Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaylen Poland.
Hi Jaylen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Photography for me is home. It’s not something I do, but instead is a part of who I am. Picking up a camera back in 2014, enabled me to tell MY story without words. Growing up in the Black community as a little Black boy, we’re not successfully taught to feel our emotions or address them for that matter. Getting older made me understand that I needed a release, being behind the camera is therapeutic and just that.
When I began taking clients in 2015/2016, I quickly fell in love again for the same reasons. Yes, I can always tell my story, but it means so much more to have someone come and ask for an hour of my time to tell their story. I love that in that time I can give my clients a space to be angry, happy, frustrated, sad, excited, nervous, etc. The list can go on and on, but all in all, I love what I do because I have the chance to step out of my world, listen to your story, and be trusted to portray YOUR story with MY vision. That’s a gratitude that keeps giving back every single photo shoot.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road itself has been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. I’ve had very high highs, and lows that have felt like the bottom. Struggles I’ve endured as a Photographer include: trying to find my own style, understanding photoshop, and its full capabilities, and keeping the creative juices flowing to continuously create projects outside of commission work.
Like many businesses, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned, I’ve grown, and I’ve progressed. It has not been the easiest road, but it has been one that is worth the struggles and frustration I may have to deal with sometimes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say my specialty is portraiture, and black and white. But I love my darker Art the most personally. The concepts I’ve had that force conversations or differences of opinion.
My mentor always told me, “Son the best art, creates emotion and conversation with people who thought they could not relate!” Now I agree to an extent. I look for photos that force one to give an actual opinion. The photos make one think or ponder my reasoning for capturing them.
What do you think about happiness?
Photography and my Art make me happy. Despite how extroverted I am behind the camera, once the camera is put down I’m very introverted. Outside of my field, my happiness comes from simplicity in my life since business and parenting keep my woman (Dina – ByDinaMichele) and me pretty busy.
In my free time, I’m usually spending time with family, play games online with friends, or enjoy downtime with Dina.
We travel and because she’s a photographer as well, we do that often. In my free time, we practice shooting with each other to continuously push for growth.
Overall my happiness comes from being able to do what I love to love and spend time with the people I love.
Pricing:
- $300 – Studio Photography Session
- $260 – Location Based Photography Session
- $180 – 30 Mins Session
- $1500 – Wedding Special
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jpolandmedia.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/jpvisuals__
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/jaydakid93
Image Credits
Jaylen Poland (JPVisuals LLC)
