Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Tran.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Firstly, I want to thank you all for reading today and for the consideration to be in this spotlight. I never imagined being in a position as such, and that is due to those I’ve come in contact with and support me as an artist. Thank you for taking the time to read through and for learning more about me.
Photography has become a creative outlet for me. A form of therapy in a sense. I was always connected to the arts growing up, with a passion for drawing and music. Sports also played a large factor in my life as a teen and young adult, distancing me slightly from my love for arts. So when hoop dreams didn’t play out and some of my entrepreneurial ideas failed, I picked up photography as a hobby.
That hobby quickly grew into much more. I began to understand the depth and dynamics of photography and began to fall in love with the process of taking pictures. This was even more solidified when I realized the history of photography in my family and how they enjoyed documenting everything. My parents eventually passed down the same film camera that they used in the past and tied the whole thing together for me, full circle.
I began dedicating myself to pursuing something that felt right to me. Allowing art to guide me has truly been a blessing. Photography has led me to document large moments in history and the small intimate moments that people personally hold dearly. I am grateful for the journey and those that I work with on a daily basis.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a simple task. I do not have any prior training or education in arts or photography specifically. A lot of what I do is self-taught or built on intuition. This comes with countless hours of study, practice, and also PLENTY of failures. A lot of being a creative revolves around persistence and maybe a little stubbornness along the way. I had to learn to understand that my success and growth in this art form are completely self-dictated. My peers are not considered to be my competitors but more as those I can learn from. I revolve in my own world of creativity and focus my energy on properly channeling it into my work and learning processes.
I am personally very critical of my own work in an attempt to really curate my personal look and balance. I am still liable to make mistakes but I find a value in learning from mistakes and always attempting to do better with each opportunity. There isn’t a set standard for perfection, but I personally try to set the bar high and make ways to build and mold my own perfection.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer and videographer, specializing in portrait and lifestyle, but honestly enjoy making content of everything and anything. I am known mostly for my ability to capture special and intimate moments, or capture individuals in a light they might not see themselves in usually. My connection with my work is very emotional and involves a focus on feel and ambiance. This approach has led me to build intimate connections and a better creative understanding with those I come in contact with. I try my best to have my clients and peers understand that I’m trying not only to capture a great photo you can share but more importantly, I’m trying to catch these special split-second moments that can be cherished and held dearly forever.
I personally have a lot of gratitude for being a part of these moments in time and the people that I share them with. Especially with the world seemingly on pause for the past few years, it’s a great honor to be able to share time and space with others and to have the ability to photograph and save these human experiences from my perspective.
What matters most to you? Why?
My work is often deeply emotionally rooted. I find a lot of happiness in being able to pursue the arts as a career. A lot of what I try to show is my gratitude and empathy for the moments I’m able to share with others and the world around me. These experiences play a large role in my own personal growth, while providing me with a stage to create and capture those genuine moments in time. Of the billions of people in the world, I have the opportunity to individually connect with my clients and really give them a product that captures their spirit and that special moment. Everything that has been given to me since I started this career has been very natural and seemingly by fate. I don’t expect to become rich or famous for my photography but I really hope I am able to make a genuine impact through the work I create with those few people I meet in the world.
This same journey I am on now is one that I wish more kids, especially those in the inner city, are able to experience themselves. I constantly preach to younger generations about the number of options there are to be able to create their own narrative and story. The curious perspective and wide-eyed fascination with the world around them is slowly fading, when it should be embraced and even utilized as a means for revenue. This comes with education and guidance for those who don’t always see the route themselves, art honestly saves lives. It did for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: jontranphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonjontraan/
Image Credits
Eric Michael Ward
Quang Tran
Jonathan Tran
