We recently connected with Jacob Power and have shared our conversation below.

Jacob, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

For me, business ownership is the only path. It has completely changed my view of time, freedom, finances and yes, happiness. The typical path for most people is to trade forty hours a week for a living wage. Having been in those shoes and now creating my own schedule and timeline of life, I have empathy for those still trapped in a 9-5 type job. If I’m headed somewhere in the mornings, I often envision everyone else’s routine of driving to a building, staying inside for 8 hours, then rushing home for an hour or two of free time, before doing it all again the next day. Life is short, you hear it all the time. However, most people will trade their life away for a paycheck. Owning a business is not easy, but the time I put into it being creative and adventurous with my images, being the communications director, the marketing manager, the accountant and sales rep is absolutely worth it. Living in the present moment is important because there’s lots to do and focusing on the here and now is what it takes to get it all done and move forward constructively. Inevitably, earning a good wage is important for quality of life in today’s society. The fact that it’s all on me to make that happen forces me to make decisions that are advantageous to success, which at the end of the day, I measure with happiness.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Photography is in my blood. My grandfather (George Parish) was a travel photographer who was well known in Texas. The name Parish and photography go hand in hand around here. From a very young age I can remember him taking photos of just about everything and always having a camera in hand. His son Wilson (my uncle) was in the Navy and studying photography at Rochester Institute of Technology when he was chosen by the CIA and FBI in the fall of 1969 to develop the film that came back from the first trip to the moon. I’ve always found it fascinating that his eyes were the first to see images that came back from the first lunar mission.

Searching and seeing the art in the world has always enthralled me. Seeing a potential image as art keeps my eyes constantly seeking beauty, scene context or juxtaposition. I feel as though people don’t know what art they enjoy until they see it, and then it’s as if that image has always been missing, like they had been waiting to see it all along. To create and enjoy art is part of the human experience.

At the end of the day, I consider myself an artist. Traveling the world and taking artistic photos is my goal. One day I’ll have a gallery and will sell my pieces as fine art. As of now, I’m busy in the event photography world here in Houston, where the society and culture scene thrives. Philanthropy is the reason there’s over 20,000 non-profit organizations being generously donated to by Houstonians. With so much going on, I’ve always considered Houston to be the “New York of the South.”

My degree is in Hospitality Administration and right out of school I emerged myself into the high-end, ultra-luxury hotel and resort world. It’s there where I developed my customer service skills and learned the art of delivering an epicurean experience to affluent travelers. That insight and experience allowed me to transition into philanthropic events as a photographer delivering that same high-end experience for my clients. Creating value is my number one goal for each and every event. Ultimately, it’s my photographs that will be seen and shared on behalf of an organization that deliver the story behind a cause. Therefore, helping organizations catch the attention of those individuals whom may never have thought to open their hearts and wallets for a fundraising campaign.

I’m a firm believer that consistency and gratitude open the doors of opportunity. Constantly delivering quality images and genuine customer care with a friendly attitude develops the trust that I seek to ensure forever-clients. Gratefully involved with each special event, while leaving the ego behind is imperative as a freelance event photographer.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Here in the society world of Houston, everybody knows everybody. Word of mouth has no doubt been my strategy for growing my clientele. Once trust is established with a client, why would they recommend or refer anyone else. It’s had a snowball effect on my business over the years. I’ve also watched and learned what to do, and what not to do from other photographers, inevitably delivering what the client wants and needs that they don’t get from the other colleagues. It’s a personal motto of mine to keep my friends close, but my competitors closer. Always watching and learning how they deliver their service and compose themselves as an extension of the organization, then finding ways to outperform, or deliver more value, is how I’ve tailored my approach to setting myself apart.

Have you ever had to pivot?

While working as a manager in the resort industry, I realized that it wasn’t a career that I wanted to put anymore of life’s energy towards. The tough decision was made to jump ship and pursue my photography journey. I knew it was a start-from-scratch moment and that giving up a high salary job might not be smart, but when I’m 90 I’ll want to look back and be proud of the decisions I made to reach my full potential and utilize my talent and skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.JacobPowerPhoto.com
• Instagram: Jacob Power Photography
• Youtube: jacobpower6531

Image Credits

Jacob Power