Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Austin Jackson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Austin, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
As cliché as it sounds, it really is true that you know you’re doing something right when you have haters. As I’ve continued to grow my personal brand, I’ve really realized that it doesn’t matter what you do, there will always be people that are going to go against what you say or do. At the end of the day, I’ve really learned to use the haters as fuel to continue to motivate me to continue to work hard and show up every day.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My work spans a wide range of different disciplines, which I think is absolutely crucial if you want to be self-employed. Between selling prints at art shows, to working with brands, to YouTube, to in-person workshops, every day looks totally different. I love always having a new challenge that presents itself every day.
Ultimately, the end goal of everything I do is to help other photographers take better photos. This is especially evident on YouTube and at my in-person photography workshops, where we spend numerous days photographing some of the most beautiful areas. Not only do I help my clients capture portfolio worthy photos at these locations, but I also spend a lot of time helping them learn so that they can take better photos even after the workshop. And of course, each workshop includes photo editing, which is a huge part of the photography process.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Most importantly, I think that being disciplined is the most important quality you need to have if you want to work as any kind of small business or be self-employed. If you aren’t willing to work any hours, any day, and work until the job is done, self employment is not for you. If you’re just in it for the money and the idea of an “easy-job”, you will fail. The work needs to be fulfilling for you in order to help you stay disciplined.
Additionally, you need to have the ability to take a step back and understand when things aren’t working, and how to pivot. I’ve had to quickly adapt to changing industry trends and things that just don’t work. Knowing when to pivot is a skill that takes time to build, but is ultimately so important if you want to be self-employed.
Lastly, staying consistent is huge. Right now, I release one podcast episode a week, one YouTube video, and a sprinkling of other social media posts. Releasing these things on the same days at the same time builds trust with your audience, and they can become a true fan of yours much easier when they are anticipating the next release.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is really any photographer that wants to learn to take better photos. While photography is an art form and beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, I think that there is always room for improvement for all photographers. Even as I teach my clients, I continue to browse the internet for tutorials and guides in order to increase the amount of tools in my tool belt. People who are still hungry to learn are always the most excited and interested in the whole process, which is so incredibly fun for me to work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: austinjamesjackson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austin.james.jackson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinjamesjackson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCriqrppgdUbwL2YoE_e2nwg
