Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Tseng.
Jared, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My photography journey formally started in college, but the love of photography was born in me from a young age. My mom was always assembling photo albums from pictures she had taken of the family, and I remember having my own film cameras that I would use on vacations as a kid. I loved the idea of documenting and remembering, and in many ways my journey into photography started more out of a longing to document instead of just wanting to take pretty pictures. I was an art major in college and spend hundreds of hours in the darkroom where I developed and printed my own film. I became obsessed with all thing’s photography, and after I graduated I started my photography business. I began with photographing weddings, which I did for almost a decade.
Wedding photography taught me so much, but perhaps the best thing it taught me was how to think quickly on my feet and to problem solve. Over the course of that time, It also helped me to slowly develop my style. A few years ago, I decided to pivot and have pursued family and portrait photography. What I love about portraits in many ways goes back to what drew me to photography in the first place. As a kid flipping through those albums that my mom put together, it was the moments, the love of family that drew me in and kept me engaged. Getting to help others experience that makes me feel like I’ve come full circle.
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?
Looking back, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I was a fresh grad with a camera, and I thought that the best way to earn a living as an art major was to become a photographer. The concept of being an entrepreneur or a business owner wasn’t even something that I considered. And so through endless trials and errors I have had to learn what it looks like to actually run a business – strangely enough they don’t teach you that in art school! 😉 In addition, I’ve had to learn how to juggle the many different hats that come as a business owner. As a company of one, you effectively are CEO, photographer, editor, customer service rep, bookkeeper, marketing strategist, to name a few. You have to quickly learn how to budget your time to get everything done!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a family and portrait photographer who specializes in creating finished artwork for the home. My goal is that the framed prints and albums that we create together will become family heirlooms that will be passed down through generations. I pride myself on not only the quality of products I provide but also on the experience that I give me clients! My photography is characterized by tightly composed imagery and golden light.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
More than luck, I believe in hard work. My dad always told me that if you are excellent in your craft, then the money will take care of itself. This is something that I have held onto from the very beginning! Something I also believe in, however, is strategy. This can include things like your network, your marketing, and your education. I have tried to invest in all of these in varying degrees over the years, and I believe that this has been a huge role in my business.
Contact Info:
- Email: jared@jaredtseng.com
- Website: www.jaredtseng.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jaredtsengphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/jaredtsengphotography
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