Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonae Guest.
Hi Jonae, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jonae guest and I am a sports and portrait photographer. I’ve grown up in the DMV all my life. I never thought i had an artistic or creative side until Covid began. My dad is a photographer so we’ve talked about photography quite a bit throughout my young adult life and it never really interested me being a former basketball player. Then Covid hit and like everyone else in the world, I had a lot of time on my hands and a lot of time to think. I went out a bought a camera without a real plan and decided to see what would happen. I then began to take pictures of just landscapes and then when I met my mentor Patrick, I upgraded my camera and then it took off from there. I began to start shooting friends for practice and shooting pickup basketball games at my job just to get comfortable and basically teaching myself. I was shooting almost every day. At least 3-4 nights after work and on the weekends too just so I could feel comfortable and learn as much as I can.
As time when on I really got into shooting sports; specifically basketball. I would go to sporting events at my job on my own time and would meet with my mentor weekly and I believe that helped me with my work ethic now. From the beginning, I was committed to learning and I was committed to being a great photographer and I still have a long ways to go but I have really enjoyed the journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Pursuing your dream is never a smooth or easy ride, at least from my experience. I had to take a lot of risks which for me is just hard for me. I heard a lot of no’s which I know now is just part of the business, but in the beginning it can be really deflating hearing no repeatedly, especially when you’re first starting out and you’re trying to fine-tune your craft and some events do not allow outside photographers, it can be hard to get started. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. I learned a lot from those no’s and it has opened other doors for me that I didn’t see coming right away.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a sports and portrait photographer. As of lately, I have been shooting more sports than ever before. Sports has always been a part of my life ever since I was a child. I played soccer and basketball growing up and then ended up playing basketball collegiately. I started shooting landscapes when I began my photography journey because of being afraid of shooting subjects and not being ready for criticism. But then I was approached at my job to shoot a men’s basketball league and it took off from there. Shooting sports, specifically basketball reminded me how much I loved the sport and how much I enjoy being around it. I’ve then grown to love other sports since being exposed to them such as football, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and hockey. The most recent thing I am most proud of is shooting Athlete’s Unlimited basketball game in Dallas in early March. It was a huge opportunity for me that gave me access to meet and connect with other creatives and get a chance to meet some great female players along the way.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The one thing I like about my city is that there is always something to do. I live on the outside of Washington, D.C so I have a lot of access to different museums, restaurants and scenic views. That is why I am thankful for when I started my photography I was able to go out to different locations to be able to get comfortable with my camera and to hone in on my photography skills. With that being said because my city is so busy traffic is normally almost terrible. Places that take 20 minutes to get too without traffic can take up to an hour to get too with traffic so that is the only downfall.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jonae49.wixsite.com/jguestphotography
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jg24_photos
- Twitter: jonae44
Image Credits
Photos all taken by me. The selfie picture my mom and I! Pictures taken at Athletes Unlimited, Elevate Elite AAU team and Sidwell Friends high school
