9th Island Photography

Greetings! We are CJ and Justin, and we would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves (likely a nod to Jay-Z).

Justin hails from the island of Oahu and currently resides in Vegas after spending several years working in various kitchens in Hawaii and moving up the ranks in fine dining restaurants on the Strip. Although he loved photography as a hobby for years, he never considered it as a career until he and his wife started a clothing business during the pandemic and decided to take photos themselves rather than hire a photographer. Justin enjoyed doing the shoots with his friends and editing the photos so much that he began to consider photography as a career. After marrying CJ and hiring a photographer for their own wedding, Justin was drawn to the photographer's freedom to work on his own terms and be compensated generously. Photography has provided Justin with a newfound sense of freedom and fulfillment that he never experienced in the cutthroat kitchen industry. He is grateful for his clients and supporters who have changed his life.

CJ, on the other hand, was born in the Philippines but grew up primarily in Vegas and Colorado Springs. She returned to Vegas because she regarded it as home and found snow to be more hassle than fun. Due to her Asian-American background, CJ was discouraged from pursuing a career in the arts and steered toward more lucrative professions. However, as she gained experience in business consulting and healthcare, she realized that those roles were not a good match for her. Once she and Justin began taking photos for their clothing business, CJ became excited about working in a creative industry again. She now serves as the photographer and social media manager for 9th Island Photography, captivated by each client's unique story and personality. She takes pride in helping her clients feel comfortable and confident during photoshoots and cherishes the support of her loved ones and clients who have helped her and Justin flourish as photographers.

Sincerely,

Justin & CJ