Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Lester.
Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
15 years ago a co-worker seen me playing with a cheap digital camera and asked me if I would take some pictures of her for a model agency she was applying to. The pics turned out amazing and I discovered I had a natural eye for photography. I had always dabbled with cameras and taking photos but this time something clicked and before I knew it, other aspiring local models asked me if I would take their photos and it took off from there.
I kept telling myself I’m going to be a photographer. I said that over and over again. Pretty much beat it into my subconscious.
I just kept shooting and learning.
Years later and I have had some amazing opportunities come my way and have managed to turn my love of photography into a living!
My work has been published in various fashion and glamor magazines; I have numerous books out there with my work featured on the cover and have even ranked really high in worldwide photography competitions!
I have been blessed with this amazing talent that took a guy with no real direction in life and have made something out of myself with it.
I honestly don’t know where it’s going but I damn sure am enjoying the ride!!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I honestly think I have went through more b.s. than the average photographer has to deal with. In our little area I have had to deal with nasty people constantly trying to make me look bad and spread rumors about me to discredit my work. From the very beginning people would attack my work and paint me in the worst light.
I was different from the norm and I guess it threatened a lot of other photographers in my area.
I’ve lived a wild life and to be honest I have never dealt with such nasty and catty behavior as I have in our little photography community here in SW Va.
I have fought my way through malicious and just downright nasty accusations and slander all because I was a man doing photography in a mainly female driven field around here.
It used to bug me a lot more than it does now. I have realized that if I had all these people in an uproar just from being a good photographer and the fact that they all had to gang up on me, I must be doing something right!
So, even after I almost lost everything due to people’s ugliness and vicious attacks, I persevere and am building it all back up again.
I have some of the best clientele that values not only my work but the experience they get from shooting with me!
I show them that no matter what haters may say, who I am as a person and as a photographer shines through the nonsense.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist through and through. I paint, draw, sculpt, play music, sing, and tattoo, but my main love is photography. It found me.
My biggest flex is that without anybody teaching me I managed to grow and learn on my own, and I turned my passion into a job! My skills make me money.
What sets me apart from my counterparts in the area is I feel I have my own style and look to my pictures. While not everything I shoot is gold, at least I don’t have to rely on pre-sets and filters to make my work look good, ya know?
I honestly hate that with the onset of pre-sets and now A.I. it is easier for anyone with a camera to look like they know what they are doing. Not to mention how it makes everyone’s work all look the same!
My thing is, if you have to have a computer fix and adjust everything for you, are you really doing the work?
If you don’t know how to get the feeling and shot right in the camera are you really good at what you do?
I shoot from my heart and soul.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My biggest supporters have been my Nana, Mom, and my beautiful fiancé Kayla.
My Nana enjoyed looking at my flower photos and landscape shots. Sadly, she passed away a few years ago and it broke my heart,
Mom has always been supportive and always lends an ear to listen to my triumphs and failures.
My Kayla has been there almost since day one. She is my favorite subject to photograph, and she also helps me with our model’s hair and makeup. She is my heart and my world!
Then there are my few good friends who share and show love for my work on my various social media posts. They are the best!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jsingoodfellaphoto.com
- Instagram: J_sin_goodfella
- Facebook: Jason Lester
- LinkedIn: Jason Lester
