We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Jimenez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.
Jordan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
When I have the camera in my hand I feel like I am holding a tool. Now with this camera, I can catch moments that happen within this crazy painting we call everyday life, but what makes me happy is showing people how they look on the other side of the lens. It’s hard to take a step back from life and enjoy the small moments because, with the way everything happens within seconds, we don’t have the chance to just breathe. The legacy I want to build and leave behind once I am gone is a legacy of pure love and hope. When I grew up I was blessed and still am to be the oldest brother to my siblings who looked up to me dearly. What they did not know was at the time I was going through dark times mentally and emotionally. My mind was always worried that the legacy I was going to leave was that of someone who couldn’t follow through with their dreams. It wasn’t till I saw them grow up and become the amazing individuals they are now. They taught me how to just be happy because when I was with them that’s all I ever felt. I took that feeling and applied it to what I do now and I can say it has been a hell of a ride. I want them to see if they put themselves through their dreams and goals and even when it gets hard to not give up because you never know when it will finally take off and all that struggle and stress finally pay off. All I hope is I am remembered for my joy and determination, because even if I had to do it all over again from the start with nothing but with what I started with I would do it a million times.
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 Jordan Jimenez; I am a photographer/videographer, and I was born and raised in the beautiful city of East Los Angeles. I specialize in sports and car photography/videography. When I was a young photographer, I used an old phone camera and my imagination. I would go to car shows or any event, take quick photos, and immediately edit them on my phone. It wasn’t till I received my first camera, a Canon AE-1 Program film camera that shot black and white. It is where I fell deeply in love with photography because I got to use the red room at Rio Hondo Community College. I had an amazing professor who guided me to become the photographer I am today. He taught me composition, lighting, frame rates, and most of all patience. With developing photos or editing footage it takes patience and a deep love for the visual arts you can create. When I look at the screen of my computer once I arrive home I smile like it’s my first time viewing the files all over again. I love to see the beauty in photos or the moments play out on video and just picture how it comes out as the final product. For my content I do not just throw a quick overlay on it and call it a day I will sit there and ensure every photo or video is personally looked at thoroughly and edited to near perfection. The best part of it all is showing the client because witnessing them smile or become excited as they watch the video brings a smile to my face. I love being the photographer who can always show the beauty in life.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When it comes to funding and how it all started was working a full-time job and saving as much as I could on the side. Once I was ready I bought my first Sonya7ii and a small adapter for a film lens. Then as I saved more I would go on to collect more parts and necessities for my equipment. I feel like the key to having a successful business is to save as much as you could, buy what you need, and understand that the money doesn’t just flow in immediately once you start. With photography or videography, the job is connections and a huge amount of patience. Ever since taking that into consideration, I know once I buy a lens it will take me multiple bookings to make a profit off that purchase, but it is worth it. Once you start to network the job becomes lighter of a toll since you get to work with those who have similar interests or they spread the word about your work and vice versa.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
During the start of my business, I immediately took into the idea that social media is a huge tool for growing and being able to showcase what you do with visuals. When I started to post photos I would always use the tools that are on the post options so I would add a location, attach a song, and even add a topic tag within it. The real tool that I used to grow my page was keeping in contact with clients and friends. It is so important that we as small businesses or creatives support others in the same industry. By keeping a well-connected network we can all lend a hand in others’ success. I deeply believe in that because a lot of my growth online was through friends, families, and other creatives who would help me by sharing their feeds or stories. My advice to those who are starting with using social media as a tool is to be true to who you are and what your business stands for. There are a million people who use social media and dozens of individuals in the industry, but there is only one you with the same creative mind you harbor. When I first started all my photos were street-style photos and cars, As time went on my style grew and so did I. This new audience who has just found out about you can look back and see where you started and how much your craft has improved.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemphotos23/?igshid=MTIyMzRjYmRlZg%3D%3D
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jemphotos23
- Other: https://poplme.co/D1D9MUkO
Image Credits
Jimenez Media