Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey “Maverick” Solis.
Hi Joey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like most stories that I’ve read, I was currently studying at Baylor University pursuing a Biology major in order to prepare myself for med school. I shortly realized it was not what I wanted to do and switched majors to Philosophy and transferred to UTSA. At the time my parents (Ruben and Mary Solis), were one of the top real estate agents in San Antonio.
I was unhappy and not sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew deep down I would own my own business and become my own boss. Becoming a realtor and working with my parents was something I did not find appealing as I knew my personality was not cut out to be a realtor/salesperson. My mother one day asked me if I could photograph one of their listings which they were going to put on the market for sale. At the time, I had zero experience with photography; it was something that I had never seriously considered. My mother gave me the DSLR camera that they would use to photograph their listings and off I went.
I had no idea what I was doing, but I enjoyed it. Why? Because it made me some money! This is when I realized this could be the opportunity that I had always dreamt about. Becoming my own boss in a creative field, essentially getting paid for my photography. Thus, I went straight to YouTube to figure out how to become a photographer and editor. After countless hours watching videos, I had a general idea of how to handle and use a DSLR camera and how to edit photos, but of course that all means nothing unless you apply it to the real world, so I needed homes to photograph in order to hone my eye and skills.
This was probably around 2013 and at the time real estate photography was not as important as it is nowadays mainly due to the lack of social media. I began permanently photographing all of my parent’s listings which is how I got my start. Shortly after other realtors began to ask my parents “who is your photographer”, and thus the referrals began and what turned into a part-time gig turned into a full-time business with now two other photographers on my team.
I didn’t finish university, but I am grateful for the time that I was in school. Fast forward to today, we are one of the top real estate photography companies in San Antonio and I could not have done it without my parents pushing me to take photos for their listings, because it just didn’t seem appealing to me, but I am grateful they believed in me.
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?
It generally has been a smooth ride, but of course, there are many obstacles along the way which you must face. I think as an artist it can be difficult, especially mentally, when you put your heart into your work only for it to not be appreciated or liked by the client. It makes you doubt yourself and question whether or not you are as good as you think you are. I struggled mentally when viewing my work online because I always thought it wasn’t ever good enough.
I would see faults or things that I would have liked to do better, but as an artist, I think that is normal, especially if you are serious about your work and strive for perfection. It is difficult as a real estate photographer because there is a lot of pressure that falls on you from both the realtor and the homeowner, and expectations are high.
It is my job as the photographer to help the homeowner(s) showcase their home in the best possible way in order for them to move on to their next journey in life, and to help the realtor get the property under contract as quickly as possible. I love the pressure and I love the massive responsibility that it comes with, to be able to perform at a top-level consistently.
It is incredibly fulfilling helping these wonderful families and playing a small role in their lives, and that’s what pushes me to overcome any obstacle that I face.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a real estate/architectural photographer. My main business is working with realtors and photographing their listings to put up on the market for sale. I have photographed thousands of properties over the last several years and have helped families get their property under contract asap, and at the same time helping those looking for their dream home.
I am most proud of the consistent work I am able to produce and the quality of service for my clients. I have photographed the homes of CEOs, celebrities, doctors, military vets, school teachers, and many other professional fields, which is quite humbling being trusted to take photos of their most personal space.
I know how quickly the real estate market can move, which is why I strive to become the best that I can be and to deliver photos as quickly as possible without compromises. I work with some of the top real estate agents in the industry and I am the only photographer they trust with their listings, which again as an artist, is very humbling.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
There are many, but my favorite would be playing wall ball with my best friends back in elementary. Way before cell phones and social media was around. Life was pretty good as we didn’t have much back then. Just a ball and a wall to pass time.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.maverickphotographytx.com/
- Instagram: @maverickstudiophotography
