We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jared Gilmore a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jared, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. So, we’d appreciate if you could open up about your growth story and the nitty, gritty details that went into scaling up.

In the world of photography, it is challenging for any creative to make a comfortable living, especially photography. It is imperative that we look at circumstances from a wholistic perspective that are beyond the control of a creative such as myself. I began my journey in photography while concluding my college career at Alcorn State University. It was there where I started to take the craft serious as I was taking photographs of the various clubs & organizations for the University yearbook. By the time I graduated in 2000, I had taken several fraternity brothers’ wedding photos along with many who had graduated including the campus Queens and fellow Student Government Association leaders. It didn’t hurt to also have my Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter Advisor and long-time University Photographer, Al Johnson at my fingertips. Within the next couple years, I had to come to a crossroads with having invested so much money in equipment and had given away my services to Family & Friends. Also, this is around the time where social media had taken off, which was great avenue to market to potential customers willing to pay! By 2004, I had gotten married to RaQayya Gilmore and we were expecting my first daughter, Khyla Gilmore. That impacted us in a significant way! Here we are two young adults who must generate a living wage where I was in my doctoral program while RaQayya was just starting her teaching career. Born out of necessity, I drastically scaled up my photography business while still in my program of study. Upon completion in 2006, I was not generating enough money to support the family. I then took a position teaching Biology/Anatomy at a local Community College. Within a semester, I was hired on for a full-time professor role. I held that position for 12 years. It was there where I took on the role of Author and also where I started to lean on my camera skillset. Many of the images needed for my lab manuals didn’t have the vital photographs to accompany the written content. Hence, my career in photography taking another turn. By 2010, I had amassed over $50,000 and with that amount of money invested; I felt compelled to open a studio. The next few years was so harsh truths. Many I thought would support my business, didn’t! I had to learn how and what to invest in to build the business and secure bookings. Lack of time and resources impacted many of the business decisions. In 2020, one of the most challenges impacted the world, Covid-19. It was during this epidemic that much of the hardwork which had yielded new school contracts for Senior Portraits, etc. was cancelled! Large-scaled weddings and events cancelled! In that particular life-altering experience, I faced my most challenging obstacle of my photography career. Comcast Business and Houston Forward Times both became my saving grace! One provided necessary funding and the other provided important and much needed work! If it had not been for these two business, I would have lost my business, possibly forever!

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

I first got into photography just as a hobby then as a need for the University’s yearbook. It then transitioned into photographing weddings and events. Upon graduation, I focused efforts on creating something unique. This was largely due to cell phones having cameras, hence everyone feeling no need to hire a professional photographer. As I started shooting more models, I wanted to create something that showed multiple aspects of their personality. Alter Ego Photography was first introduced by Derek Blanks. I took an even more deep dive into the creativity of this artform. My clients would come to me for this artistic expression for it shows various sides. Graduating Seniors especially seek out my services for we capture their organizations or extracurricular activities in one final image. It becomes a powerful masterpiece! I enjoy seeing their reaction to the finished product when they come to pick up their HD canvas. J Raphael’s Photography, LLC has become a one-stop shop for the everyday photography client emphasizing quality and uniqueness.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am driven to be the creative professional photographer many graduating seniors who seek out my services and I become their preferred photographer for life! Many times, you find photographers who find their niche and only perform in that creative space. I like being extremely good in a variety of photography forms. I enjoy not doing the same style, rather having to be creative in bridal one day then having to create for newborns the next…only to have a large-scale event that evening.

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

I had to unlearn family and friends aren’t always going to be your biggest supporters! This fact was learned the hard way. As I began to take the profession serious, I was shooting several friends’ weddings but once I stopped doing it “free”, the requests drastically slowed. I mention this to many of the younger artists in the profession when we do meet-ups. Moreover, this is a valuable lesson learned. This beauty of today’s market is you have social media marketing which assist with building a brand in a cold market approach.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jraphael.smugmug.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jraphaelphotos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jraphaelphotos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/j-raphael-s-photography
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jraphaelphotos
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jgilmore78
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/j-raphaels-photography-humble?osq=j+raphael+photography

Image Credits
J Raphael’s Photography LLC