Meet Jabari Jacobs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jabari Jacobs.

Jabari, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got my start in photography from working in music. I was working with a recording artist as a music producer; we needed photos for their album and couldn’t afford a photographer. My older brother was a music video director and he had a camera that I borrowed to create the photographs myself. I had no prior knowledge or history of working with cameras. I learned photography online + trial & error. I started to photograph people more, using Tumblr as my main outlet to share my images. I eventually got the attention of an Art Director at Atlantic Records, who gave me my first job of photographing Twenty-one Pilots for their album, “Blurryface”.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. I am self-taught and I’ve never had a mentor or even assisted a photographer. A lot of the ins & outs of photography I was late to understand. I also never planned to be a photographer so a lot of steps, I simply ignored. I am also a very laidback person. I would call myself an introvert. A big part of being a successful photographer is networking and making connections with people. I just want to create art, but I soon learned I would have to get out of my shell a bit to make connections with people. Relationships mean a lot.

What else should our readers know?
I am a music, fashion & portrait photographer. I am known for my colorful, high key style of photographing people.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very much into music. I made music with friends so I have always been a creative person; I just didn’t happen to pick up a camera until later in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jabarijacobs.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jabarijacobs
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jabarijacobs

Image Credit:
All photos by Jabari Jacobs

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