We recently connected with Jesse Vargas and have shared our conversation below.
Jesse, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
First I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to reach out to me for this piece! Earning a full-time living from my creative work is something that’s taken years to reach. And unfortunately, it doesn’t take as long to lose.
The first music video that I ever directed, shot, and edited, “Fire” by Fireman Band$ & Young $yrup, was booked for $50 in 2018 and it has about 100k views on Worldstar. And that was AFTER a nationwide tour. It takes a long time to monetize some of our creative work, especially without having the experience we need to supplement the talent we have. Now 5 years later, life looks a lot different. I’m doing less physical labor for a lot more compensation! That just comes with experience, knowledge, and approaching situations differently. It’s nothing against any of the past clients I’ve had, it’s the journey I chose.
Everytime I handle a significant or memorable project, the price goes up – it’s as simple as that. Doing “free work” also looks different from doing work with potential. Some of the favors I’ve given in business have definitely led to much bigger opportunities. Those favors don’t have to look like showing up to work for free all the time and hoping it could lead to something – it could look like a production partner asking for editing help for a lower budget or a friend needing a PA when you’re used to managing bigger projects. Just approach things genuinely, without ill intention.
There’s 2 sides of the coin when it comes to earning a full-time living from a foundationally creative field. You do need to learn to visualize the potential of a project in order to decide if something is worth doing or not. You also definitely need to be aware of the state of the economy as well – because other businesses do the exact same thing. This might not necessarily be a current example, but if I’m seeing gas prices shoot from $3 to $8/gallon, I’m more than likely going to start structuring my pricing a bit differently under travel. We can apply that example to anything.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, in terms of what business was like when I first started. And I’m also excited about what I have in front of me. Not only have I been able to earn a full-time living, but I’m also able to support other endeavors I want to pursue.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I mean I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’ve been taking photos since I was a kid and just kept molding until I fine tuned my craft into a business. I still shoot photos today, but I mainly direct, produce, edit, design clothing, and everything in between. It’s been a journey, and it’s interesting because each tool I’ve learned was learned due to necessity. I started taking photos because my father told me to when I was young, and we needed photos at family events. I started shooting video because it was requested on tour and I started editing because I couldn’t afford to pay people to edit my footage! I started directing and producing because I knew I needed to brand my business differently if I wanted to make money. And I started designing clothes because a friend of mine hooked me up with a quick job to get me started in LA and he was in the clothing business.
So it’s interesting how things start Vs. how they end up. Everything that I’ve had to learn, I love using in my daily life. I can handle anything from promo shoots, music videos, long-form and short-form video content, television, social media management, creative direction, and I have fun doing it. I love creating and collaborating, so what makes me stand out to people is when they interact with someone who is genuinely passionate and cares about the work.
I do have something new in the process – It’s my proudest work to date and I definitely want people to be aware. Creative Immortal coming soon.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I’d say there are a few goals driving my creative journey. Continuing Black success in media, being able to build and uplift other ethnic creators through my production company Final Focus Films, and now – creating something tangible that I can leave behind with Creative Immortal.
In regard to my creative journey, being able to create things that people can visually consume and be entertained by has been an amazing feeling and something I want to continue growing in. I feel like there’s another level of creativity to that, and that’s something physical. That’s where I’m headed with Creative Immortal. A physical culmination of where I’ve been since I started – and where I want to go.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Having to pivot… This one’s important and special to me because it’s something that I’ve done in my life personally, but also in relation to business time and time again. I’ve mentioned some things above that I’ve had to do in business, but something I’ve never spoken about publically is when I went to rehab.
Going to rehab in 2022 was life-changing. It changed my perspective on everything, from family to friends to my career. It taught me patience and how to honestly look at things not as seriously. That was important for me. Addicts are sensitive people – they tend to be perfectionists and self-deprecating people. That means something as small as opinions mean more to us than the average person, which in turn, means that if you work in a creative field, dealing with opinions of your work or criticisms may feel a bit harsher than intended.
Understanding yourself is important in this game. It’s okay to be ambitious, without putting as much pressure on yourself. Most people don’t realize it, but their biggest stress factors tend to be themselves and the way they deal with situations, rather than the situations themselves.
Ever since I got out and stayed sober, I’ve been overcoming challenges and handling situations I never would’ve thought possible this easily. Pivoting is not only important, but it’s necessary – so stay focused on yourself internally as much as you are in business, and sometimes the signs might appear sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vargasvisualsmedia.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vargas.visuals
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-vargas7/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thejessevargas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLII7_5mpR2FKM0QT8IuF5A2DbABivo64H
- Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13725902/ Director’s Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB0Cdu9U2PA
Image Credits
Claude J. Easy