We recently connected with Justin Allen and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was a screen printer for sixteen years, and had worked my way up from the very bottom of the industry, to managing a multi-million dollar facility. I was making more money than I ever had before, but I was incredibly unhappy in that industry because of how hard it was on my body and mind. My printing career ended when a previous lower back injury got worse and made it nearly impossible to print at the level needed to excel in the field. I was a bit lost until a friend asked me to help him with sales for his photo and video business. I didn’t know anything at all about photography, but had a design background and luckily the fundamentals translate well between the two mediums, because I ended up with a camera in my hand.
Learning everything needed to even operate a camera effectively was overwhelming. I felt behind in ever aspect of the hands-on experience necessary, and comparing myself to all of my peers putting out incredible work really affected my mental well being. I’m naturally competitive, so it was an incredibly difficult adjustment of being the bottom man on the proverbial totem pole. My competitiveness kept me going, despite numerous moments where I wanted to throw in the towel. Eventually,my competitiveness took a backseat to my willingness to learn and work with others, and that’s when things really started coming together for my style and abilities within the photo and video industry.
It was a huge risk to leave an industry that had provided well for me for half of my life, to jump into a wildly unpredictable, competitive, and oversaturated industry.
Photography and videography have been the only endeavors that have given me the same feelings I once had about the printing industry, which is why I enjoy the risk of reestablishing myself and a professional in a new industry.

Justin, 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?

I am Michigan based photographer and videographer. I take pride in my ability to provide many different editing styles and looks for my clients based on their needs. Learning from many different photographers that had their own distinct styles has allowed me to become proficient in many different photography styles.
I love working with my clients to help them achieve the look that they want, whether it be building sets, location scouting, wardrobe or lighting. There’s so many different creative variables that makes every shoot unique to each client.
I think what sets me apart from a lot of photographers is that I’m comfortable with many different styles and I’m not afraid to take creative risks that others may find “taboo” or less than desirable in the field.
My favorite shoots are when the client is willing to take inspiration from late 70s-early 90s vintage advertising and postcard style imagery. I absolutely love that aesthetic, you don’t see it often these days. I take a lot of inspiration for coloring from that era and style.
I wish more people outside of the industry knew how much that photographers care about your happiness. Many people think it’s as simple as “point and shoot”, but they don’t take into consideration all of the pre- and post- work necessary to get you the professional level images that you love. Most photographers lose money on their first shoots, or find themselves undercharging and overworking b until they burn out. We truly love what we do, and it’s hard to separate the art from the business side of things at times.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my reputation hinges on my ability to listen to my clients, not listening TO respond. Caring about their wants and needs, and showing them that I care through my actions and their end product, has built a solid word of mouth reputation for me. Clients just want to be heard, so listen to them.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Creating has always been something that I’ve had to do throughout my life. Whether it be printing, design, writing, or photo and video. It’s a cathartic process for me, and how I am able to navigate through mental health struggles. The tortured artist cliche exists for a reason and many artists are using their art to help release some of that struggle to show those that may be having similar issues that they aren’t alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shotbyjallen.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: @shotbyjallen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014286676928&mibextid=zLoPMf
• Youtube: @shotbyjallen

Image Credits
Photo of Justin Allen with camera provided by Lucas Durecki of LRD