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

Alright, Jas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

As a portrait photographer, you take on a responsibility to help people feel their best and to represent them at their most powerful. So inclusivity has naturally become a pillar of my creative works and business. Growing up as a closeted queer person of color (in the South) wasn’t always the easiest. And I know that if I had seen people like myself represented and empowered in the media, then maybe my younger self would have found their path sooner. So I try to create the art that I wish I had seen and tell stories that are not often represented.

It hasn’t always been easy to put our brand’s mission of anti-racism and inclusivity at the forefront, with all of the mixed opinions and potential to isolate some cliental. However, the rewards of showcasing all kinds of people and love are well worth the effort. Our brand successfully serves a niche that is active in their community, diverse, kind, and incredibly cool. We’re lucky to work with the people that we attract through our diverse marketing efforts and inclusive branding and we’re looking forward to putting out more resources so others can learn and grow with us.

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 picked up a camera in high school to make silly videos for YouTube like any other kid at the boom of internet stardom. I didn’t know what I was doing at all, but I found myself drawn to telling stories about myself, people, and the things that inspired me. A little all over the place, I struggled to figure out how to launch a successful photography business and defaulted to the college route and found myself in a marketing position promoting cleaning products. Not the most riveting career choice. After a long eight months, I decided to leave that job and get back to my side hustle with honestly little to no thought. (My brain was bone dry for cleaning tips.)

All I knew was that I found my excitement and passion in the small pockets of life where I got to practice photography. Following the COVID-19 pandemic where I was laid off from my part-time job, I packed all my belongings and headed out to Denver where I was determined to make my freelance career happen. Once I was settled, I knew I had made the right choice and found the place and people that would help my dreams come true.

Now as a full time portrait and wedding photographer/videographer, I’ve been lucky enough to tell the stories of my friends in the queer community, photograph incredible events like Denver Fashion Week, and collaborate with brands that share my values for creativity and inclusivity. When people ask what I like to photograph most, it’s hard to say. It’s more so about who is in front of my lens and why. I genuinely live for those moments of connection and am excited for what’s to come.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn in business and in life is that you have to appeal to the crowd and almost blend in, so that you can be successful. A lot of people will tell you to do your research and use the molds that are already developed. While I think it’s sounds advice at the beginning of your journey, after experiencing mistakes and learning about what you truly want out of your career, it’s ok to say no and flip the table.

It’s ok for you to have your own style, to set your own boundaries, and to take life at your own pace. The right people will value your time and work, and most importantly show respect to your craft.

I used to be so afraid and sought everyone’s approval but unlearning that narrative has only elevated my life and artistry. I lead with my heart and intertwine that into my business whenever I can. So it is a privilege to know me and also to have access to my skills.

Any advice for managing a team?

As our projects get bigger and better, it’s important for me to bring in underrepresented and exceptional talent. Managing a team and maintaining high morale feels simple to me in the sense that I treat them the way I would want to be treated. We offer competitive wages, stay organized, communicate respectfully, all to create a positive work environment. The people who work with Jas K Productions align with our mission and we inspire each other daily, which ultimately helps bring us closer and pushes our artistry. It also helps that we absolutely adore our clients!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaskproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaskproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaskproductions
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jaskproductions
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaskproductions?app=musically&language=en&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAPY29umuok1m2H7D8cyCRXO6A_YaEQOMu9xqlBfQsXI1sjcaYAylJU1RvDrK_fT2g&tt_from=copy&u_code=d9d5gdi5adi5bf&user_id=6762327883051860998&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios

Image Credits
Jas K Productions, Jas Kitterman