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

Hi Jay, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I knew for months that I was going to quit my teaching job, and I finally did last June, but I didn’t know then that I’d be calling myself a full-time entrepreneur right now.

I was for certain that I wanted to become a teacher at the age of three, and I never let that thought drift. As a child I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals how to read, and in college I spent my summers at internships and fellowships that better prepared me for the classroom. However, as a full time teacher and especially during the pandemic, my frustration with our education system grew, and leaving it became the best decision for my peace and well-being.

I had no idea what was next, as I thought that I’d be teaching for the rest of my life, but I noticed that many teachers were moving into educational technology, and so I thought it made sense for me to do the same. To make the transition easier, I enrolled in a program that supported teachers moving from the classroom into the world of educational technology, but as the pandemic job market shifted and people were let go, it was difficult for me to get an interview, let alone an offer.

After months of searching for a new job I finally got an interview with a company to teach intervention online for only a few hours a week. The job was so small that I was almost certain I was going to get it. In addition to that I found out the interviewer was from my hometown, and even attended the same high school as I did. I remember finishing the interview in confidence, but the next day I received an email letting me know that I had not gotten the job.

After receiving that no, I began to reassess:  maybe Edtech wasn’t for me.  Truthfully, educational technology wasn’t what I really wanted to do, and I needed to be honest with myself about that.

I’ve always loved photography and have been taking pictures and running my business on the side for about 14 years now. I actually thought about the idea of being a full-time photographer while applying for new work, but it just sounded too good to be true. I eventually started to feel as though the reason I was having so much trouble with finding a job was because I hadn’t said yes to myself and what I really wanted to do. In September I took some time off from job searching, did some deep thinking with myself and God, and felt like I needed to finally say yes to me and my photography business, Jay B Image Lab LLC.

This overall is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, yet one of the best decisions I could have made. I realized that although I always wanted to be a teacher there was another dream growing that I needed to give my attention to. I am still new to the game of full-time entrepreneurship, but nonetheless I am incredibly proud of my courage and willingness to walk in this journey.

Jay, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Jay Byers and I am a photographer and the founder of Jay B Image Lab LLC. I have been taking pictures for over 14 years now and started off as a self-portrait photographer. I’m adopted and as a child, I struggled to see myself in my beautiful and racially diverse family. To compensate for that and to better understand my identity as a teenager, I would take self-portraits. Now, I work to capture the love and light in individuals and their stories. I provide in-studio and on-location photography services in Atlanta for branding and lifestyle, traditional portraits, and special occasions that deserve to be visually commemorated as well. My goal in every shoot is to honor, celebrate and illuminate individuals for who they are and what they have accomplished. I want my images to enhance a person’s individuality and story in a way that is pleasing to them and inspiring to those who will see it. I’ve also started to take more pictures at events that focus on creatives, good vibes and Black culture. Some of the events that I’ve been able to photograph are:  “CultureCon” in New York, “Unbothered Live: The Glow Up” in Atlanta, The Brooklyn Tea Block Party in Atlanta, and “Everyday People NYC” at their Atlanta event.  It gives me joy to capture people in their element. I truly do think our stories are often heard, but they deserve to be seen, and I’m looking forward to taking more pictures of people in 2023.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There are certain aspects of entrepreneurship that definitely make this lifestyle a true walk of faith. Often as entrepreneurs we are seeking opportunities for ourselves and our businesses, and sometimes things just don’t work out or simply just aren’t for us, and I’ve had to learn to be okay with that. In the last couple of months and on two occasions specifically I was turned down, but in a way that still pushed me and my resilience. The first was in October when I applied for a media pass for CultureCon NYC. Due to limited passes they were unable to give me one, but they were still nice enough to offer me a ticket to still attend.

I knew that if I didn’t have a media pass I wouldn’t be able to take my camera, so I rented an acceptable sized camera from Apeturent, flew to New York, stood in the crowd as if I still had a media pass, and took all the pictures I could get. I was able to capture and gain insight from major gems like: Tracee Ellis Ross, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J,  and HBCU alumni who were a part of Nike’s campaign, “Yardrunners.” I also built my network and had the chance to continue conversations with some amazing creatives who were willing to connect with and support me beyond the conference.

Also, in October, I applied to become an adjunct photography professor.  I was so ecstatic as I felt like this role spoke to my teaching and photography background. After applying, the director of the department reached out and said they loved my work and were wondering if I had forgotten to submit my masters degree. I told them that I didn’t have one, but that I was stepping out on faith and shooting my shot. Unfortunately I couldn’t continue the process because I didn’t meet that requirement. I didn’t know how to feel after that, but I knew I wasn’t inadequate. I experienced a moment of sadness, but I was also very aware of the fact that I had the talent and skill they were looking for, just not the degree, and not having a specific degree doesn’t take away from our talent or skill.

Shortly after and on that same day, I listened to an Instagram live of one of my favorite writers, a New York bestselling author and wellness educator, Alex Elle. Alex was having a conversation with Tabitha Brown about her latest book, “How We Heal,” and the book tour she was on. One of Alex’s stops was going to be in Atlanta the very next day, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to shoot my shot again. I went to her website and emailed her team, and asked if I could be her photographer for the event. I kept thinking that I should’ve reached out weeks ago, but luckily I got a response right away. What I thought was going to be a chance for me to attend the event, and maybe take a few pictures in the front row, turned out to be Alex and her team taking a chance on me and my photography. From backstage to onstage, I served as Alex’s personal photographer for the entire event. Alex and her team were so kind to me and I was able to capture some amazing pictures they ended up using. I was overall shook, but in the very best way because literally the day before I didn’t get something, but the very next day I had an opportunity that was beyond what I would have thought of actually happening.

I can only imagine what would have happened if I had let the fear of being told I was unable to receive a media pass or a job defeat me, and I’m so glad I didn’t. The lesson in this for me has been that no matter how many nos I may receive-and there will be more, my purpose is always worthy, and it’s it’s my resilience and willingness to keep going that leads me to moments like serving as Alex Elle’s photographer.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Contact Info:

• Website: Jaybimagelab.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaybimagelab/
• Facebook: Jay B Image Lab

Image Credits
Jay B Image Lab LLC