We were lucky to catch up with Jamal-Akil Marshall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jamal-Akil, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you 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?
I give thanks everyday for the ability and opportunity to work full-time in this creative field. When I first moved out to Los Angeles about 2 years ago, I decided to leave my job after 8 months. I was serving at a wonderful restaurant out here in LA named “Bacari.” They cared greatly about all the artist and staff that worked there. They congratulated me on my exit as they felt I could go after pursuing photography and creative direction.
Prior to all of this, I had no way of getting to know people to create with. Coming from Cleveland, Ohio the culture of meeting up for tea, lunch or coffee to discuss projects was foreign to me. I knew in order to get my voice out there I had to reach out to as many people as possible and begin networking. I offered free shoot after free shoot as a way for my work to get out there. Going to events and being outside with my camera letting people in businesses know I was a creator brought me my first clients. This led to me coming into contact with people who needed a photographer for upcoming jobs. I did this for the 8 months I was first living in LA, shifted from working my 9-5 and went into freelance photography.
At first I was concerned as I didn’t know if my work was good enough to even make working full-time realistic. Different months I was barely able to make rent. The stress of “did I make the right choice” was growing loud during these moments. I continued to reach out to artist to create with, practiced as often as I could, still going to photography workshops. Over time I began getting hired and I was shocked that people enjoyed my work. I compared myself heavily to others at the time which brought doubt into my work. It’s been almost 2 years since I started working for myself and I’m happy to say, “I’m blessed!”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I moved out here to Los Angeles at age 32 to pursue photography and creative direction. What got me into the industry was starting off as a second shooter. I found it useful to reach out to artist who were farther into their career than I was in hopes that they’d be somewhat of a mentor. I can’t stress enough how offering free shoots had benefited me in the beginning. In addition, being professional, creating a comfortable space for clients only helps the overall experience.
Some of the main services that I provide are portfolio building. My love resides in fashion and editorial photography. My vision is to help create the looks that those pursuing modeling desire in hopes that what we create can propel their career. Headshots, lifestyle shots along with behind-the-scenes photos and videos are amongst some of the services I provide.
I started off with my camera shooting music videos as an art teacher for the “Winning In America” program created by my father Akil Marshall. Fast forward years later It still remains a passion of mine. Creative direction, planning and shooting music videos for artist is one of the other main services I provide. I work at taking the vision of a client creating the world they’d like to be in from beginning to end.
What I think sets me apart is what sets almost every photographer and videographer apart; the eye. Each artist sees the world different and you can tell when you look at my work. What I find more important than my skillset is my ability to make people feel welcome, heard and appreciated from the first introduction to and through the completion of a project. I work to make people feel seen igniting the fire within them that brings the love for creation in what they do.
I’m most proud of my ability to keep going. Not for the purpose of being successful but for the simple fact that there is an inner will to do and be my best self everyday. That best self just happens to be an artist wanting to bring others stories and visions to life. I’m also proud of the humanity I come into contact with. Despite all the troubles and discrimination of the world, there are a great number of beautiful souls who walk amongst us who genuinely want to see you win. I appreciate those people and the reminders of hope they bring.
Overall, Jamal-Akil Marshall’s mission is to tell people’s stories while helping to advance them further in their lives. Whether it be through photography or video expression the goal is to make others personal and business ideas transcend their expectations.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As artist and as human beings in general, we experience burnout. Life happens no matter what your social status is or how far into your career you happen to be. Doubt, stress, anxiety, family and relationship issues can take shape, taking a toll on the body and mind. All those things on top of building your own business is a heavy weight to pick up and carry everyday. How do you maintain yourself while feeling adequate in your profession? For myself I had to learn to “let go” of all things out of my control. In letting go you realize the amount you actually control in your life is substantial. You have to take care of you.
My resilience to keep going on this path of entrepreneurship is backed by my inner voice telling me what to let go of and what to stay disciplined on. I used to ignore this voice. I felt listening to it would take me so out of my comfort zone that the enjoyment of what I was experiencing before would cease to exist. Once you realize that your happiness and peace is on the other side of your resilience to be better, another world reveals itself to you.
Make the uncomfortable changes you feel deep within yourself. Take a break from the things and people who are no longer bringing forward motion for you. I’m where I am today because I kept going down the path of self betterment and fine tuning. Along that path I came into contact with incredible people who wouldn’t have appeared had I remained faithful to that which was holding me back.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson that I found myself unlearning is the teachings that things have to be done by the book. There is an idea that in order to move up the rankings as an artist you have to play by a book that is honestly outdated. This goes for all aspects of wanting to build your own business. I have witnessed other entrepreneurs who took life by the horns and steered the bull in a direction they may not have been sure would work and ended up creating a whole new path for themselves, propelling their business further. Take the path less traveled even if it may be scary or intimidating. If deep down you feel capable of taking a chance on what you believe, It can serve to be worth taking the steps to prove gut feelings right.
At the end of the day there is a milestone and goal to reach. As long as you get there, you can play by the book or you can learn that you create your own destiny. There’s nothing wrong with either option. Just be sure to research and test your plan of action several times over before. But know, no situation can ever be perfect. Strike when the iron is hot and when it’s not, fill it with water, plug it in and get the ironing. There is a level of risk and reward that I find satisfying when betting on myself. This has helped me play by my own self written book.
Contact Info:
- Website: jmlak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmlakl/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmlaklphoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamal-akil-marshall-075474236/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user167716703
Image Credits
Cover photo shot by: Kasey Gerst