How To Work Towards One Goal While Pursuing Another: Q&A With Jay Adams
I always find that when I get to network with other industry professionals that it gives me perspective about photography. I happened to network an amazing photographer that has an incredible work ethic. Not that other photographers don’t but its one thing to have photography be your livelihood, its another to work in another industry while you build up your clientele, portfolio, and sharpen your tools as you are transitioning into another. Jay has always stood out for me, and mostly because we have similar positions, both of us are in the education field and looking to transition into an artistic one, which can have its fluctuations in income. If you are in the middle of trying to transition to a fulltime job in photography… this may be of some help for you!
Q&A:
If you were looking to make it as a photographer what would be a bit of advice that you would give to someone starting off?
I would advise anyone looking to “make it” to first know what they want to do or at least not to spend a lot of time figuring it out. Be decisive and focused; if you want to shoot fashion then shoot fashion and focus on that because different types of photography require different skill sets and equipment and the last thing you want to do is waste time and money.
Other than that be willing to fail and get rejected and know how to move on from those experience because they are inevitable and constant throughout any career but even more so in the arts.
Are you looking to make this your fulltime career?
Yes, I am positioning myself to pursue photography full time.
Give me a basic look at your life?
Ah thats a hard one. I’m a son, a brother, a boyfriend, a teacher, a businessman, a poet, a graphic and web designer and a photographer. Thats a brief look at my life and all of those things require 100% of my time and energy so I would say I live a very exhausting yet incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable life.
how do you balance your work and your personal life?
I use omnifocus on my laptop which is a getting things done application and my cell phone as my primary means of organization. Keeping meticulous to-do lists honestly keep my life in balance. That and God, without God I would lose my mind with all the things I’m doing. He gives me peace of mind.
Where do you want to take this?
I learned a long time ago that it isnt about where I want to go but about where God wants to take me or send me. I’ve learned to be obedient to God in that sense. I hope my efforts take me to the top of the industry but only if thats where I’m suppose to be. If God takes my skills as a photographer and sends me to another country to shoot and and report on genocide then thats what I’ll do.
Ok… so you are teaching and a professional photographer, how do you stay organized?
I take one task at a time and check them off as I go along. I try to separate them as much as possible so I give whichever aspect of my life I’m working in at that moment my full attention.
What are some tips that people can maybe implement so that they can balance out say if someone were to start photography but since it takes a few years to build clientele and make a profit that puts you in the green?
Find a good job that gives you a little off time to pursue pro bono work while funding equipment and studio time if necessary while you hone your skills and develop a client base.
How did you start? Have you had any professional training?
I started off shooting my design portfolio, I wanted nicer images of my print work so I went the dslr route. Seemed like a waste to use such a nice camera to just shoot pieces of paper so naturally I started shooting candids of friends and the rest is history. I never took any classes I just read a lot about photography before I got started. Even now I’m constantly reading and watching bts videos from other photographers when I can find good ones.
What made you stick with this?
I love it, it relaxes me and puts money in my pocket every now and then which doesnt hurt. I’ve also met some really cool people and built relationships with many of them which is always nice.
I’ve really enjoyed your portfolio, if someone were to build theirs how would you recommend they go about this?
Hire me! hahaha. Or they could learn html and css and build it on their own like I do
Is there any other area of photography that you are looking to get into?
Not really, like I said its important to focus or you waste a lot of time running in place.
I’ve heard from Rick Sammon that what he specializes in is not specializing in anything… what are your thoughts on this approach (since usually many photographers tend to find their niche, do you think its better to be open for everything or stick to finding one area to excel in?)
Its good to have a diverse skill set but better to focus on one aspect of photography and explore different aspects within that genre.
You have any good resources that you wanna give out (this could be from where to learn photography, or where to get the best prints, what editing software you use etc.)
photoshop lightroom and cs4
Do you have any influences on your photography? What does inspire you?
Film really inspires and fashion I really appreciate fashion so naturally I’m a fashion photographer. And women… the beauty of women really inspires my images.
Just for fun.. what gear do you shoot with?
profoto strobes
nikon d300 and a variety of lenses
Ok how did you get to shoot and work with modeling agencies like Ford, and would you suggest this route as a way to break in?
Honestly, I called them and they liked my work. It took me by surprise actually. You call them they ask if your work is online and you send them a link thats it. They called me an hour after I sent the email. I must be doing something right hahaha
If you want to be a pro photographer you have to shoot with pro models period. Otherwise people just dont take you seriously and thats unfortunate because there are a lot of unsigned models who are far more adept than some agency represented girls at least when you’re first starting out.
Do you ever feel you get looked over as a photographer not so much for your portfolio but maybe even for people who have a specific bias about how a photographer should look?
I think that comes with being a person of color in general. If you dont look like the folks on the pedestal in a given industry its harder for you to get the opportunity to knock them off that top spot.
Look at Obama, if all previous presidents were black no one would think twice about him running. But he was and will remain different, a first, a forerunner. I dont see many people in the industry that look like at the level I’m trying to take this and thats difficult to deal with but it doesn’t feel impossible just more of challenge.
I think my work speaks for itself but on top of all that the industry is so subjective their is no formula for success.
Do you ever find that you ever have times where photography clashes with your other career?
No, but teaching is incredibly time consuming so I feel like teaching limits the time I’m able to shoot.
Do your kids know about you being a photographer? DO you feel that this can be a complication or issue if they were to know or were not to see your more “edgy” images or work?
I’m very open about what I do outside of school. My kids know I’m a real person and so do my colleagues, I have passions and extra curricular activities too. My colleagues have seen my work and that doesnt bother me. Kids see far more graphic images in music and on tv than they ever would in my book so that doesnt bother me either.
How do you deal with the competition of other photographers either up and coming or highly experienced gunning to “Out shoot” you?
Well I dont think anyone can out shoot me but I also dont think I can out shoot anyone else. Its all subjective. I love seeing other photographer work and I hope I inspire others as well. I just hope to contribute to the art form and have the opportunity to collaborate with the some of the best in the industry and shoot with some of the equipment that top pros do.
Lastly.. where do you see this industry heading?
I hope it becomes more socially conscious. I was really pleased to see the editorial on plus size models in V magazine I think that is a step in the right direction. But its hard to ask a lot from an industry so heavily invested in superficiality eurocentric views of beauty.
Thanks Jay for the opportunity to learn from you! I look forward to hearing of your future success!
If you haven’t had a chance to see his work take a look at his portfolio… if you aren’t impressed in at least some of his images … chances are that you are on the page!
Jay Adams
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Creative Director
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