The Future of 'Aerial Jay Photography'
It’s been a interesting three years in the world of freelance photography. Looking back, there are definitely things I wish I could have done better, but I'm extremely thankful for what opportunities I've been given, what I've experienced, and what I've been able to build. It has taught me a lot about myself.
It’s been a interesting three years in the world of freelance photography. I’ve shot in a variety of capacities, learned some of the "do"s and many of the "don't"s when it comes to running a business, and have met some really amazing people through it all. Looking back, there are definitely things I wish I could have done better, but I'm extremely thankful for what opportunities I've been given, what I've experienced, and what I've been able to build. It has taught me a lot about myself.
Photography is a truly special medium to me. It has the power to affect the way we look at everything and everyone. I’ve been able to dabble in a lot of different kinds photography: weddings, portraiture, music, street, photojournalism...you name it. There so many different avenues one can pursue. Though I would love to say I can do and deliver in all of them, I've learned very quickly that I can't. And being a freelance creative comes with some costs and sacrifices.
A lot of lessons I learned the hard way, from making sure you have a plan the day of the shoot, having a workflow, making sure I have personal projects along with client projects, always making sure I have all the right legal documents in order, etc. But I think the most important thing I've learned is the importance of specializing and sticking to what you’re good at and most passionate about. When you try to do everything, too much, or say "yes" to everything, it's harder to build expertise in a particular niche. The "A-jack-of-all-trades-is-a-master-of-none" principle definitely applies. You also burn out a lot more quickly!
There are certain types of photography that I excel in, particularly with street, travel, and photojournalistic types where I'm free to roam and engage...
...and more dynamic types where I capture the action as it's happening. Music photography falls in that vein. The lights, the sound, the motion, and the communication....it's a combination of everything I love in one niche! I discovered that music and live show photography is not only something I've come to love, but something that came very naturally.
All of that to say, my plan for 2018 is this:
*To stop pursuing client work in the categories of Weddings, Engagements, Family Portraits, and Senior Portraits as potential business for Aerial Jay Photography.
The types of photography I will continue to do and focus on are:
- Travel & Street Photography
- Music & Live Show Photography
- Individual Creative/Conceptual Portraiture & Head Shots
- Print Merchandising
I've had the tremendous blessing of being able to serve some of the best people on the planet and build a decent body of work in these categories. I just feel like I’m not as strong with them. I think my free-roaming personality makes it challenging for me to continue in these lines of work. But mostly, I believe there are better photographers out there more well suited for them. So, I will leave it to them.
Motivation for the Future
When I first started shooting, I was into the street scene. I loved to explore and shoot things that were here one moment and then gone the next. That passion led me to photojournalism, and I got to see how a photo could change the world - how we saw a person, an event, a happening, an idea.
I set out to explore this medium that was newly opened to me, not quite knowing where I was headed. I just knew that I wanted to take good photos, and I wanted those photos to speak beyond one glance. I wanted to tell the stories that would get left out or forgotten, bring light to a place that otherwise didn't have it, and help people gain understanding that they didn't otherwise have before.
Our world is broken. It's full of chaos due to wars, poverty, the abuse of power, and it is misrepresented every day. The truth is drowned out by artificiality and conspiracy. The whole of creation gets overlooked because we live in a world of constant diversion.
I want my work to be channeled in a way that allows me to focus on dealing with world issues, amplifying the voices of people unheard, and magnifying the beauty of world we live in. It may not be as “lucrative,” but I believe it’s necessary. We need more communicative photographers that are finding and promoting what is really happening in our world.
I believe that this is my place in the photographic world.
I do have clients and friends I've made from the last year that I have promised work and service to for the coming year, and will follow through on my word to them. I will also happily shoot for any of the clients and friends I’ve shot for in the past as a personal favor to them. I value the relationships I have with all the people I’ve been able to serve and will continue to stay in touch with them and cultivate those relationships.
I can't emphasize the undeserved privilege it has been to serve such wonderful people these last three years, all of whom have amazingly kind and patient with me as I’ve worked on developing myself and plugged through some busy and stressful times. They've allowed me to be a part of their lives, shared in their intimate moments, and given me the chance to tell their story. My hope is that I’ve been able to enrich their lives with what I do.
