Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Louie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Before you ex out my page because of this terrible cliché, let me explain.
Growing up, I was described as the “quiet kid” because typically I just kept to myself. It wasn’t exactly how I wanted to be depicted, but I just wasn’t really sure how to fully express myself… until I discovered my creative side.
My creative journey started when I accidentally enrolled in a computer graphics class in high school (go figure). But this new subject of graphic design really was the catalyst for my artistry that ultimately gave me a thirst to learn even more — including my next stop of picking up photography and understanding the power of social media marketing at my first on-campus job at Rutgers Recreation. From this job at Rutgers, I expanded from recreation into the sports world. From Women’s Pro Soccer to the U.S. Golf Association to SNYtv, I learned as much as I could in order to set my career up. I’ve continued to explore the sports world, specifically women’s sports, as I try to build more stories and attract more attention to dozens of under-appreciated leagues.
Although I never thought I’d be in the position that I’m in today, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without this irreplaceable creativity. A picture to some may not mean a thousand words, but for me… those pictures gave that “quiet kid” a way to spread his voice.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road as uncertainty always dwells in my mind. Coming into an extremely competitive industry like sports, a self-taught designer/photographer most definitely will find challenges to establishing themselves. I’ve had to take tons of unpaid opportunities in order to build my portfolio and work long hours through weekends in order to make connections with industry professionals. Through different roles, I tried to learn as much as I possibly could and used that information to establish my own creative style that I could put into my own personal work.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My “business” represents that creative style that I developed through my past roles. Post-SNYtv, I continued freelancing with several companies within the industry in order to continue building my portfolio and network connections. Currently, I work with companies like Just Women’s Sports, a growing women’s sports media company, and Athletes Unlimited, a new type of sports league for women that is revolutionizing sports leagues. This work allows me to continue providing content for an industry that is often passed over by other industry professionals. Unlike those professionals, I am looking to help build women’s sports in order to give proper representation to under-appreciated and under-valued athletes.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Being located out on the East Coast, I feel that fans are more progressive around my area and have shown support for some of the more popular women’s sports athletes. There are a lot of opportunities to build your portfolio as a creative, as long as they’re open to working for little to no money at the start. There is a necessary grind for most creatives that has to happen in order to establish themselves within this truly competitive industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 21 Sherwood Lane
Old Bridge, NJ 08857 - Website: https://jonathan-louie.com/
- Phone: 7326096046
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlouie_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanLouie0912
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlouie_photo
Image Credit:
Jonathan Louie
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