Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jakob Wandel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jakob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I’ve been working and living as a freelance photographer and director for about 4 years now and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. After separating from service with the United States Navy, I pursued a career in music but that soon shifted when I picked up a camera. After graduating Belmont University in Nashville, I jumped right into a freelance career. Timing was on my side – about a month after I graduated I was asked to go on tour with the band Yoke Lore. From that point, I was able to continue getting work and grow my network and client base. The two biggest steps for me were definitely my time in the Navy and the Yoke Lore tour. The Navy equipped me with a concrete work ethic, an understanding for leading teams, and that I could achieve pretty much anything I set my mind to. The Yoke Lore tour reminded me of that as well.
I don’t think I could have sped up the process, I truly believe everything happened when and how it was supposed to.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Jakob Wandel and I am a commercial photographer and director based in Nashville, TN. I got into my business/craft after spending 4 years in the Navy as a diesel mechanic.
I’ve worked on a myriad of projects with a wide range of clients. I’ve directed and produced music videos, video projects for fortune 500 companies, I’ve photographed Indy Car races, cross-country tours with musicians, countless product lifestyle photoshoots, and anything in between.
Key clients include: Carvana, A24, Grub Hub, Jake Wesley Rogers, Thor Industries, Visit Idaho, Experian, JW Marriott, Kashi, Proper Twelve Whiskey.
Truthfully, I am most proud of the wide variety of work I’ve done and continue to do. There’s this message that’s put out to creatives on a daily basis that we need to pick a niche and stick to it. I’ve done almost the exact opposite of that and make 6 figures doing it. I am really passionate about my work and growing my business and just doing 1 thing for the rest of my life doesn’t interest me and there is room for others to be successful with the same approach.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
First and foremost, I really try to become friends with the people I work with. I really love getting to know my clients and building a bond with them outside of a transaction. It makes the entire process more enjoyable and in the long term makes everyone’s jobs easier.
There’s really no crazy strategy to this, just treat your clients as people (vs corporations) and how you’d want/expect to be treated and a lot of great things will happen for you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The biggest thing I’ve had to let go on this journey is the mindset of “I have to do this all myself”. For so long I wanted to be in charge of everything, have my hands in every project, play every role on set. I’ve finally, for the most part, let go of this.
Adding people to my team and having a solid crew on set has been life changing. The quality of my work has skyrocketed, revenue is growing at an amazing pace, I am learning other skills, and the list goes on.
Additionally, I have a separate business organically forming and growing outside of my personal photography/directing career and it feels great.
Contact Info:
- Website: jakobwandel.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jakobwandel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakobwandel/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakobwandel?fromUrl=%2Fjakobwandel&lang=en