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

Yaseen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

While working at my last employer , I would hone my photography skills by offering ALOT of free photo sessions to any and everyone that I could convince to take a chance on me and stand in front of my camera on days off and weekends. I figured if I could begin to showcase my skill and talent by building a portfolio, that the financial aspect of building the business would follow in due time, and IT DID! Several friends and family that I photographed would share their images online, and in the world of social media, that was more than a blessing!

In 2019, I transitioned from a corporate career in business management into photography and videography full time after several of those free sessions turned into paid referrals and inquiries grew. From there, the risky decision to step out on faith, establish a business, and explore entrepreneurship came to be. It was a bigger risk than I ever imagined with the abrupt world changes that occurred in 2020. I was worried that I may have made the wrong decision and super fast.

It was extremely difficult in the beginning to manage my time correctly as well. I would take on too many projects without accounting for time needed for post production/editing, being a new husband, and struggling with anxiety, I became very overwhelmed, VERY fast. Learning to factor in that extra processing time and set realistic expectations for when projects would be returned , saved my life.

Yaseen, 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’ve always viewed photography as a unique art. I believe my love for photographer could be traced back to way before I actually picked up a camera. Being able to create any form of art has always been rewarding and comforting for me. “Shinee (Shy/nee) Studios” (affectionately name after my daughter) was created that same year and has been a force ever since.

Shinee Studios is a photography and videography collective located in the Baltimore/Washington Dc Areas. We’ve created a small but mighty team of talented visionaries that specialize in all things media from Editorial Photography, Weddings, Sports, Special Occasions, Music Videography, Short Films, and more. I’ve personally expanded recently into photojournalism as I want to be as well versed in every skill as possible.

We are hands-on in every aspect of planning photo sessions. From assisting with finding the perfect the vision that our clients desire to being supportive in all things from styling decisions, set design ideas, posing, and shaking any nervousness for first-timers in front of the camera

Most people would make the joke that I’ve never met a stranger as I have a unique talent of making new clients feel as though they’ve known us forever! I’m proud of that though! Today, we all could use all the smiles , love, and memories that we can get!!

How’d you meet your business partner?

That’s…..an interesting story , Haha! My business partner is my best friend and someone I’ve known for years who not only has excellent ideas, but an amazing spirit and energy even when tough days come. Entrepreneurship is what I like to call the “world’s wildest roller coaster” . Building a business with a partner who can handle the on/off days with positivity and a solution-based focus is the key to a successful partnership.

Also, I guess now I should mention she’s also my wife! (laughs) And although some may say it can be almost impossible to run a business with your spouse, We’ve navigated entrepreneurship together for the past four years and have great communication when it comes to business decisions and how to progress forward!

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

The finished product! The most rewarding aspect is sending that album of wedding photos back, or getting the text full of crying emoji’s from expecting parents after maternity sessions. Oh! Seeing that someone has my work printed and framed on the walls of their homes or offices?? WHEW!!

I admittedly am working harder to accept verbal compliments without getting shy and quickly asking someone to stop! (laughs) Just knowing that the work I capture translates to others as I see it in my mind, is one of the warmest feelings.

Contact Info:

• Website: shineestudiosllc.com
• Instagram: seenthephotog
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaseen-jones-7a012a23b/

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Yaseen Jones of Shinee Studios LLC