This is: Jesi Cason Photography
All images courtesy of Jesi Cason
Jesi Cason is the photographer that will help you take your commercial and personal branding to the next level. She is an expert at helping you communicate your message with diverse audiences, and make your public presence less boring! Jesi has such an amazing personality and high energy, she is an artist of her trade.
10 Questions with Jesi Cason, owner of Jesi Cason Photography.
1. Jesi, tell us a bit about yourself and your background. What brought you to SWFL?
Jesi: I got my first camera in 2008 and started taking photos as a hobbyist. Mostly I just wanted photos for my MySpace page, and pictures of my cats. I moved to SWFL in 2011 from my home state of Texas and started working for Goodwill SWFL, training individuals with disabilities to do various jobs in the community. My first real career was in disability support services and I did that for 8 years, running different programs including the Trailways Camp which is a recreational camping program for adults with disabilities.
I loved my job but along the way I had been practicing photography and getting better each year. I took a small business class offered by Goodwill called MicroEnterprise which taught me how to write a business plan. I launched my photo business in 2015 thanks to a low interest loan guaranteed through that program!
A couple years later, I got the opportunity to become a full time real estate photographer! I took the leap and left my job at Goodwill to photograph and edit houses...and was fired 3 months later! It was scary, but honestly, I hated shooting houses. I immediately got hired by a local photo studio that specializes in weddings and family portraits. This was a better fit for my skills but still not ultimately what I wanted to be doing. I learned a lot while running that studio, and one year ago I left to run Jesi Cason Photography full time!
2. Why did you choose photography?
J: I feel like photography chose me. I always figured I’d be working in non-profits for the rest of my life, but things just kept falling into place and here I am. Now that I am my own boss, I can’t imagine ever going back to working for someone else. Photography affords me the lifestyle and workstyle that best fits my needs - I am doing something different every day, I get to exercise my creative muscles, and I get to help people!
3. Whose work has influenced you the most?
J: I truly don’t have many influences as far as my style is concerned, but I learned a lot from lighting masters such as Lindsay Adler, Joe Edleman, and the whole crew at the Adorama YouTube channel!
4. What is personal brand photography? And who is it for?
J: Personal brand photography is a style of professional imagery that helps entrepreneurs, creative leaders, community influencers, and small business owners connect visually with their audience. Most people are familiar with the concept of a headshot, but personal brand photography is all about showing your clients who you really are and how you can solve their problems, relate to them, and inspire them. I specifically attract personal brand clients who are a bit...outside of the mainstream. A lot of artists and musicians come to me to create wild, epic photos that help them market themselves.
5. What can someone expect when they book a session with you?
J: Booking a session with me isn’t like booking with most photographers. I consider my clients collaborators. We work together to create photos that are on-brand, eye-popping, and totally unique to YOU. I have a whole toolkit of tricks to bring the creativity out of my clients so they will look and feel their most badass.
6. Of the services you offer, which one do you enjoy the most?
J: One thing I hear over and over again from my clients once they receive their photos is some variation of “Wow, you made me look cooler than I really am!” I love doing that for my clients - bringing out their inner cool person. No one feels cool in front of a camera, we all feel awkward and self-conscious. But with the right person behind the camera (me) you’ll look WAY cooler than you feel.
7. So far, which is the session you’ve had most fun with?
J: Oh that’s easy. My best friend, Spencer, is a multi-talented artist and this time last year we created some photos to promote his first album release. He is an “aggressively gay” rapper, his personality is amazing, and we did some weird, gross stuff on camera. It’s glorious! We are planning our next session and it will be weirder and grosser.
8. If someone is interested in learning photography, is there any beginner camera you recommend?
J: Whatever is cheapest. A lot of folks make the mistake of investing in something expensive right off the bat and then get overwhelmed, and ultimately give up. Start with your phone on “pro” mode if your phone has that feature. When you’re ready, invest in an inexpensive DSLR and a 50mm lens (if you’re wanting to shoot portraits). You’ll learn more about your camera’s setting, photo composition, and lighting on that camera than you will on a $2,500 professional camera.
9. What is your favorite place in SWFL?
J: Hands down - Nice Guys in Cape Coral! Best food, best atmosphere, best place to hang out, best people in the area. I met my boyfriend there, I learned how to shoot concerts in the worst possible lighting there, and I eat the General Tso’s Chicken pizza there every chance I get.
10. What inspires you daily?
J: I’m inspired by my spirit of self-competition. I don’t see any other photographer or creative person as a competitor - I see the Jesi of yesterday as my competitor and I want to beat her every single day. I want to be better tomorrow than I am today. Better at my art, better at my business, and better at being a member of this community. Whooping my own ass is totally inspiring!
You can listen to the full interview below. Follow us on our Gulfshore Local The Podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.
You can find Jesi Cason at the on her website: www.jesicason.com
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