Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasina Oliver.
Hi Jasina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a 26 years old photographer based in Victorville, CA! I was always interested in photography throughout high school. My school offered photography classes; however, I never registered to take any. Photography always stood in the back of my mind but for reason, I didn’t ever dip into it. After high school, I got heavily into makeup. My dream was to become a makeup artist on YouTube. I would spend hours doing makeup looks in the bathroom. Finally, when I got confident enough, I decided that now was the time to buy a good camera and become a YouTube star. After buying my camera, I took it out to a lake to break it in. I was taking pictures of anything and everything. I didn’t know anything about exposures, apertures, or composition, I just went with it. I remember coming home and being so proud of the shots I had gotten that day(they were very mid to say the least). And that’s when it sparked– my whole YouTube aspiration went down the drain and I knew I was going to become very passionate about photography. Not once did I use my camera for its original intention but I am so grateful for the path it led me to. I have now been doing photography for six years and have no plans on stopping any time soon.
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?
Just like with anything, obstacles will arise. For the most part, it has been a smooth ride. But, I remember when I had told my “friend” I was going to buy a camera, her response was, “why are you going to buy a camera if you don’t even know what you’re doing” Which that always stuck with me, I don’t know how else I would learn without one. I had a few negative comments about photography when I first started. When I enrolled in photo classes at my local college, my dad had told me I was “wasting my time”. Another time, a friend told me, “I just don’t see a drive for photography in you” but I am so glad I didn’t listen to anyone and continued my journey. I used their negativity as fuel and did what I had to do.
I am now here today doing an interview about my photography!! Crazy right!?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance photographer who specializes in Maternity photography. I do all sorts of different photoshoots from simple family photos, weddings, birthday parties, etc. but maternity is my favorite for sure. I am most proud of becoming exactly what I wanted to be. It is an insane feeling being able to get paid for your art, not everyone gets to say that. I am at a point where clients come to me because they WANT to work with me. That is satisfaction all in itself. What sets me apart from others is being ME. I don’t keep up with the heavy editing trends, I create photos that are timeless.
How do you think about luck?
I would definitely say this journey has been good luck. But then again, there really is no such thing. Your mindset is what you decide to focus on. You can sit around and wait for the “luck” to happen or make it happen. You can manifest as much as you’d like but you got to work just as hard. Your favorite photographer didn’t just wake up one day with photos they have never taken featured in Vogue magazine.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/Sinassnapshots
