We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jamal Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jamal below.

Jamal, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

The biggest challenge I’ve had when it comes to making profit is being low balled in a smaller city. So many creators in my city charge low so when prices are higher than normal, it’s easy for customers to say “Well I can go to someone a lot cheaper.” This in turn makes it a struggle to make any real income to live off of doing what creators love.

Jamal, 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?

So I got into creating once I graduated high school being gifted a camera from my step dad. I’ve gone from music videos to weddings to any other creative thing you can think of just so I could find what it is I truly enjoyed. I realized that I enjoy creating fashion / lifestyle content and working with different brands.

I’m proud that I can create in my own style and still have brands that are interested in working with me.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I really wish that I knew about grants earlier in my creative journey. I still have more that I’m learning about them as I continue in my journey.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve recently pivoted from working for clients to do more of the things that I enjoy which center more around building a personal brand. Money isn’t everything and client working isn’t always what it’s cut out to be. At the end of the day my advice to any creative is to do what truly makes you happy regardless of any monetary value.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thejamalmartin
• Youtube: jamalthephotographer

Image Credits
Jamal