Meet Steve Jackson | Portrait Photographer

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

Hi Steve, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I first started in my career I had the most time to do things like go to the gym, movies, cook dinner, and binge Netflix. Now time has passed I have bigger clients and the amount of work has increased to where I only get to choose maybe one or two things to do that’s not work related. I honestly feel we need breaks from work even if we love what we do. Could be a day off where you do absolutely nothing to recharge. I manage to make health a priority and fit in exercise usually once a day, def helps keep me sane.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a photographer I feel I’m one of a few who’s an actual swiss army knife of shooter. There isn’t much I haven’t shot and not much I haven’t shot in a professional setting. From food to weddings you name it I’ve probably shot it.

I got where I’m at by literally being willing to shoot anything. Had some not so ideal jobs but it conditioned me to who I am now. If I could do it again, I would look for more guidance though would save a lot of time because it sure was not easy at all.

Overcoming those challenges I really had to put the trust in my abilities and sharpen my skill sets at any opportunity and pray things would workout. Right when I had an urge to give up, there were many, something always came through for me.

Lessons I have learn, too many to list but I would say don’t sell yourself short or discount your work. Also work with other creatives and build a network for yourself. Good people around you will always help.

Well I always want the world to know I’m accepting all bookings but other than that I’m truly here to create. Haven’t stopped being an artist from since I was a child and I don’t see a day I will.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
During the week I try not to go out too much so they would just have to tag along with me. Tuesday would be a motorcycle meet up (Two Wheel Tuesday) where we have a drink and just hangout with other motorcycle enthusiast. Wednesday would be at a local pool hall and bar, I have weekly league matches. Thursday I would keep it local and go to Lover Rock or Bedvyne Brew. Friday maybe an afterwork party thrown by a friend Duclas. Saturday a brunch party at Woodland, can get pretty crazy. Then hit a block party or something outside with libations and music. Sunday if it’s the summer the block party in Bedstuy, can find almost everyone here through out the evening.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I probably would not be a photographer if I had never met my professor in undergrad, Michael B. Platt. At the time I was set on being a graphic designer and had zero interest in photography outside of the club photos I was taking to pay my bills. He definitely had a unique teaching style, often “class” was spent at his home studio with a few other students having a “few” glasses of wine, but I was pushed by his methods and started to take photography seriously and start my journey down this path. He passed a couple years ago so I never really got to show him major accomplishments in person but I’m sure he would be proud to see me now.

Website: https://stevejackson.photoshelter.com/index/G00000bReXhxbgHQ

Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeushutter

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-jackson1988

Image Credits
Steven Jackson