So this is the new direction. I believe that I’m making the right decision in this change and refocus as I continue to pursue the path that I’m called to in life. Thank you all again for your support of me these last few years! I couldn’t have made it this far without you all behind me giving me the and encouragement and affirmation in everything I do. YOU guys are the real reason all this has been possible! Love you guys!
Paul
Summer Clouds
Clouds from the summer…
Clouds have always been a joy for me to capture. I love their formlessness, their role in the cycle of nature, and the dimension they add to the vastness of the sky. It's been a booming hot summer here in Greenville, and with it come the summer storms. Despite the unbearable heat, the skies has been an incredible canvas all summer long, warranting my attention every time I go out my door. It's something, though...that such large, beautiful forms are things we can't even really touch. I've always viewed truly beautiful things as fleeting and overlooked. You have to appreciate them while they're there. Otherwise, you miss them.
"Summer Clouds I"
"Little Pig"
"The Ship"
"Pinnacle"
"Summer Clouds II"
Copyright © Aerial Jay Photography 2016
The #PeopleFocus Project: Entry No. 2
The ongoing pursuit of personal work continues with another #PeopleFocus Project entry! I've been so busy with client work lately that I haven't had much time to work on and release projects from my travels or from what I capture in my hometown. I'm learning the balance of working on and creating personal work amidst the ongoing grind, as well as making sure that the work you do make for other people is work you love, believe in, and are passionate about. You have to love what you do.
The ongoing pursuit of personal work continues with another #PeopleFocus Project entry! I've been so busy with client work lately that I haven't had much time to work on and release projects from my travels or from what I capture in my hometown. I'm learning the balance of working on and creating personal work amidst the ongoing grind, as well as making sure that the work you do make for other people is work you love, believe in, and are passionate about. You have to love what you do.
In last few months I've refocused on the people and relationships my life. I've met new people and built new relationships, reestablished old friendships, repaired broken ones, and am making an effort to maintain all of it. Spending time with friends and family and remembering what's it's like to just enjoy a person and spending time with people you highly value and who value you, it reminds you that you have to look outward more.
In the last year, I've gotten to know a lot of different kinds of people - broken people, accomplished people, quirky people, spiritual strong and established people - and in light of everything happening in our country, I'm placing higher priority on spending time with, getting to know, and helping the people in my life. There's much to be learned and understood from the human beings we see day to day. I want to take more time enjoying those people and celebrating who they are. Because we never know; tomorrow that person might not be there.
"Seamless Style"
I really loved this girl's style, so naturally I asked her for a photo. She was with her family at the time, and when I asked for her photo, one of her siblings said, "Dang...what is it with people asking for your photo today?" Honestly, I don't blame them! When you see someone with awesome style, you can't pass that up! I told her she could even have her dog in the photo. It took a few shots to get him to face the right direction. "Yeah, it's kinda hard to get him to cooperate."
"The Soldier"
I saw this guy with his dog sitting in front of a door in downtown Charleston. He was a disabled war veteran trying to raise money for his family to get out of a hole. They had just moved, he couldn't work and had just had a daughter. After I got his photo I just sat and talked with him for a while. He told me about his tours while he served and about all the places he's been able to see, live in, and all the different types of people he's interacted with. But the thing that got me in my conversation with him was his observation of humanity: about how messed up it was to see so many people not helping one another, so self-focused that they treat the people around them like crap. "As if the world isn't enough of a s*** hole..." he said.
"The Juggler"
I saw this guy juggling as he was walking down the sidewalk in downtown Charleston. He was on his way to perform in a different part of the city. We tried to get a solid shot of one of the pins in midair. I feel like we nailed it!
"Springtime Street Duo"
These kids were playing on the streets of downtown Columbia. They were trying to raise money to go to camp for the summer. They were both pretty shy, so I asked if they could play something for me to help them relax a little bit. I'm not sure if it worked....
