Meet Joanna DeGeneres | Photographer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanna DeGeneres and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Joanna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To be honest, I moved to LA to be an actor, and I hated working in a
restaurant and was really craving a creative job that allowed me to be
my own boss while pursuing my acting career. My husband (boyfriend
at the time) was putting together a CD for his band, and he had me
take the band’s headshots for the inside cover of the CD. I was
holding the camera and I remember the moment I thought I could take
headshots for actors and it was like a lightbulb above my head the
way you would see it in the cartoons. I dove in and then over a few
years I was busier as a photographer than I was as an actor, so I just
decided to focus all my attention on photography.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am mainly a headshot photographer. I love working with actors every
day. I shoot other things, too, but actors’ headshots fill my schedule
the most. I have a job that I love and I think that makes me good at my
job. I want the people I meet to be successful. I love being a
cheerleader for actors and helping them with one of the most
important things in their tool bag. I am a team player and so grateful
that people trust me to take the photo that will represent them.
I have definitely learned that you get what you pay for and the biggest
mistake actors make is trying to cut corners. Time is the one thing that
you can’t have more of, no matter how rich you are.
I have also learned that having your photo taken is a very vulnerable
thing. You can’t hide anything from a camera and you have to be kind
to yourself and embrace what makes you unique. 
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love a night at The Hollywood Bowl. I am a HUGE musical theatre
fan and love the Pantages or Ahmanson to see a touring production.
There is a great spot for local artists and entertainment called The
Bourbon Room which always has fun and creative evenings of theatre
that you can’t find anywhere else. We live in the Valley, and my
favorite spot for atmosphere, great wine, and yummy food would be
Mirabelle Wine Bar. For the best sushi in town, we go to Sushi Note
on Ventura Blvd.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I wanted to quit my job and just do photography, my big brother
asked me how much money I needed to make that happen and he
gifted me enough to quit my job. So big shoutout to Jason!
Website: www.joannadegeneres.com
Instagram: @joannadegeneres
Facebook: https://www.JoannaDegeneresPhotography
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
