Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James Whitfield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, James thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client was a friend from my neighborhood. I charged $75.00 to film a music video, lol. I had the worst camera ever! This was in 2012. I owned a point-and-shoot Fuji film camera. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t know anything about cameras. There was a lot of learning in my spare time. Eventually, I started to understand cameras, but now I had to learn how to edit. Before I quit my job to become a full-time videographer, I used to wake up for hours earlier to insert a video program to learn how to switch between scenes in a music video. I did this for three months! Eventually, I learned and got pretty good at it!

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.

As a videographer and photographer, my passion for visual storytelling began at a young age. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how images and videos could capture moments and emotions, and I was constantly exploring ways to create my own. After studying film and photography in college, I began my career as a freelance videographer and photographer, working on various projects, from weddings and events to corporate videos and documentaries.
Whether shooting a wedding or a commercial, I always aim to create stunning visuals that tell a powerful story. Today, I continue to pursue my love of visual storytelling, working with clients to make videos and photos that capture their most important moments and leave a lasting impression. I am proud of the fact that I stuck to this journey because it is challenging at times! There are a lot of ups and downs. One month, you will make a decent amount of money; the next, you might make little at all. You have to find ways to keep yourself motivated. Whenever I slump, I watch some of my favorite films for inspiration. Overall, this is my favorite thing to do in life, and it’s worth the heartache, especially when you get paid to do what you love!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that you can only do some things with others. I am one of the people who work solo, but I am at a point in my career where I feel like I am at a standstill. I’ve connected with other filmmakers in my area because I want to be around other creative people.

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

I am pivoting at this moment! I am getting more into writing, and creating an ebook about photography was one of my highlights of this year. I plan on learning multiple roles in media!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jpfilmsllc.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jpfilms216
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpfilmsllc
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/jpfilms216

Image Credits

James P. Whitfield