I think that a lot of photographers undervalue the importance of their website. The best analogy I can use is to imagine Vogue with the absolute best photos in the world, but printed on rice paper or pulp paper and held together by Elmer’s glue. Nobody’s going to buy that. You still have to have the entire package.
Joe Jenkins
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Joe Jenkins is a headshot, event, and portrait photographer based out of New York City. Joe is a passionate artist who enjoys capturing moments both professional and candid. There is a sense of vibrancy that comes with his images as he blends dynamic settings with compelling subjects. Joe’s dedication to his craft is evident throughout our conversation.
In this episode, Joe and I talk about:
- Using Capture One as an editing program versus others
- The learning curves he had to overcome when starting his own business
- What’s coming next in his photographic career
& much more!
I enjoyed my conversation with Joe as it gave me some perspective about jumping headfirst into a new craft, and then creating a business from it. Joe has weathered it all with a smile on his face and it was awesome to have a chance to sit with him.
Here’s a preview of my conversation with Joe.
Q: When did you first become interested in photography?
Joe Jenkins: I was walking down the street, and I knew that actor headshots were a thing in New York City. To me, it seemed like magic money: somebody pays you $1,000 for an hour of your time, and you photograph their face, and that’s it. I had a Nikon D3200, a shoot-through umbrella, and a speed light. I bought those things because I had previously been selling second-hand clothing on eBay and had saved up some money—not a whole bunch, but enough to buy some basic gear. I remember walking down the street and thinking, “You know what? I’m going to start taking headshots.”
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced when you were starting out?
Joe Jenkins: I don’t think I really went through a series of hardships, just the typical challenges everyone faces. I mean, I got really lucky with professional photography. It eventually came back to bite me, but I got into photography during what I like to call the golden era of insights.
Q: Do you network a lot? Do you meet up with other photographers at all?
Joe Jenkins: Honestly, dude, I work at least 100 hours a week. I’m just really busy with my own projects and clients. I just don’t have the time to get out there. I wish I could, but that’s just life right now.
