Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeffrey Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Jeffrey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Learning photography NEVER stops. It is something that you need to continue to practice, learn, and research constantly.
I starting taking photos when I was a young child… maybe 5 years old? I had a film camera that was just a touch above a disposable. I loved to send film off to get processed, When I went out of town for vacations I would ALWAYS take my camera. When I was in High School my father really started to teach me how to use his camera on manual mode. I even entered some of my self developed photos into contests and won some prizes.
After graduating High School I jumped right into full time work as a high voltage electrician and did not try photography for about 11 years. After my father did, I started to do photography again as a way to honor my father’s memory and I never stopped! I booked my first wedding and I was hooked on this life!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The two biggest areas of photography for me is weddings and boudoir. My first paying job was a wedding. I started offering boudoir a few years after I started photography professionally after one of my friends told me that I am comfortable to be around. Since then I really have focused on boudoir and weddings.
I offer finely crafted prints and albums that are designed to last centuries. All on archival paper and the finest binding. those physical products combined with my photography make me a lethal combination.
The only problems that I have struggled with for long term is finding new clients. Marketing and networking is the bane of my existence! So for the last few years I have been focusing on that I saw some huge progress! All of this can be learned. Just start jumping into it. Read and read often. Watch YouTube videos on it. Listen to podcast. Make this the only subject you learn about and you will see change!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wished I started learning about selling and marketing more than photography. I would have been more successful earlier. Focus on selling more than your craft! That is how you will not be a starving artist.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
yes! I also teach photography and I am currently writing my first book. More to come after I hope! I read somewhere that super successful people never have ONE source of income. It’s from about 5-9 sources. So always look for ways to add passive income to you!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jeffrey.photos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyphotog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyPhotog
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-thomas-a003b0134/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCURXO3gnR9WZJEy5rCbYJFA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jeffrey-thomas-photography-dallas
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me. Subjects in the photos are ok with me using their photos for advertisement. I never share photos where the subject does not want me to share them.