Meet Jalen Oban

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jalen Oban. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jalen below.

Hi Jalen, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?

I’ve always believed that negativity from others is often a reflection of their own struggles, not mine. I try to tune out the noise and focus on what really matters—my growth, my passion, and the community I’m building through my work. If there’s constructive advice buried in the criticism, I take it to heart because I’m always looking to improve. But ultimately, I remind myself that I’m just getting started, and the journey is mine to shape.

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?

I was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, and grew up with a love for creativity and exploration. My first creative outlet was music—I was a jazz drummer. After graduating high school, I moved to Illinois to pursue a career near Chicago, which taught me discipline and how to express myself artistically. Over the past year and a half, that passion for creativity evolved into photography.

I moved to the Pacific Northwest in September of 2023 and it changed everything for me. Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Oregon, I found my calling as a photographer. My work emphasizes both the grand and the intimate, with a special focus on fine details that are often overlooked.

Today, I create YouTube vlogs and educational content, post weekly videos, and connect with an inspiring community on other social platforms. I’ve also started submitting my work to galleries like Blue Sky in Portland as I continue building my career. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m grateful for how far I’ve come—and even more excited for what’s next.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’d say the three most impactful things for me so far have been curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to learn.

Curiosity has been huge. It’s what drives me to explore new places, experiment with different techniques, and constantly push my creativity. For anyone starting out, I’d say follow what excites you and don’t be afraid to try things outside your comfort zone—you never know where it might lead.

Persistence has been just as important. Early on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged, especially when comparing yourself to others. But the key is to keep going, even when it feels like progress is slow. The small steps add up.

Lastly, being willing to learn has been crucial. I’m always watching tutorials, studying photographers I admire like Michael Shainblum, and seeking feedback to improve. For those starting their journey, I’d recommend staying humble and always looking for opportunities to grow—it makes all the difference.

I’m still early in my own journey, so I’m learning every day too. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and enjoy the process.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! I’m always open to collaborating with like-minded people who share a passion for creativity, storytelling, and adventure. Whether it’s fellow photographers, content creators, brands, or anyone in the creative space, I believe collaboration is a great way to learn, grow, and create something meaningful.

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