year of college, COVID hit. My wife is from North Georgia, so we moved there, got married, and started our life together. I quickly joined a marketing agency where I eventually became Creative Director. While I gained valuable experience, the environment was unsustainable—high turnover, constant restructuring, and blurred priorities made it clear that something was missing.

That season pushed me to step out on my own. I became a freelance Director of Photography, working with agencies and brands across a wide range of projects. Over time, I realized that while the work was technically strong, many clients were being rushed through generic processes with little personal investment or clarity.

That realization led to the creation of Porchlight Productions.

Today, Porchlight exists to help businesses tell clear, meaningful stories that build trust and connection. Our mission is to bring overlooked stories into the light through thoughtful strategy, intentional storytelling, and professional execution. A porchlight represents safety, clarity, and welcome… Its a place where great stories get told confidently… and that’s exactly what we aim to provide for the brands and people we work with.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any founder has a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me early on was discovering that being good at the craft doesn’t mean you know how to run a business. Pricing, boundaries, SOPs, leadership have all been (kind of) figured out through trial and error. By no means would I say I have “arrived”.

Another challenge has been navigating how I want to mold my business in the early stages, so that when growth does happen – it’s sustainable. I had experienced terrible work environments, which forced me to wrestle with what kind of company I DIDN’T want to build… but I had no reference of what a healthy agency looked like until I found my current business coach.

Then there’s the obvious financial uncertainty of going out on your own, wearing every hat, and pressures of providing for my family while building something from scratch. There were plenty of moments where the safer option would have been stepping into more traditional roles.

As Porchlight has grown, the challenges have shifted. Learning how to scale without losing quality, culture, or care for people has been a constant balancing act. But each obstacle has sharpened the mission and clarified why we do what we do: to bring clarity, trust, and intention into an industry that often moves too fast and overlooks the human side of the work.

We’ve been impressed with Porchlight Productions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Porchlight Productions is a strategic video production company focused on helping businesses tell clear, meaningful stories that build trust. We specialize primarily in brand films and ads. Work that looks incredible AND helps people actually understand who a company is, what they stand for, and why they exist.

We start with clarity. Before anything is filmed, we spend intentional time understanding a brand’s mission, audience, and purpose so the story being told is honest and effective. If a company doesn’t yet have clear messaging, we help develop it in a way that can be used across all of their marketing efforts. That strategy-first approach allows our work to connect emotionally while still supporting real business goals.

We’re known for a highly personal, hands on experience paired with professional execution. Clients are never rushed through a generic process or handed off between departments. They’re deeply involved in shaping a story that feels authentic to them. That combination of care, storytelling, and craftsmanship is something we’re extremely proud of.

Brand wise, what matters most to us is trust… The name “Porchlight” represents safety, clarity, and welcome – a place where people feel seen and understood. That philosophy carries through everything we do, from how we treat our clients to how we build our team to how we approach each project.

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to bring overlooked stories into the light and help brands communicate with confidence, purpose, and heart.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is faith, family, and people. My personal mission is to glorify God, and my faith shapes how I show up in every area of life. It influences how I treat others and how I approach my work.

In a practical sense, that means I want to show genuine care, attention, and respect to every person I work with. I believe people deserve to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity – whether that’s a client, a teammate, or someone behind the scenes. That mindset carries directly into Porchlight Productions, where we prioritize honesty, clarity, and service over ego or volume.

Beyond work, my family grounds me and keeps my priorities in the right place. They remind me that success isn’t just about growth or output, but about building something meaningful and rooted in purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.porchlight.productions/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porchlightproductions/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephibarraporchlight