Today we’d like to introduce you to John Zapata.
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began at the beginning of the pandemic. We were sent to work from home and had to stay home for 30 days to try and get everything under control. During that time, I received a promotion from Nikon on accessing their photography masterclasses for free for 30 days to try and encourage folks to stay home. I had a Nikon D5100 my dad gave to me to record interviews for my Media company, The Devil’s Mic. I had the camera for a few years but never had any interest in figuring out all of the buttons, settings, etc., because I didn’t really have the time or motivation to do so. But, when I received that email I figured I could watch the videos whilst working from home. I guess you can say I got paid to learn how to use my camera, lol.
I watched the videos with my camera in hand, shot random objects around the apartment using the techniques I learned from the lessons and started to get the hang of it. I began driving Uber Eats to make some extra cash on the side and decided to take my camera along with me to shoot while making deliveries around Austin, and from that point on I have been hooked. I started to see pictures differently. Before they were viewed as “just pictures” but now, to me, they are works of art. It is a moment in time that is still for eternity. A moment in time that can be perceived by the viewer however they please or at face value. And that leads us to where I am today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth but have found ways to work through the rough parts. The pandemic hit a lot of creatives hard but, I was able to find a way to practice my craft with driving Uber Eats. There are times where the drive to create is not there. Those times are tough because you tend to get drowned in your inner thoughts wondering, “Am I even good enough to pursue photography? Will people even like my work? Would I be better off not continuing to build what I have created?” But as I go back to look at the photos, I have made and seeing the progress from where I began. that gives me the motivation to keep going, to keep improving, and to strive to leave my mark in the world. The reassurance from family and friends always helps, too, but when you get compliments from your followers or people you do not know, that gives you the drive to continue, as well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do various styles of photography and like to consider myself a “John of all trades”, if you will, lol. I honestly don’t like to put myself in a box and label my work as any sort of specialty. It allows for me to be as creative as possible with whatever I view in my camera and with whatever I am feeling at that point in time. I am capable of shooting cars, food, product and branding/lifestyle, commercial, professional headshots, family and personal portraits, and graduation portraits.
I am most proud of the progress I have made over the last year and a half. Photography has given me a new outlet for my creativity and gives me something to work towards as far as a legacy I can leave behind for my children or even pass on to them.
What sets me apart from others is the work that I produce. As I stated above, I like to leave my creativity open and not box myself into a specific category. I photograph whatever comes to me and post accordingly. If I feel it, then I shoot and don’t force any shots. All of my photographs are intentional to tell a story rather than to just get content on my page and website. You will see a lot of that in the Street Photography section of my website.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
All I want to say is to strive for whatever makes you happy. Find a craft, hobby, or anything that can help you escape the real world and decompress. The world is in a crazy state right now and we can all use some time for ourselves to kick back and wind down. Don’t lose yourself, and always strive to do and be better than you were the day before.
Contact Info:
- Email: johnzapataphotography@outlook.com
- Website: https://www.johnzapataphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnzapataphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnzapataphoto
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnzapataphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13tmzKXImGTIXL-bjGdHWg
