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

Jesse, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

I guess I need to go back to the beginning to when I first picked up a camera. After my mother passed away in 2004 I began living with my dad and then step-mother in Paonia, CO.

That following spring we had a series of rain storms that left the foliage vibrantly green and the earth rich brown. On one particular day the storms let up leaving crystal clear blue skies and a small halo of clouds around Mt. Lamborn. I was fortunate enough at the time to live in a house that faced directly towards Mt. Lamborn so upon seeing such a magnificent scene I knew I had to capture it.

This was before digital cameras really hit the market so what I had available was a cheap wind up film camera that didn’t even have a detachable lens or aperture settings.

I took that camera and shot the scene from under the awning of our front porch to prevent overexposure and was able to capture everything I saw in almost perfect detail. When I received the image back after having the film developed I knew that I wanted to be a photographer.

My largest obstacle? Money. My family was never very well off so even attempting to get the gear or take classes was a major road-block that I couldn’t navigate on my own.

Fast forward to 2011 and I was finally able to purchase my first DSLR. After several reviews and talking to a sports photographer that I knew at the time I decided on a Canon Rebel T2i. Looking back I wish I would have chosen something a little bit better but it was a good starter camera for the price.

Using that camera, I took a journalism elective in college that focused on composure and story-telling through photographs. During that class I learned about the “War Photographer” James Nachtwey who quickly became my inspiration for how I would later compose and expose my images. His signature style has always been sharp images with deep contrast and compositions that really draw the focus to his subjects.

I had a lot to learn and didn’t feel like I had the right equipment for what I wanted to do. But I still started working under the name Untapped Potential Studios, created a brand, logo, and even booked a couple weddings and modeling gigs.

That was 2011-2012.

It wasn’t until 2015 that I was able to refine my focus and start working towards event and promotional photography working with publications, artists, and venues.

This is where I feel like I should have put more focus on starting this sooner. I just didn’t know. Prior to 2015 I hadn’t even gone to a concert. I missed out on a lot. However, as soon as I saw Nightwish in concert for the first time at Ogden Theater in Denver, CO I knew that my calling was just around the corner. I also knew that my now older cannon would not cut it.

Fast forward again to 2019. I am finally in a financial position to start looking at better cameras. My issue now is that $2000 dollar camera bodies in 2012 are now $4000 dollar camera bodies. So I researched day and night trying to find an option. I settled on a Huawei P20 Pro cellphone out of China. I chose it because of the 40mp Leica sensor that it had. It was an $800 dollar investment that really changed my life.

I solicited several venues in Fort Collins just asking to take photos at shows for experience. I promised I would even buy tickets. Only one responded. Hodi’s Half Note in Fort Collins, CO. Although it is now closed and the location has become Comedy Fort that venue will always have my heart. They gave me a chance when all I had was a cellphone.

Over the last 3 years I have graduated from that cellphone to a Sony A7III with two Sigma lenses. A 50mm Art Prime lens and a 24-70mm telephoto zoom lens that is also from the Art line. I have a website now, my hobby is now an LLC registered in CO, and my social media presence has grown from just my handful of friends to 800+ followers and likes with a monthly 7,000 impressions.

I still can’t go full-time with it but I have to wonder where I would be if I had bought a similar camera system in 2011 instead of my Canon T21. Could I have gone professional and made a career out of it? Possibly. I wouldn’t change the journey though. Through it I have learned more than I ever could in a classroom and have met the best people in the event industry.

I really credit the Northern Colorado Music scene for supporting me. Without their support I couldn’t be where I am today.

Jesse, 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?

Untapped Potential Studios is a multi-media company working in film and digital photography for events and promotional settings. Our focus is local musicians in the Denver – Fort Collins area. While I am still learning about film and movie creation I have a strong portfolio of photographs that show case the extent and growth of my skills.

I am proud that I can offer a unique photography style that meshes my inspiration from James Nachtwey with my own skills. My images come out as clear as the setting I am in can make them with deep contrast and vibrant colors.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I think this and the next question go hand-in-hand.

There are a lot of ways to build a social media network/following. While I have thought of paying for follows or advertising more I want my following to be comprised of people who truly admire my work.

My approach has been to connect with bands/artists/venues/promotion companies and show my skills before making an approach. By doing this I show all of my cards and they know what I bring to the table.

I like to be responsive and will take time to respond to each message or review I receive. I attempt to at least react to each comment or tag I receive but there are always some that slip by me.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Communication and transparency. If you run into a problem be as forward as you can with it. Own your mistakes. Give refunds or discounts if you don’t live up to the expectations you set. Be humble. We’re all people. We all make mistakes. By owning ours and trying to improve on ourselves that will allow us to attract the right customers/partnerships and maintain a good working relationship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://untappedpotentialstudios.com
• Instagram: @untappedpotentialstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UntappedStudios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuac_OBentWSF6Tr_8UbiQA