Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Haverstick.
Hi Jon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thanks for having me!
I’m a working corporate/commercial photographer specializing in business portraiture, branding and lifestyle photography, product and architectural photography. I am also an FAA-certified drone pilot. If it’s marketing-oriented photography you need, I’m the guy to talk to.
In addition to my commercial work, I am one of a small cadre of photographers practicing the 1850’s-era tintype / wet plate collodion process — utilizing vintage large format cameras to create one-of-a-kind tangible photographs on glass or metal that will last as keepsakes for generations to come.
I am also a college photography, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere educator and recognized as an Adobe community professional.
Selected Client List
Mercedes-Benz, USA
Mercedes-Benz Hydrogen Fuel Cell Division
Avrek Law (superwomansuperlawyer)
BNI (Business Networking International)
Caldera Medical
Orange County District Attorney
Jennifer Adams Home
LCS Constructors
Orange County Rescue Mission
Visioneering Studios
Where Women Create
Wolf Pack Entertainment
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many photographers, I started out doing just about any type of photography that came my way: families, senior portraits, weddings, event photography, commercials, products… You name it. If you could take a photo of it, I probably did. After a time though, I realized that there were a few specific genres that I really enjoyed, and have since narrowed my niche to corporate/commercial (headshots, business portraits, branding/lifestyle), architectural (ground and aerial), product photography, and key art / set photography for the film industry.
One of the best things I’ve ever done for my business has been to invest my marketing budget wisely. I became a member of Business Networking International (BNI) (https://socalbni.com/en-US/index) shortly after opening my doors. Not only has it enabled me to grow my business through word-of-mouth referrals, but it has helped me tremendously to develop as a business person through the relationships I’ve formed and the mentorship I’ve received.
As any business owner would attest, the road to where I am today is marked with peaks and valleys. In the end, it’s always been in a great direction. Ultimately it took time to find my niche. But the photography I’m doing now is something that wakes me up in the middle of the night excited about ideas and plans that I can’t wait to pursue. It’s a great place to be in my career.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The marketing-oriented photography is fairly obvious. Folks who need custom, creative, artistic imagery for promotional purposes are my ideal clients. I love working with fellow creatives – especially web designers. I have clients who need websites, and web-designers have clients who need photography. A win-win for both of us.
As mentioned above, I am one of a relatively small number of photographers practicing the 1850s art of tintype (wet plate collodion) photography. One of the earliest forms of photography, this chemical-based Victorian-era process involves creating your own “film” on a glass or metal plate, exposing the image using large format vintage cameras, and developing immediately to create a tangible, physical photograph that will last for generations to come. It’s a fascinating process – part artist, part mad-scientist — and takes me back to my darkroom roots, where my passion for photography began.
Starting January 1, 2024, I am offering commissioned tintype / wet plate collodion portrait sessions—both in-studio and on location.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
No one ever got anywhere without taking chances in life. I’m fortunate in that I’m blessed with a wonderful, supportive family and surrounded by amazing friends, church family, and fellow creatives who are all on the same journey. I couldn’t ask for more.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jonhaverstickstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonhaverstickstudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-haverstick-60835836/
Image Credits
All images copyright Jon C. Haverstick.
