We were lucky to catch up with Donnie Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donnie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am primarily self taught. I started with an entry-level camera (Nikon D5600) and began researching every YouTube video I could find on photography. I purchased every manual that was recommended and attended as many local meetups that were available. Many of these meetups granted me the opportunity to collaborate with very talented photographers, who were willing to lend their skills, while others were a group of eager beginners who wanted to practice and share knowledge. I became a usual at events hosted by groups such as Texas Shooters Photography and Fun-night Photography of Houston. The hosts provided creative opportunities to shoot, learn, or just talk shop.

I suppose the only thing I could have done to speed up the process is merely to have started sooner, as I have alway had a camera as a cure for boredom, but it wasn’t until 2012, that I really started focusing on how to properly expose an image. Becoming a parent was the catalyst for my newfound desire to produce great photos! If I am being honest, perhaps there really is no “speeding up the process”. I say that because when I bought my Nikon, I told myself that I was going to learn and master this in a year and become the coolest, most annoying camera dad ever. Fast forward 10 years and I am still a student of the art. Which leads me to the next question…

What skills do I believe were most essential? Patience. I know that is not exactly a skill, but it is one of the most essential attributes. It is required in every aspect of photography. It is essential when learning how to expose an image, how to light an image, and how to compose an image. It’s needed when communicating with your subject or client, compiling notes and concepts and bringing an idea to life. And then there’s the patience needed while editing. Once you learn the basics and you find yourself or footing as an artist, the rest is creative collaboration and expression.

The most salient obstacle that got in the way of learning more was work! I worked for an oil and gas company and I started focusing on photography during one of the company’s peak financial years, thus overtime was abundant and time was limited. Luckily, I was able to leverage technology to facilitate my learning and in numerous ways that have proven beneficial and effective.

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

For those who may not know me. I am Donnie. My passion for photography was reignited when I dropped and broke my cell phone after recently having a son and just as he was beginning to crawl and all of those moments were gone.

Today, I am a portrait, family, and lifestyle photographer here in the Houston/Spring area. My company is Lynn’s Expressions. I started my business taking graduation portraits as a way to supplement my income. This later transitioned into capturing, small weddings, creative portraits and personal milestone moments. I shoot in studio and on location using natural light or strobes.

The thing that helps me stand out is the experience when standing in front of my lens. The market is saturated with photographers, so I do my best to create an experience that makes my clients comfortable, confident and happy they chose to entrust me with their special event.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Completely aside from fulfilling the needs of the client, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is knowing that this is the one area that I don’t have to compromise. I don’t have to worry about deadlines or managing time. The only thing that is important is the craft. This is where I allow myself to live in a space where there is nothing more important than the process and how I feel about the finished product.

I’ll tell anyone who has a small business that being a business owner is a full-time job and you are going to put in a ton of man hours into it, so my best advice is to make time for personal projects. Those are the moments that remind you of the reason you began. Paint small sections of the big picture and watch yourself evolve.

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

Books:

The Four Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Sean Covey

Videos:
The Art of Photography YouTube channel by Ted Forbes

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lynnsxpressions.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/l.e.phant.n.the.rm