Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Sabillo.
Hi Jordan , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My creative journey started at VCU, where I discovered my passion for photography while studying Information Systems. I bought my first camera on my 20th birthday and started learning by photographing my friends and events hosted by a Filipino organization I was involved with in college. What started as a hobby quickly became something I wanted to pursue more seriously.
During college, I landed a job in the marketing department at VCU’s Student Commons, where I was able to continue developing my photography skills. That opportunity eventually led to me photographing a VCU basketball game, which sparked my love for sports photography and opened my eyes to the possibilities of photography as a career.
After graduating, finding a job in the Information Systems field was challenging, especially with the uncertainty of the pandemic. While searching for opportunities, I came across a job in real estate photography. Although it wasn’t exactly where I saw my creative career going, it gave me a chance to continue working with my camera while figuring out my next step. At the same time, I was determined to expand my skills and experience beyond real estate photography.
That led me to connect with All Pro Reels, a sports media company that gave me incredible opportunities to photograph professional sports, including the NBA, NFL, WNBA and MLB. Around the same time, I began exploring music and nightlife photography by connecting with media managers at different venues and building relationships within the industry. Those relationships eventually opened doors to photographing major festivals such as EDC Las Vegas and HARD Summer, while also allowing me to become a house photographer for venues like Echostage in Washington, D.C., and CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.
Since 2022, I’ve been working as a freelance photographer, continuing to push myself creatively and take on new opportunities across sports, music, entertainment and events. What started with a camera I bought on my 20th birthday has grown into a career that has allowed me to work with incredible people, travel, photograph some of the biggest events in the country, and, most importantly, continue growing as a creative.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say it has been both a smooth and challenging road. There have definitely been moments where things didn’t go the way I expected, but I’ve learned to appreciate the journey just as much as chasing the goals themselves. Every opportunity and challenge has taught me something that has helped me grow as a creative and as a professional.
I’ve had to learn how to properly network and build genuine relationships within the industry, become comfortable with different types of cameras and equipment, and understand how to adapt to different environments and situations. Photography has also taught me that you have to be willing to work late nights, long hours, and sometimes be ready at a moment’s notice. Events and live environments can change very quickly, so being adaptable and prepared is extremely important.
Ultimately, the road hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned to enjoy the process. There’s something rewarding about continuing to chase goals, taking on new challenges, and seeing how far I’ve come from when I first picked up a camera.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a freelance photographer, and my work primarily focuses on sports, music and live events. I currently work as a Senior Photographer for All Pro Reels, where I specialize in covering professional Washington, D.C.-area sports teams. I also travel to different states to photograph games and create content for social media and news usage.
Outside of sports, I work with concert venues and music organizations, where I photograph live music events and create visual content for social media, marketing and promotional purposes. During festival season, I also travel to major music festivals across the country to capture photo content for social media and future marketing campaigns.
What I’m most proud of is the opportunity to do things I once thought were impossible for me. When I first picked up a camera, I never imagined that it would eventually take me to professional sports, major music festivals and some of the biggest venues in the country. I’m especially grateful to the people, organizations and relationships that believed in me and gave me opportunities along the way. A lot of where I am today is because of those people opening doors for me, trusting my work and allowing me to continue growing.
More than any individual accomplishment, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and the fact that I’ve been able to turn something I was passionate about into a career.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the photography and creative industry continuing to grow rapidly. Social media and the internet have made photography and other creative skills more accessible than ever. There are so many resources, communities and platforms available today that allow people to learn, experiment and build their own careers without necessarily having to follow a traditional path.
I also see sports and music continuing to play a major role in the industry. Both have become such an important part of culture and entertainment, and I think their popularity will continue to create opportunities for photographers and other creatives. At the end of the day, sports and music have a unique ability to bring people together and create a sense of connection, and I think there will always be a demand for people who can capture and tell those stories visually.
I’m excited to see how technology continues to change the way we create and consume content, but I also believe that the human element of storytelling and creating genuine connections will remain just as important.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jordansabillo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordansabillo/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansabillo/
