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Meet Jason Batch

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Batch.

Jason, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
What got me to were I am. It all started when a friend of mine challenged herself to take a picture on her phone, write something inspiring, and post on social media for 30 days. I figured I’d try it too. Everyday on my walk to work, I would take a photo of something, edit it on snapseed (a phone editing app) and post it with my thoughts. I found myself looking forward to the whole process of finding something new to photograph and learning the different editing tools on the app. I would walk different routes, down alleys, etc. By the 30 day mark, I already was deep in my research on what entry-level DSLR camera I should by. I still remember how excited I was when the package showed up. Before even taking a photo, I watched a 30 minute YouTube video from a professional on how to set all the settings on this particular camera. Sure enough, this guy shot in (Manual setting). I remember driving down to the nearest park (it was May 5th and it just snowed the night before.) I pointed my camera with excitement and took my first shot AND… the screen was black.

So I moved some dials and tried again and THIS TIME… same thing. So, after a few more failures, I gave up and switched it to (Auto setting) and that was that. After more research and YouTube tutorials, I knew I could probably get better photos with my phone if I didn’t learn how to properly use my camera to its ability. To make a long story short, this started a fueled ambition of passion I didn’t know was in me. I rented Adobe lightroom and photoshop and would stay up till 2 am – 3 am and watch tutorial after tutorial on how to use my camera, different editing techniques, etc. I started doing self-portraits project in my apartment every week. Crazy things like taking images with multiple me’s in one photo. By doing this, I quickly learned the basics of photoshop and many more tools it has to offer. By this time, I had a lot of social media friends complimenting me on my posts and images. Soon people started asking if I would take images for them and how much I would charge for this and that. Up to this point, I never imagined making money from my photography. It was truly a growing passion of mine. That was my new hobby. After taking a few photos for some friends, my learning, passion, started flowing to where I made my own logo, started an LLC, and researched more on how this could become a reality. More and more snowballed up a hill and brought me to the level I am at today.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, it has been smooth. I’ve kept my day job through this journey and slowly learned and advanced my craft into my own style, and continue to learn the business side of it all. This gave me the opportunity to take it all in at a reasonable pace. With financial stability, the growing pains didn’t land me in the ditch with a flat tire. The tricky part was being at the crossroads of “I know I can create great images for you.” to “How do I get my work and message out to the world to get the work I desire.” Also, I’ve found that self-care is the most important part of the puzzle. When I’m mentally and physically at my best, that is when I’m most confident, creative, and know I am going to keep getting to the goals created for myself. When I get to busy to do the day-to-day things that keep me level at a consistent basis, I can be my worst critic. To get in the thought of false fears can be an easy way to self-sabotage.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in any photography that involves people: weddings, Branding/headshots, couples, families. I love catching candid life moments for people to look back at for a lifetime. If I’m in a situation where the light isn’t the best, I love the challenge of creating the right light with off-camera lighting to create beautiful images. Weddings are my favorite things to be apart of. From meeting the couple, going over their vision, and hearing their story. To the engagement session, wedding day, and delivery of the final images. It’s not just about the photography on that one day. It’s a long process of learning and, in some cases, being apart of the family. It’s funny because I had no desire to be a wedding photographer at all!

I remember the first time my friend asked me to be a second photographer for a wedding she was hired for. The butterflies were rambunctious that day, but I made it through. After second shooting a few more times, I realized this is the perfect scenario for what I love. As a candid eye, what better day can you ask for to showcase that. You have beautiful people, well dressed, epic backdrops, and a handful of other artistic creatives putting their touch on the whole day from florists, designers, hair/makeup artists, etc. And if that wasn’t enough, you have a flood of celebrating emotions and moments from joy, love, laughter, and tears. My candid radar is always on throughout the day, just waiting to witness and capture that next moment. I love it!

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Not sure if I would do anything different. From all of my life experiences, all the learning and molding of who I am was mostly developed from the hard experiences and failures. The key for me is to practice, practice, practice. To remember that there’s not a finish line to this journey. Always more things to learn and room to grow.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Photo of me taken by Kim Marquez Photography

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