Life & Work with Jordan Gresham of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Gresham

Hi Jordan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It’s funny—looking back, I’ve always been drawn to the arts. As a kid, art class was my favorite, and I loved bringing creative projects to life. But photography didn’t really enter the picture until I discovered the internet and social media. I got my first point-and-shoot digital camera just so I could upload photos to MySpace, capturing moments with friends and everyday life. Then, I started noticing the kinds of images I saw on TV and in magazines and thought, How do they do that?

One trend that fascinated me was the effect where everything was black and white except for one object in color. At 15, I downloaded Photoshop and spent hours trying to recreate it, experimenting with photos and turning them into pieces of art. I was hooked. After school, I’d come home and lose myself in photography, shooting anything I could just to manipulate and refine my style.

After high school, life got busy, and photography took a backseat for a while. But shortly after college, I picked up my camera again—and it was like falling in love all over. This time, I started asking friends to be my subjects, experimenting with different looks, and sharing my work online. That’s when people really started noticing.

Then, a mutual friend asked me to photograph their wedding. I was honored—but intimidated. I had always told myself I’d never do weddings because they were such big, once-in-a-lifetime moments. There’s no redo. But I also believe growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, so I said yes. That first wedding changed everything.

From that moment on, I wanted to keep going. I saw the way other artists in the industry captured their couples—not just how they looked, but how they felt—and I wanted to do the same. That’s the journey I’m still on today. Every wedding, every couple, every moment reminds me why I love what I do. And I’m proud of how far I’ve come, always striving to grow and create something even more meaningful.

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?
The road hasn’t been smooth. There were times—especially during the pandemic—when I seriously thought about walking away. I was burned out, caught in the trap of trying to make my work look like everyone else’s instead of creating the kind of art that made me happy—the art that my clients hired me for in the first place. By 2022, I knew I needed to take a step back and focus on my mental health. But no matter how much I tried to distance myself, I kept gravitating back to the camera. Photography wasn’t something I could just let go of. So, I eased my way back in—starting with personal projects, experimenting with film, and rediscovering the joy of creating just for myself. Looking back, those moments were pivotal in reigniting my passion.

Beyond the creative side, running a business is hard. In 2024, I hit a rough patch where I kept hearing “no” from potential clients, and it was incredibly discouraging. I started questioning everything. But that challenge forced me to shift my perspective—I stopped thinking of my business just as a passion and started treating it like a business. I invested in resources to help me attract the right clients—the ones who truly valued my work. And that shift made all the difference. It brought back the excitement and reminded me why I started in the first place.

I won’t say there aren’t still struggles—there always will be. But now, instead of letting them defeat me, I use them as fuel. I’m constantly brainstorming new ways to stand out, to bring more value to the couples I serve, and to evolve while staying true to myself. And that, to me, is what keeps this journey worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a wedding photographer specializing in fine art imagery—blending elegance, vibrancy, and timeless storytelling. My goal is to create photos that feel both elevated and deeply personal, capturing not just how a moment looks but how it feels.

One of the things I’m most passionate about is diversity. I want couples from all backgrounds to feel seen, valued, and confident that they can trust me with their story. More than anything, I want my images to reflect who they truly are—inside and out. As cheesy as it sounds, that’s my ultimate mission.

What makes me most proud is how far this journey has come. It all started with friends who trusted me with their memories, and now, complete strangers find me, connect with my work, and turn into friends. That’s what sets this apart for me—it’s not just about photos; it’s about relationships, trust, and creating something that lasts far beyond the wedding day.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is to refine your style. It will naturally evolve over time, but from the beginning, focus on what you want to be known for—how you want your work to look and feel. The clearer your vision, the easier it will be to attract the right clients.

Next, shadow and assist as much as possible. There’s so much to learn by working alongside other photographers, and honestly, I’m never above assisting at a wedding—even now—because every experience teaches me something new that I can apply to my own work.

And most importantly, build genuine connections. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the “top” of the industry, but the best relationships I’ve made have been with other photographers. If it weren’t for their guidance and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Lastly, don’t feel like you have to follow every piece of advice you hear. There are so many voices in this industry telling you to do things a certain way. For the longest time, I took it all to heart, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to question things. It’s okay to take what resonates and leave the rest. At the end of the day, the best path is the one that feels right for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jordangresham.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jordankgresham
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordankgresham