We recently connected with Jazz Ponce and have shared our conversation below.

Jazz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The way I learned photography was through trial and error. I started this journey in 2016, and tried my best to learn the basics first: aperture, shutter, and ISO. After a few months, I felt I got the hang of it and started learning more how to edit photos using Adobe Lightroom. Knowing what I know now, I don’t think I would have changed my learning process. You always learn something new in photography, and I feel even though I have been taking photos for 7 years, there is still ALOT to experience with it. Being a photographer, you have to take risks, and what I mean by that is constantly having your finger on the camera button and just shooting what is around you. We all need to find our niche. Once you find what you are passionate about, then everything will come easy to you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jazz Ponce and I am a professional photographer. I have been taking photos for over 7 years, and still growing in this community. I mainly shoot for Sony products (A7 III preferably), but I don’t mind using Canon from time to time. The way I got into this industry was because I needed a camera to capture or document special moments in Hawaii 2016. I went for a spartan race, and I did not want to use my phone to take photos. I bought the Sony a6000, and from there, my intrigue for capturing moments took off from there. Coming back from Hawaii, I asked a professional wedding photographer/friend to just teach me the basics. From there, I did a couple free portrait shoots just to build a portfolio. Little by little, I created a name for myself in photography. Now I have taken maternity / graduation / family / wedding and engagement photos. Besides taking a variety of freelance work, I love street photography, especially capturing photos in Black & White. Something about those colors, and the presence I feel from them is a classic vintage vibe. If you want to see more of my work, please feel free to check out my instagram pages: @the__jazzz & @jazzponce_photography. Here is my website as well :)

https://jazzponcephotography.mypixieset.com/

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect about being a photographer is seeing the clients face brighten when they see the photos. In the beginning, most of my clients are a little nervous being in front of a camera, but I make sure they feel comfortable and to not have any worries, because the end product is always going to be the best!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There are a few books I’d love to share, and these I feel have made an impact in my ways of thinking and help with my creative style:

1. Outwitting the Devil – Napolean Hill
2. 12 Rules of Life – Jordan B. Peterson
3. The Art of War
4. Interviews and Conversations with Henri Cartier-Bresson

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jazzponcephotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the__jazzz/

Image Credits
All photos taken by me :) Jazz Ponce