Meet Jeffrey Battle

 

We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey Battle recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jeffrey, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I overcome it by simply knowing that I belong regardless of what I’m feeling internally. If I wasn’t there, then that means I didn’t belong. I tell myself “This is my craft and I’m here to make magic.” Seeing other videographers and their gear and connections can initially make another videographers feel inadequate, especially if he’s not connected to others in the industry. What makes him stand out is his determination and drive to do the work. When I want to “do the work” I’m all in. I get lost, in a beneficial way. I get so invested into the work, I literally start to feel as if its a calling and responsibility to tell this story and that along is assurance for me to know that I belong.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Jeffrey Battle and I’m from Birmingham. AL. I grew up the youngest of only two and yes I was the only boy. In my younger years I was actively involved in music. After seeing my sister pick up piano and saxophone I wanted to play one as well. At first I picked up a trumpet and that didn’t go well so my middle school band director gave me a trombone and that became my baby. I’ve always knew how to hold a note. Both of my parents could sing so luckily I inherited that. I was in the church choir growing up but I decided to join my high school choir and to the date that was the best decision I had ever made. I continued to be a apart of those programs until I graduated from college.

I graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Communication: Radio/T.V. At that time I wanted to be on-air talent for entertainment news. I stared off as a production assistant at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, AL. until I got my first full time position as a Photographer at WAKA in Montgomery, AL. I realized I was having too much fun behind the camera so I decided to still remain as a photographer (photojournalist). I then moved to New Orleans, LA where I work at WDSU for 4 years and I truly lived in that city. I also stared to freelance and work for myself covering major events, Krewe balls and even made a few production videos for Stem NOLA. Im currently working at WVTM 13 here in my hometown. I still freelance on the side and as a matter of face: If you need head shots or a photographer for your next event, contact me through my IG page and I will get back in contact with you.

The reason why I love being a Photojournalist is because I get to visually bring the story to life. Mastering only using sound and video to tell a story is powerful because it gives the viewer an environment where they have to use their minds to narrate the story versus the reporter verbally guiding you.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Hmmmmmm….Three areas of knowledge I would say that were most impactful for me are: being a good listener, becoming detailed oriented almost to the point to where your senses are heightened, and understanding the art of perspective. Heavy on the last one.

The advice I would give someone is to be willing and open and most importantly don’t be afraid. In the field of journalism, especially when its being broadcasted to a mass audience: the people who are being highlighted or interviewed are bearing themselves to the world. They may resemble your friends, your enemies, or even someone you’ve never encountered. What’s most important out of this is that you are there to be a conduit and in order to do so you have to see things clearly. Leave any bias at home and meet them with a fresh mind and clear thoughts. Not only does it help build bridges of trust and understanding, but it provides clear avenues of understand. Besides, you may learn a few things you weren’t aware of along the way.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most important thing my parents did for me is kept it real and told my sister and I the world wont hold our hands. They showed us love and affection and nurtured us, but they did not coddle us and blind us from the truth of the world. My parents taught me and my sister street sense and how to handle your own affairs so no one handles it for you. That saved me from stagnant energies and stagnant people with ulterior motives.

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