Exploring Life & Business with Julian Schmelzer of JTS Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Schmelzer.

Julian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with a simple curiosity about the world around me. From a young age, I was drawn to art in all its forms; film, painting, music, photography, etc. I’ve been telling stories through art for as long as I can remember.

Film became my first true creative home. I began making short films in middle school and carried that passion through college, eventually earning a degree in Film and Television from the Savannah College of Art and Design. But after four years of art school, something unexpected happened, I lost my passion. I struggled to find inspiration in my surroundings and in myself. Losing the thing I had always relied on was frightening, and for the first time, I wasn’t sure what came next.

After graduation, I spent some time living with my parents before making a spontaneous decision to move to San Diego with no job, no plan, and nothing lined up. A few months later, I found myself working at a photography studio, and slowly, my passion returned. Working alongside an incredible mentor reminded me why I fell in love with creating in the first place.

Today, I live in Boulder and run my own business, JTS Photography. What once felt lost has become the foundation of my creative journey. My work is shaped by curiosity, risk, and the belief that art doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be honest.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any creative pursuit, my journey as a photographer has been shaped by both challenges and triumphs. There have been moments of self-doubt, like when a photograph didn’t turn out as I envisioned, or when I struggled to create something new and meaningful. Yet those challenges only deepened my determination to grow. Each success strengthened my passion and drive, and despite the obstacles I face every day, there is nothing else I would rather be doing.

Through the years and all the obstacles, the most important thing I’ve learned is that there will always be someone who doesn’t see the value in what you create. I’ve encountered my fair share of people who simply don’t like my work, and over time I’ve realized that I don’t need them to. What matters most is that I believe in my art.

It can be difficult to stay connected to your passion when it’s constantly met with critique or comparison, but the truth is that everyone has their own perspective on what is “good” or “bad.” Something that feels meaningless to one person can be deeply moving to another, and that’s the beauty of art. That understanding is what keeps my passion alive.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about JTS Photography?
My photography focuses on families, engagements, maternity, musicians, and senior portraits, but what sets my photography business apart is the intention behind every image I create. I don’t just take photographs, I focus on telling honest, meaningful stories. I take the time to understand the people, moments, and emotions I’m capturing, so the final images feel personal rather than posed or generic.

My work is rooted in authenticity. I aim to create images that feel real, timeless, and emotionally true, whether I’m documenting a fleeting moment or crafting a carefully composed shot. Every client experience is approached with care, patience, and creativity, because I believe the process matters just as much as the final photograph.

In a world saturated with images, my goal is to create photographs that are felt, not just seen, images that people can return to and connect with for years to come.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In my opinion, taking risks is essential to being an artist. Growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable or repeating what already works, it comes from experimenting, pushing boundaries, and most importantly, failing. Some of my most meaningful work has come from moments when I wasn’t sure how something would turn out, but trusted my instincts anyway.

Taking risks means being vulnerable. It means putting your work out into the world knowing it won’t resonate with everyone, and accepting that as part of the process. Without that openness and willingness to fail, art starts to lose what makes it special. For me, risk is where creativity stays alive, where passion is renewed, and where my work truly becomes my own.

Pricing:

• Pricing on website!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.juliantschmelzer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jts___photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CR3U9LHib/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-schmelzer/

Image Credits
All credits to JTS Photography