We were lucky to catch up with Jon Pearce recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jon, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
One of the biggest challenges to profitability in with any creative work is the undervaluing of creative work. Many clients expect high-quality content at low rates, not realizing the costs of gear, the amount of time that editing can take, and expertise. I have, on a couple of occasions, taken on a project where the budget ended up barely covering my expenses, yet the client expected extensive work. Additionally, inconsistent workflow makes steady income difficult. Balancing fair pricing with client expectations is a constant challenge.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Most people would call me a photographer and videographer, but I consider myself a visual storyteller. While capturing interesting visuals and those “fleeting moments” are important, and even fun, in their own right, every person, event, and brand has a unique narrative, and I use my camera to bring those stories to life. Whether it’s the energy of an event, a persons personality in a portrait, or the essence of a brand, my goal is always to create visuals that truly resonate. I believe the best photos and videos are the ones that transport you back to a moment in time—the ones that make you feel something. I offer photo and video services for events, branding, and social media content, as well as portrait sessions including headshots, families, and seniors.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I’ve always enjoyed taking photos just to capture memories and even more so after I had kids. But I first picked up a professional camera and took shooting and editing seriously nearly 8 years ago simply to have photos of my kids worthy of hanging on the wall. It turned into a hobby as I started shooting family portrait sessions and senior portraits.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Word of mouth is by far the most effective form of marketing. Yes, having a portfolio for potential clients to see is important, but they are far more likely to even look at a portfolio if someone they know recommends you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonpearcephotography.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonpearcephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087942806049
Image Credits
Jon Pearce Photography
J. S. Raines Photo