Meet Jocelyn Tran

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jocelyn Tran. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jocelyn, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I try to take a breath and find inspiration in everything. From an excerpt from a love poem to the sound of a stream trickling through the forest during a morning hike, I find myself getting inspired, and I’ll have moments where I envision a potential moment that could take place. Perhaps, that love poem mentions that feeling a person has waking up on a quiet Sunday morning with their favorite person, or maybe that gentle stream reminds me of how it feels to be really young and free again, and a photographic story is born in my mind from those moments. I also draw inspiration from the things that happen in my life, like the way it feels to wake up in the middle of the night and cuddle with my two-year-old son or having dinner with friends on a rooftop that oversees the city. I truly believe that part of creativity involves being quiet, being present, and really listening to what’s being said during those quiet moments. There’s always something there that will find you, if you remain open to being found.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a photographer based in Columbia, South Carolina who has a heart for adventure and magnifying the seemingly small moments, so people can see how big they truly are. My photography style consists of natural light and lifestyle, meaning I tend to utilize organic light that is available from nature, and lifestyle means I tend to document more candid moments and might occasionally guide my subjects while in front of my camera with prompts that produce more natural and honest moments.

While I’ve practiced photography for over a decade, my professional photography journey began in 2022, after the birth of my son, and at this time, I don’t have a single, particular niche. However, I do take photos of couples, motherhood, families, and branding/individuals, and I’m beginning to dive into intimate weddings and adventure elopements. I would describe my brand and my work as dreamy, warm, and romantic, with an occasional emphasis on nature and scenic backdrops that add to the stories that I’m trying to tell with my clients. I choose to create images that are dreamy and warm, because that’s how I feel a memory should be. When my clients look back at their photos, I want them to remember that particular moment as a beautiful dream that was a while ago but still creates a warm, familiar feeling when they see it in a photograph. I tend to edit with warmer hues and am a big fan of natural, earthy tones and neutrals.

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

I’d say the first skill would be receptiveness and being willing to listen and accept constructive criticism and guidance. When I launched my business, I was very unsure of myself and knew that there was still so much I needed to learn, so I invested in working with a mentor. I had followed this amazing photographer for a while on social media, and I realized she offered mentorships for other photographers, to help them grow their businesses and expand their creativity. She observed my initial portfolio, how I used my camera during a session, and so much more, and it was one of the best things I could have done as a photographer and as a business owner. It kept me from making so many missteps at the start of my photography career, because someone who was more knowledgeable and able to tell me the truth was there to guide me to a better place.

The ability to provide quality customer service, while being organized and providing clear communication is another skill that is super-important in my field. No one wants to be treated like they’re just another number or just another client. People search for a photographer, in hopes that this person can capture their story on camera. You can’t do that if you don’t show that you truly care about that person, really listen to what they’re telling you, and do your absolute best to make that person feel safe with you. Being yourself in front of a camera can be incredibly terrifying and intimidating, especially when the person taking your photo is somewhat of a stranger, so it’s vital that you provide clear details about your client’s photo session, are warm and open with your client, and share as many details and updates as you can. I find that personalization and building trust usually leads to your client feeling more free and more excited to be photographed, and your art is so much better.

Finally, calculated risk-taking can be scary but is usually necessary, and it leads to so much growth. I’m rarely one to get too comfortable with anything (especially my work), and I like to push my boundaries every once in a while. This allows me to meet new goals and teaches me things that I didn’t even know about myself. Taking a chance shows me that there’s so much more that I can do and that I can offer, if I just try. I am certainly a firm believer in taking leaps.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal clients are people who are open to making magic and trust the process. I will say that it’s also my job to ensure that my clients are comfortable enough with me to trust me, however, I love adventurous free spirits who are excited to live in the moment and brave enough to share their truths and their lives in front of my camera. As an artist, I’m personally not a huge fan of having my clients stand in front of the camera and smile and say “cheese” the entire time. I want people who can be honest and authentic and be willing to run along the edge beach, dip their toes in the river, and jump into the arms of their love on top of a tall mountain. People who aren’t ones to shy away from bold emotions, because I encourage them. Don’t be afraid to tell your significant other how you felt when you first met them, slow dance with them while you softly sing your song in their ear, and then bring them in for a passionate kiss. Those are those sweet moments that I want to help people capture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jocelyntranphotography.com
• Instagram: @jocelyntranphotography