Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joseph Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joseph, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Do I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a “regular job?” No. I’ve worked in food service, hospitality, customer service, and plenty of other “regular jobs” and I was miserable at every one of them. As a creative I get to take photos and create a story everyday. When I was working a “regular job,” everyday blurred together. When it hit me that it had been 5 years and I didn’t have anything to show for that time. I was exhausted, depressed, and miserable. So now I work more and work harder for my business than I ever did working a “regular job;” and I’m happy and excited to work every single day. I realized Life is too short to wake up every day and not enjoy what you’re doing. The worst thing to do is to look back and wonder, “if only.”

Joseph, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Joseph Davis, I’m a photographer and videographer and I specialize in portraits, wedding/engagements, and travel content. There are more pictures being taken today than ever before, but there aren’t any prints, no slides. They live on our computers, phones, or online and are only looked at for a few seconds. Time is so precious and so fleeting. Don’t let precious memories slip away because they weren’t captured. A majority of us spend most of our time with a screen in front of our faces, either at work or at home; I strive to get out in nature and explore as much as I can; to find the last of the quiet places before they disappear completely. I hope that one day my work will make others want to get out and see the world and explore to find the last of the quiet places, because like I said before life is too short to wake up every day and not enjoy what you’re doing. The worst thing to do is to look back and wonder, “if only.”

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There is an organization for photographers, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and they have so many different resources I can’t even begin to name them all. They’ve got contracts, and price guides, insurance, classes, workshops, competitions and so much more. They have networking events based on the state you live in, there’s a big event that happens every year ImagingUSA and there are classes and an expo where you can see the newest gear for the year and even get a discount on it.
I made so many connections at ImagingUSA in 2024 and learned so many new techniques that I’ve been playing with ever since I attended. If you’re a photographer or videographer, I cannot recommend PPA enough.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon is a book I recommend to every creative friend I have. It’s full of ideas to keep you creating.
The B&H Photography Podcast is something I listen too all of the time. Each episode has a photographer who has done amazing things and their stories are both inspiring and motivating. There are also plenty of guests who talk about how they manage a work/life balance with how busy they are. There was one episode where the hosts and guest were talking about how they manage traveling for photography and having a family. The guest basically said (I’m paraphrasing here), if they are what you can’t live without, you make it work. He loves his wife and his kids, and he loves his work; so they keep communication open and clear and they work it out.
I think that’s what I took most from that episode, if you love something enough, you make it work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JosephDavisStudios.com
• Instagram: @josephdavisstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Officialjosephdavisstudios/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joedavisstudios

Image Credits

I do have permission for all of the photos