Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Roach.
Hi Joel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Joel Roach, and I am from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where I spent most of my life until 2015. After volunteering in Ecuador—teaching the Bible and assisting with disaster relief following a major earthquake—I moved to the vibrant city of St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2021, I relocated to Palm Coast, Florida, where I launched a multimedia photography business, Buena Vista Photography Services. Through this work, I use visual storytelling to help real estate professionals, developers, construction managers and others connect with their target audiences.
From 1998 to 2002, I attended Cleveland State University, majoring in biology with a focus on ecology. With the goal of becoming a nature videographer, I also studied audio and video production, photography, and graphic design. During that time, I was mentored by renowned art and photography professor Masumi Hayashi, who encouraged me to explore architectural photography. I created montages of several Cleveland landmarks, including The Arcade, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, designed by architect Frank J. Gehry. Those early projects served as a bridge to my current work.
My background in biology eventually led me to a career in health care. I began by assisting with outcomes research in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Cleveland Clinic. That work introduced me to the field of patient experience, where I led multidisciplinary initiatives focused on improving how patients interacted with caregivers, hospital culture and the physical environment. At Cleveland Clinic, and later while overseeing patient experience at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, I participated in committees to enhance wayfinding, deciding signage and environmental cues to guide patients and families through large hospital campuses. At the time, I did not realize how closely this work would parallel storyboarding and video production, skills I now use to design visual navigation through homes and commercial spaces.
As the owner of Buena Vista Photography Services, my professional experiences have been deeply enriching. My customers have had great success with selling a wide variety of properties, from beautiful residential houses to commercial buildings and developments. It makes me happy to learn of the positive outcomes that my clients achieve. It proves to me that putting the quality time and effort into my business makes it all worthwhile.
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?
Initially, starting and implementing my business was not a smooth road. As I was determined to overcome challenges related to establishing my presence in a competitive market, the road became smoother.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am not only a photographer and videographer, but I am a storyteller. I do not only deliver images, but visually compelling stories that connect emotionally with the viewer. I achieve this goal by understanding the needs and desired outcomes of my customers.
What’s next?
Each year I grow my presence locally while being introduced to new areas and markets. I look forward to continuing to expand my business while using creative ways to enhance my workflow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buenavista-ps.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buenavista.photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DsE8ftesb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@buenavistaphotography
