May 16, 2017

Meet Jared Powell of Jared Powell Photography in Lakeview East

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Powell.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jared. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I first got interested in photography, it was more of a hobby. I just wanted to take better photos, so I bought a DSLR and started learning. I began photographing things around my neighborhood and annoying my wife by making her pose for me. I didn’t know anything about settings, composition, lighting, etc., so I eventually decided to take a photography course that really drove my interest further. I still didn’t really see photography as a career option, but I absolutely loved everything about it and knew how to at least control the look and feel of my images. I still remember, on the last day of class, my professor pulled me aside after everyone left and he told me that I really had a talent and that I should stick with it. I’ll never forget that.

Eventually I started getting oddball gigs every now and then, so my curiosity about the business side of things grew. I was still a little skeptical though. I wasn’t quite ready to make the leap to become a professional photographer. I continued working, going to school and shooting every chance I got. As time went by and my passion kept growing, so did my business. I eventually got too busy to juggle everything so I knew I had to drop something and it wasn’t going to be photography. The day job had to go.

In the beginning, I was shooting anything and everything that would come my way whether it was weddings, portraits, events, etc. I eventually got asked to shoot a couple real estate listings and that’s where my passion for architecture photography came from. I currently shoot architecture every day. I am mostly focused on homes in Chicago, but I also have photographed many businesses around the US and even Canada. I work with interior designers, Realtors, developers, homeowners, and local businesses to capture the look and feel of different spaces. I continue to push myself to learn new things and grow my business every single day.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Of course, there were times when money was a little tight and the jobs weren’t coming in, and I would wonder if I made the right decision to become a photographer. Those are the times that really pushed me to succeed though. Without those struggles, I would not be where I am today. Business has been great lately, but it’s definitely not a walk in the park. There are days when I finish late and then wake up at 4am in order to meet deadlines. Sometimes it’s hard to separate my work life and my personal life, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Please tell us about Jared Powell Photography.
As a photographer, I specialize in architecture. I create inviting imagery that evokes emotion in the viewer to draw them into the space. I photograph a lot of homes, offices, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. I work side by side with my clients to get them the images that they need to accomplish their goal. That could mean hauling furniture around, climbing ladders to fix curtains, decluttering, or even simply waiting for the sun to set to get the right light and glow for the photo. Whatever it takes to get the shot. I make sure my clients are satisfied from start to finish.

When people ask me what sets me apart from others, I simply tell them that “I’m me”. My clients don’t only work with me because I deliver quality work every time. There are many great photographers that they could choose from. With me, they know that I am willing to collaborate with them and listen to their needs while still bringing my own style, opinion and artistic ability to the table. I get to know my clients and their expectations, and they know and trust me to get the job done. They are comfortable hiring me for every project because they know that I deliver for them every time.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t know if I would have done much differently if I had to start over, because every mistake I made was a way to learn something new and grow from that. I guess if I had to change something, I would have taken some business classes. The photography came naturally in the beginning. The business side of things took a lot more work for me and I could have used a little help along the way.

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