We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Robert Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Robert, thanks for joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?
There’s been a lot of firsts for me over the 13th years I’ve been a professional photographer. My very first first was a photojournalist for my hometown newspaper. I was working at the local gym and the editor of the paper was a regular. After a while we got to know each other and when she learned I was an aspiring photographer she told me to come by the paper Monday morning for my first freelance assignment.
Fast forward a few years and I was looking to expand my portfolio into product photography. I decided the best approach would be to direct message all my favorite local brands on Instagram something like this: ‘hey, I’m a photographer with no product photography experience, but I love your products and I’d like to photograph them.’ Within a week I had a handful of takers and brand new connections in a new industry.
Sometime after that I decided I wanted to expand into event photography, but again I didn’t know anyone in that space; but my accountant did. She helped me set up a meeting with one of the most successful event photographers in Austin and we got coffee to chat about photography. Less than a month later he called me to see if I wanted to be a second shooter for him at his next event and just like that, I was in.
It turns out that professional photography is really hard, but it’s not complicated; like everything else in the world, it’s all about connections.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a professional photographer based in Austin, Texas, but just as often my family and I are on the road exploring new states, National Parks, and hidden corners of the country.
Inspired by old National Geographic magazines and documentaries, I cut my teeth in photography as a freelancer for my hometown newspaper when I was 18-years-old. Now I have over 12 years of photography and videography experience with commercial shoots, editorial and travel assignments, portraiture, event photography, and fine art landscape photography.
If you look at my work you’ll see I have a passion for the outdoors and travel. Whether it’s trail running on the Barton Creek Greenbelt here in Austin, fly fishing for tarpon in Puerto Rico, or visiting every National Park with my wife, the time I spend outside the office is almost always spent outside. My event photography takes me to some really interesting places with even more interesting people; from birthday parties to the Westlake prom afterparty to fancy galas with the McCombs School of Business.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
They were a lot of fun while they lasted, but unfortunately I think we’ve already lived through peak NFT demand. I don’t think the world is ready to leave physical spaces for virtual worlds just yet.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had spent as much time on my connections as I did my craft. I spent untold hours learning to be a great photographer, but only in the last few years have I really been able to make connections and that’s way more important than the finer points of technical photography skill.
Contact Info:
- Website: wrobertjones.com
- Instagram: @rob.art.jones
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjonesphotos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wrobertjones/
Image Credits
W. Robert Jones