"Dedication to the Craft"
The first things I noticed about this woman were her glasses and her earrings. I thought, "You HAVE to be a interesting person to be able to pull those off." When I asked her for her photo, she herself was taking photos of jewelry that she sells. She said, "I'm out here every day, under this tree, at the same time taking pictures of my jewelry. It's the only time and spot where the light is perfect."
"Salt and Red Pepper"
I just really loved this guy's pepper apron! That's probably the main reason I asked for this shot (haha)! He was on break from his booth, where he and his wife were selling salsa (if I remember correctly).
"Quiet Jubilance"
I saw this guy playing in downtown Charlotte. He was playing with a drum machine. In the way he played you could tell that music was personal to him and that it brought him a special kind of peace. That focus was present when he played, but as I got to talking to him a little bit, he revealed a fun goofiness about him! I noticed there was a wasp on his collar and I shooed it away. He asked, "What was that?" "It was a wasp," I said. "I didn't want it to sting you." "Really?! There was a wasp?! Just sittin' there? What was it doing there?" "I don't know, man. It's that time of year, though." "Man...well thank you!"
Caleb Whitley's Senior Shoot
It was a great pleasure to work with and serve Caleb Whitley for his senior photo shoot! The shoot itself took a different direction than what we had originally planned (we were planning to shoot on a stage). But changing it up to shoot in the beauty of the woods more accurately captures his quiet, spiritual strength that drives the kindness and genuineness of his personality.
It was a great pleasure to work with and serve Caleb Whitley for his senior photo shoot! The shoot itself took a different direction than what we had originally planned (we were planning to shoot on a stage). But changing it up to shoot in the beauty of the woods more accurately captures his quiet, spiritual strength that drives the kindness and genuineness of his personality.
I've known Caleb since he was a sophomore in high school and have been able to watch him grow in strength and grace as he sought direction and strength from God to overcome obstacles. Even when I knew him then, I could tell he fought against the superficiality that floods his generation. He didn't want to waste his time or emotion, but meaningfully live in ways that could help other people.
Caleb has always been a young man with a lot of heart. He understands that life is a process and a journey, and that it is a battle looking for peace in a world of chaos. Being an aspiring musician and worship leader, he pours that same soul and emotion into how he writes and plays his music, as well as in the relationships he chooses to build. He wanted me to capture that side of himself - the emotional, the purposefully creative, and the faith-driven - and I think that comes out.
I'm excited to see where he goes after graduation. Couldn't be more proud of him! I know his future has a lot in store!
"Compelled by Sacrifice"
"Waiting for Inspiration"
"The Builder and Worker"
Copyright © Aerial Jay Photography 2016
Ryan Bartel's Senior Shoot
I'm extremely proud of Ryan Bartel. I've known him since his sophomore year of high school and he's always exemplified solidity, a big heart for people, and an extremely positive attitude. He takes the initiative to talk to others and rally people together with a spirit that refuses to break. I'm excited to see what he does as he graduates and jumps out into the college world!
I'm extremely proud of Ryan Bartel. I've known him since his sophomore year of high school and he's always exemplified solidity, a big heart for people, and an extremely positive attitude. He takes the initiative to talk to others and rally people together with a spirit that refuses to break. I'm excited to see what he does as he graduates and jumps out into the college world!
"Old Soul"
"Thought Bubble"
When Ryan asked me to do his senior photos, he told me that he really wanted to get some shots that broke from the norm and that reflected his personality. For him, those things were "country and CrossFit." So we looked for locations that looked and felt different, broke out the stars and stripes, and brought on the squat cleans and tire lifts!
Ryan ran cross country his first two years of high school. Any person on his team could tell you that he was the one that never gave up and continually pushed and encouraged his teammates. He convinced me to try CrossFit with him, and on his first day (while I was huffing and puffing at the halfway mark) he did the entire workout and then some! Hardworking and unrelenting, this kid will always have 'beast' status in my book!
"Like a True Patriot"
"Mental Readiness"
"For Country and CrossFit"
Copyright © Aerial Jay Photography 2016
Wells Blog
Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Maecenas faucibus mollis interdum. Nulla vitae elit libero, a pharetra augue.