We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonelle Forbes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonelle below.
Jonelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I firmly believe that success can be distilled into four essential ingredients: passion, perseverance, adaptability, and creativity. Passion serves as the driving force that keeps us motivated, pushing us to confront challenges and aspire to greatness. Perseverance embodies our unwavering commitment to our goals, allowing us to persist even when faced with adversity, ultimately transforming failures into valuable stepping stones. Adaptability equips us to thrive in an ever-evolving world, enabling us to roll with the punches and seize new opportunities as they arise. And then there’s creativity—a secret sauce that fuels innovative thinking, setting us apart in our respective fields. When we blend these qualities together, we concoct a recipe for success that propels us toward our dreams and leaves an indelible mark on our journey.
Recently, I encountered a situation where adaptability and creativity played pivotal roles in achieving success. My social media reach for my photography work had dwindled, prompting me to seek a creative solution. Instead of adhering to my usual routine of sharing wedding and portrait photos, I decided to pivot. I tapped into my passion for photography and brainstormed new ideas. Observing that other photographers were getting their images shared by local weathermen, I devised a plan to leverage this trend for my benefit. I embarked on a mission to capture captivating weather-related shots that I believed could boost my online presence. The gamble paid off! In a short span of time, my social media engagement skyrocketed. A single post reached over 50,000 people within a couple of days, showcasing how adaptability and creative thinking could breathe new life into my photography career. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of these four key ingredients on the path to success.
Jonelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Ever since I first picked up a camera in high school, I’ve been totally hooked! I always felt like it was not just a hobby, it was my calling. I used to disappear into the darkroom, losing myself in the magic of developing photos. Back then, my dream was to be a photojournalist because I was fascinated by the idea of telling stories through pictures.
In 2015, I decided to take a leap and turn my photography passion into a career. I soon found wedding photography was the perfect blend of my love for storytelling and creating those emotional, timeless photos that families treasure.
But here’s the thing: photography also became my go-to in awkward social situations. It was my way of connecting with people and the world in a way that felt way more comfortable than small talk. Behind the camera, I could express myself in ways I couldn’t quite manage in a regular conversation.
Over time, I’ve realized that wedding photography is where I truly shine. I love the challenges it throws at me, from capturing tiny details to candid moments and sweeping landscapes—all while weaving together a captivating and creative story. But what makes me really proud is my unique vision, my knack for catching those small but important details, and my commitment to constantly learning and pushing my limits. Photography isn’t just a job to me; it’s how I turn life’s moments and emotions into a visual legacy that lasts forever. And along the way, it’s helped me break through social awkwardness and connect with the world and my clients in my own special way.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
When I started my business, I didn’t exactly have the fancy camera gear I have now. I started with a basic, entry-level camera, which was pretty much all I had at the time. I’d just become a new mom, and my bank account wasn’t exactly overflowing with startup capital. As my business started picking up steam, I reinvested everything I earned right back into it. I didn’t rush out to buy new gear until I’d actually earned the money through my photography gigs. I added only one or two new things at a time. I think it is a crucial aspect that many aspiring photographers miss when diving into starting a business. There’s this misconception that you need the latest and greatest gear to succeed, but honestly, I disagree! Learning how to make the most of what you have is way more valuable than dropping a ton of cash on something you might not even need or know how to use. That kind of knowledge comes from experience and continuous learning.
Plus, I didn’t dive headfirst into the world of wedding photography until I felt absolutely confident that I had the right gear and knowledge to handle it. I’ve seen plenty of new photographers eager to tackle weddings right out of the gate, but I’ve always believed in building a strong foundation first. Trust me, when it comes to weddings, there’s a whole lot that can go haywire, and you want to be absolutely sure you’re equipped to handle anything that comes your way.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Creative types often find themselves in a bit of a challenging spot in the business world. I mean, sure, those with a more business-focused mindset might have their strengths, but us creatives? We bring something really special to the table. You see, anyone can pick up technical skills and learn editing styles, but that creative spark—the ability to dream up something totally fresh—is a rare gem.
We’re always hustling to cook up new ideas and innovative ways to stand out, and it can be flat-out draining at times while trying to run a business and stay afloat with life in general. We’re deeply invested in our work, pouring our heart and soul into our artistic visions. So when all that effort doesn’t immediately translate into a booming business, it can be tough.
Full disclosure, the business side of things isn’t exactly easy for me, and I know I’m not alone. The never-ending inbox and editing grind can sometimes feel like they’re sucking the creative juice right out of me. That’s when personal projects become my lifeline, reigniting that creative spark.
But here’s the beautiful part: one of the absolute best things about being an artist or creative is the sheer joy of bringing a client’s vision to life. When you see the genuine love and appreciation in their eyes for the work you’ve done, it’s like winning the lottery. Hearing them gush about how their photos whisk them back to those special moments and reignites all those feelings—well, it’s the ultimate reward. That feeling, knowing that your work has the power to stir up such deep emotions and create lasting memories, is what keeps me going. Capturing the essence of their loved ones, keeping their memory alive and well in the hearts and minds of those who hold them dear is one of the most important parts of what we do as photographers.
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