We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jake Callahan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jake , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have had the privilege many times now, to use my drone and my camera to capture photos and video of family farms. It’s very meaningful to be able to show them their property in a brand new way and really capture the essence of the place. There was a particular time last summer when I was able to do it for a family selling their farm.
Their father had just died recently, and his wife decided to sell. So their children, now adults, were saying goodbye to the place where they grew up. I was able to take aerial photos/video as well as ground photos of the barn, outbuildings and house. Then, I collected the best photos and made a photo book for them as well as a flyover video. I have heard since that the family truly appreciated it and now they have something to take with them to show future generations. Projects like this transcend just doing a job, instead I get to be a part of their history by documenting a deeply meaningful place for them.
I always try to use my eye to capture the qualities that make a property special. There is no better feeling in the world for me, as a photographer, than being able to do that for a client.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a drone/landscape photographer based out of central Minnesota. I got into landscape photography in 2014 exploring this great state with my camera and capturing the beauty around me. This led to selling prints of my work and showing my photos in art shows for which I won several awards, recognition and artist grants.
In 2021, I purchased my first drone and obtained my Part 107 certification from the FAA. It has allowed me to use my drone to capture photos in a brand new way, what I like to call God’s view of the world. I have since used the drone to take photos/video of properties, farms, social media videos for businesses and cities.
For businesses and cities in particular, I am able to use my drone to make social media content for them to share the great work they do and get the word out there.
For cities, I can showcase their downtown, parks and amenities in a brand new light to attract new residents and customers to their local businesses.
I also sell fine art prints of my landscape photography work as well. I am humbled to say that my photos are displayed in homes and businesses across Minnesota and throughout the country.
I think what sets me apart is my passion for the work and my eye for capturing the essence that makes that particular farm, business, city or property unique.
I am most proud of the way I can help others with my photography, whether with a simple aerial photo of a property to make their day, or with a drone video for a business to show others what they do. I am able to better clients’ lives in my own way so that is very fulfilling. Also, there is nothing more humbling than when someone buys a print and hangs it in their home or business. It’s truly an honor to have my work be something they look at everyday.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have a busy life as a husband and a father so when it came time to study for my Part 107 exam I had to find time where I could. I studied an online course with Altitude University every morning 5 days a week for 45 minutes, for three months before I took the test. It was a high pressure exam, you’re on camera, no cell phones allowed, and if you fail you would need to pay the $175 testing fee again but I passed on my first try. People often say they can’t pursue their dreams because they don’t have enough time but the truth is you can find time, it just might take longer than you’d like to get there. Don’t give up, keeping your promises to yourself builds confidence and earned resilience that lasts.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The two books that have had the most impact on me are “From Paycheck to Purpose” by Ken Coleman and “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. They really helped me understand my creative journey and figure out how to apply it to my purpose. I am currently reading “The Family First Entrepreneur” by Steve Chou and I am really enjoying it. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jcallahanphotography.smugmug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_callahan_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmcallahanphotography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8pYS11T34C9LJzpvWOiNug
Image Credits
These are my photos. Credit to J. Callahan Photography