Tell us a little bit about yourself, your education, you first job maybe, and how did you start photography?
I’m Jo Lim of Jo Lim Photography. I am a newborn, baby, family portrait photographer. I graduated with a BS Chemistry degree from UST and my first job was a QC lab analyst in a multinational company. Though I like my job, I find it hard to get a permanent job as a chemist (it was a contractual position). After two contractual QCA jobs, my boyfriend, who is now my husband asked me if I wanted to try the animation industry. It was the start of my journey in the field of arts. My work as animation checker involves scene planning, camera stuff (like how to make the drawings work in camera). After 13 years, I quit my job to be a full time mom. And did some business on the side (home baking, personal care products, etc – I was a Jill of all trades :).. Then in 2006, I met a wedding coordinator who mentored me. I started my wedding coordination business in 2007. I enrolled and became a certified wedding specialist from Weddings Beautiful Worldwide in 2008. At that time, I wanted to learn how to take nice photos for my business website and social media (Multiply). In March 2008, I enrolled in my first photography workshop in The Alcove using a point and shoot camera. That was when I fell in love with photography. I couldn’t stop taking photos with my point and shoot camera. After a month, I bought my first DSLR (Canon 400D) and enrolled in the FPPF. I still remember Sir Lito Beltran asking me if I like to go into wedding photography since I am a wedding planner. I said no. But a month after the FPPF “graduation”, I was doing freelance work for a wedding photographer LOL!.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
What do you love most about what you do?
When I started out in photography, I wanted to specialize in food photography. Cooking, baking is my first love. I thought food and photography would be a nice combination. But one of my wedding planning clients booked me to shoot his daughter’s birthday party. I said yes just for the experience. It was fun and had a great time. That started my kiddie party event photography career. I love seeing kids smile, laugh. Their emotions are so pure. I would shoot pre-birthday portraits and I love their candid poses, reactions – they smile, they cry.
When I had my firstborn in 1991, I documented his monthly milestones with a point and shoot film camera. I didn’t know what I was doing then but I love taking photos of him, doing layouts for his photo album. So I guess I was already doing the growing up milestones that time. LOL.
Being able to freeze those moments, and in my current work, my client’s precious moments gives me utmost joy. Looking at my children’s photographs makes me so happy. And now when I see my little clients grow up thru the photos I took, I get that same overwhelming feeling of joy.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
What or who inspires you? Where do you find inspiration?
When I was going thru my first newborn photography video workshop, one of the things we have to know is our WHY? Taking photos of my children before I got into photography gave me so much happiness. What more for parents of my little clients?
I get inspiration from a lot of things – stories, magazines, nature, other photographers, paintings.
What is your favorite camera and lens? Could you tell us a bit about the equipment you use?
I’m currently using the Canon EOS R camera. For newborn sessions, my go to lens is Sigma 35 art 1.4. Though I sometimes use Sigma 50 art 1.4 and Canon 100mm macro for details. Since my studio is a bit small for other portrait work like family & maternity, I use Canon 24-70 2.8.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
Name an interesting place you’ve ever photographed?
When I was still new in the business, a coffee company took us to shoot in a coffee farm. It rained that day and the place was so muddy and slippery. It was my first time to see a coffee plantation. I learned a lot that day.
Travel destination? Favorite road trip perhaps?
My brothers (I have 3) are into photography too. I’ve been to places with them separately since we all live in different parts of the world. But the best travel destination for me was in the US. On my first US trip, my brother enrolled us in Aperture Academy’s Night Owl photo workshop where we explore and shoot San Francisco’s famous tourist spots at night – Lombard Street, Palace of the Fine Arts, shooting the Golden Gate bridge from Marin county, shooting the Bay Bridge from Embarcadero.
Then we went to Yosemite National Park for the famous Ansel Adams landmarks, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas. On my second trip, I made it a point to be there during the autumn season. It was so lovely! The orange/yellow/red leaves were so vibrant, the weather is chilly but it was nice. So I guess, road trips with my brothers are the best!
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
What music do you like to listen when you edit images? And can you name artists?
I like different kinds of music. But I tend to go more for the 80’s jazz rhythm vibe when I do editing work at night. For me, editing and music are therapeutic. I like Michael Franks, Workshy, Brand New Heavies, D Sound, Basia to name a few.
What is your dream photo shoot, dream photo assignment?
I guess like most photographers, I hope to be able to capture the Aurora Borealis – in Iceland or in Canada. I am drawn to night shots/photographs – whether urban or natural landscapes. Dream photo assignment – maybe to be able to do a quintuplet newborn session? That would be fun and at the same time pretty hard.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
Name at least 2-3 Filipino photographers you look up to?
These are my top 2
1. Ricky Ladia – the first time I saw his food photographs, I was in awe. It took me a year to wait for his workshop. He is one of the best food photographer for me. So super humble and kind.
2. Edwin Martinez – for his inspiring and breathtaking landscape photographs.
Do you ever get burned out? If yes, what helps you get back into the creative process?
Everybody does. There are times when I would ask myself, ganito na lang ba? I love photographing babies, especially newborns, but there are times when editing work is overwhelming that it ceases to relax me (especially cleaning up severe baby acne and blotchy skin tones). Or there are days when I don’t feel like pushing myself to market my business.
That means, I need to step back and take sometime off to travel – take photos other than babies or do other stuff not related to photography like one time I wanted to learn Interior Design (which was what I really wanted to take up in college).
Non-photography related, any other hobbies you love to do?
I love to cook and bake. I knit – which is very helpful for making props. I want to learn how to paint one of these days. I also like to sew. I love doing crossword puzzles.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
My advice is to study. You can’t go into battle unarmed, untrained. The best investment is not the tools – like camera, lenses, etc. Invest in workshops/training first, then your tools can follow. Then you will know what equipment you need to buy.
#fotografíaspotlight © Jo Lim, Filipino Newborn Photographer
Any photography project or discipline would you like to do after the enhanced community quarantine?
I’m a bit worried with my line of photography work. Mainly because health & safety is the primary concern in newborn photography. But I have in place added safety studio policy/precautions (on top of what we have in the studio now) when it is safe enough to resume newborn/baby portrait work.
Any message to fellow creatives during the pandemic?
Stay home. Stay safe. Make use of this down time to learn something new, re-edit some photos for new editing styles, coloring. Get enough rest, eat healthy… when this is over and everything goes back to the (new) normal, it’s gonna be busy. ☺
#fotografíaspotlight All images © Jo Lim and used with permission. To see more of her work, you may visit her website and follow her Instagram.