Meet Wesley Jow | Weddings, Families & Events Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wesley Jow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wesley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
One of the main reasons I started taking photos was because there was a need. Creativity is great and storytelling is even better, but attach these skills to real people with real needs in the world and there you have a service-based business idea.

Back in university, I was a huge fan of the music department and had many friends in that field. As it became time for them to have their junior and senior recitals (a very special moment for them), I realized that my friends didn’t have anyone to photograph them. I didn’t want them to miss this pivotal and potentially career-defining achievement in their lives, so I brought out my camera and started offering photos.

I didn’t realize it, but that would become the start of something that was just one tiny step in a long journey toward starting my photography business. I became known on campus for taking photos. Music recitals turned into portraits and events. After I graduated I started photographing families, engagements, and eventually weddings. I wasn’t all that skilled at first – it’s taken many failures and successes to find improvement. In the years that followed I learned how to serve people better and tell stories in a more beautiful way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of the most precious gifts in life is the family and relationships that we’re given. My favorite moments in photography are when I can connect with my clients authentically and get a glimpse into their lives and relationships. This is partly why my style is the way that it is- I love the crisp, timeless, light and airy look because it conveys joy and beauty. I love warm tones because it’s like a warm hug. 😉 Anytime I have a couple or a family, I love playing on their little moments of interaction with each other – even having them forget that the camera is there. People are their most authentic, natural selves when they feel comfortable and are with the ones that they love.

It was hard at first, and there’s always challenges along the way. Especially as an introvert – I struggled often with either being too timid without much control of the situation, or swinging the opposite way and being flustered and rushing through things out of nervousness. But there is hope for introverts – even in such a fast-paced, relational environment. 😉 Helpful advice given to me that I’d pass along to anyone would be to just slow down, communicate well, and deeper than that to relate well. Every client is more than just a client- they are a person to have a relationship with, a person with an incredible story to tell or a budding relationship with moments to celebrate and preserve.

When people book me, I hope that they would know and feel that they are well cared for. That I would create an experience of excellence, kindness, hospitality, and creativity. I hope that they would feel so warmly welcomed that they invite me into their lives, and with our time together we could tell their beautiful, amazing, crazy awesome story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I recently discovered this amazing Japanese restaurant called Furaibo in LA. It’s actually in the middle of Sawtelle Japantown (not to be confused with Little Tokyo), which features nearly two dozen Japanese restaurants and dessert spots. After Furaibo my friends and I have a tradition of walking down to SomiSomi for some fried taiyaki and soft serve. If you can swing it, one my all-time favorite views is Griffith Observatory from sunset to night. Seeing the city scape is beautiful – grab some portrait shots with a friend during sunset, then watch the lights turn on like a million dazzling stars twinkling right at you. Just a few minutes away from Griffith is another one of my favorite restaurants called Susuru Ramen. Give it a go!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
An event that was pivotal in my growth as a photographer was joining an internship at a wedding studio when I was still learning the basics. Albert Halim, founder of Toviah Studios, helped me to see the level of excellence that it takes to work in our industry. He showed me not only the basic skills of crafting light/composition/posing/editing, but took me beyond to even the mindset that it takes to do well. He also taught me the power of using narrative in story-telling, taking the creative craft to the next level. Finding a mentor in your field is hands down one of the best things you can do to exponentially grow your skill.

Website: https://wesleyjow.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wesleyjow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/WesleyJowPhotography