We were lucky to catch up with Jake Sposetta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jake, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?

Honestly, everything I have done in photography started with me not being afraid to reach out to people. I photographed my first concert when I was 14 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC and said it was for my school’s newspaper. Once I got past that first hurdle of asking for a pass (and subsequently learning how to take being told ‘no’ gracefully), I was more comfortable reaching out and asking for media passes.

I started shooting ringside photography for professional wrestling right after I graduated high school in 2007, and I took quite possibly the worst photos imaginable. But, instead of getting too discouraged, I enrolled in photography classes in college and invested a lot of time in learning how to use my camera to its full potential and put the fundamentals of photography to good use. I started watching wrestling matches in shutter clicks in order to get the timing down of moves, and thinking about it all differently than I used to. It was a whole new world.

I think being humble and hungry, which sounds incredibly cheesy to say and I full realize that, helped me out ultimately. When you want to keep learning new tricks of the trade, you are able to continue growing. Don’t be afraid to try something new and go outside of your comfort zone. I have been able to do some cool stuff just by stepping outside of my normal skillset!

Jake, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Jake of all trades, master of none.

I have been doing professional wrestling photography since 2007. because, after loving professional wrestling for my entire life, I wanted to be a part of the business. I am not tough enough to be an in-ring competitor, and I’m not charismatic enough to be any sort of on-screen character, so I pretended to be a photographer and it worked out for me.

Since September 28, 2007, I have provided photos for World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and a myriad of other professional wrestling promotions of various shapes and sizes. I have captured over 600 wrestlers varying from their first matches to their last, I am so proud to have recorded memories for fans and wrestlers alike, and, although it makes me feel so old, it is humbling to hear wrestlers I photograph now tell me they grew up with my photos as their screensavers.

I really slowed down doing photography years ago, and picked up creating merch for wrestlers, bands, and comedians, as well as crafting realistic cross stitches of my weirdo interests. But, the itch to take pictures really picked up back in 2021, and I have been doing it as much as possible without causing too much stress to my family.

Ultimately, I have an obnoxious yearning to just feel like I am a part of something, so I try to put on whatever hats I can and pick up new skills along the way.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Ultimately, I think I want to create something that outlives me. The type of photo that people put on their will to inspire them. That perfect, iconic shot is still out there – I just haven’t captured it yet.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I have a real life career outside of photography and other creative endeavors in order to fully support my family. It isn’t soul-draining or anything like that, but because being a creative isn’t my main gig, it allows me to appreciate everything I do in that field so much more. Getting home and loading my photos into Lightroom for the culling process is so exciting to me. It almost makes me giddy to do it, because it feels like Christmas morning – even though sometimes I receive coal.

But, the thing I truly enjoy the most about being a photographer, is when I get to take the first promotional photos for professional wrestlers right out of wrestling school. They are so nervous and unsure of themselves that I get to help them with their poses and their confidence. I love taking a shot of a pose, reviewing it with them, and seeing their eyes light up. This is the very first image they will use to promote themselves to make money, and I get to be a part in that first step. I love it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jakesposetta.smugmug.com
• Instagram: @PollyannaDIY
• Twitter: @PollyannaDIY

Image Credits

Profile photo: Ryan Brewer (@xTURNBUCKLEx)