Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Sobel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jonathan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I was interested in a lot of activities. I suppose being a homeschooler has that effect. You often have to find ways to occupy your time and escape boredom. For myself, this took on the form of baseball, music, writing, and media. I was always playing around with cameras and even had the dreams of one day becoming a big-time Hollywood director. As I got older, I would join the media team at my local church and would learn a lot about the importance of framing a camera and what it means to be “behind the scenes.” Eventually, I began taking photos in my teenage years after I had a group of friends that were obsessed with going on adventures and grabbing a couple of shots. While some of us had film and DSLR cameras, I would tag along with my trusty iPhone and take photos with everyone else. We started in obscure and remote locations, places like hidden spots on lakes and even abandoned buildings. At that time, it was less about the quality photos and more about the experience.
As I got older, my love for media also grew and I planned to play baseball in college and study media production on a scholarship. However, I realized that sports on that level weren’t something I wanted to do, mostly because I wasn’t as passionate about it as I use to be. So I took a gap year and got a job at a grocery store while I figured out what my path was. Ultimately I chose to attend Dallas Baptist University. I am currently a senior student there and am studying Business/ Entrepreneurship. I chose to study Entrepreneurship because while I have always been artistic, I have also always been very strategic and practical. Building a business is where those two meet. You take the critical thinking required to construct a Balance sheet and combine it with the passion for the business and the creative thinking required for marketing. It was a perfect fit.
Though I had been doing photography for several years, it was always a hobby. But as with anything, the more you do it, the better you get. One day I realized that if you love something you do, why not make money doing it. over a period of time after this I began to pursue image creation and have found true joy In doing something I love, I then began to identify myself as not just “someone who takes photos” but as a photographer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life is a roller coaster, That’s for sure. There were many obstacles I have faced in my personal life. Heartbreak, the loss of several friends, and for a period of time struggling with depression. Now that I have been able to move past a lot of things and find peace, I realized that depression is something that I passionately help people I love to overcome because I understand what it’s like. I always explained it as seeing everything in black and white, the world loses its color and vibrancies, you no longer enjoy the things and hobbies that once made you smile and gave you energy. You are numb. During this time I put the camera down, and a lot of other things I loved to do. But as I found the strength within to better myself and heal, I was able to break the cycle of feeling unmotivated. I believe that most opposition in your life will try to rob you of your passion. I know I’m not the only one who has struggled in this way. To anyone who is experiencing what I did, I would say that it’s most important to love yourself. Because we value what we love. It’s a cliché, sure, but you must always fight to grow and to hold onto what you are passionate about.
Please tell us about your business.
I’m currently a senior at Dallas Baptist University. So when I’m not studying or sleeping, I’m working on projects that provide vitality to my passions. I’ve been solo thus far, but a friend and I are currently building a business plan for a partnership firm that will create images for business and personal use. We plan on launching this summer, but anyone interested in learning more or acquiring early booking discounts can find us on Instagram and Facebook @OakandSable.
We are a photography-based firm in the DFW area that specializes in images and content creation. When it comes to personal use photos, we cover everything from senior pictures, family, weddings, and much more. We focus on satisfying the customer’s desires and capturing those special moments. For businesses in need of images, we partner alongside the firms to customize content based on marketing research and the client’s needs. Creating content that will optimize their brand image and results, all while achieving this for low cost and high quality.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe that as cameras become better and more accessible due to technological advancements, the competition will continue to rise. This improvement in camera quality doesn’t just apply to professional use cameras, but even smartphones. On the one hand, this can cause turbulence for a photographer who does freelance work and even media businesses. It’s becoming easier and easier to get quality photos with the press of a button and a few simple edits. But I think the silver lining is that there will be a boost in the number of people who can appreciate the art of photography and become inspired to go out and shoot. After all, I got my start behind the screen of an iPhone.
Contact Info:
- Email: jonathansozo97@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sojonnyboy/
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