Daily Inspiration: Meet Jamin Escudero-Zafra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamin Escudero-Zafra.

Hi Jamin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Originally I wanted to become a drummer, 12-String guitar player, play in a Mexican group, and become an internet sensation. In 2018, I went through a very difficult time emotionally, mentally, and physically. Then reality struck like lightning during the Summer of 2019. My music career lasted about 2 years. I realized that there were limits that I was not prepared to pass. In an effort to reconcile with my failure as a musician I tried my best to find another answer to my idea of success. That’s when my oldest brother, who is also a photographer, told me about his friend who was selling a camera. I said, “Why not give photography a shot?”

I started to take my camera everywhere with me. It was a Canon 60D with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I snuck it in at sporting events, concerts, and school. Eventually, I caught the interest of a school administrator who referred me to an internship Communications position with the school-district. I became a part of a 10+ person team where we covered many stories and events throughout the community. In January of 2020, I got an invite from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco to participate in their Pre-College Art Experience Program(PCAE). For 3 months I attended this program where I mastered the basic and intermediate knowledge required to move forward with a career in the arts. Then COVID-19 shut everything down. I must have spent well over hundreds of hours on YouTube learning how to perfect a picture. I had absolutely nothing else to do, so I went on leisurely walks in my hometown, Gilroy, CA. These walks were so special to me because it felt like I was the only person in existence and my only job was to capture all those moments, the stillness, the nature, the peacefulness. In my early teenage years I did not have a therapist and so photography became my way of coping with my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes it felt like an escape from reality. Thanks to photography I began to see life with such appreciation, and my perspective on whether we evolved or were created became ever so clear.

In 2022, I applied for school in Boston where I wanted to continue my pursuit of success in a field that I had excelled at. When I moved to Boston my photographic work really got noticed by top brands, artists, and media publications. Since then I have tried to refine my work as an artist by becoming more personal with my photography. I have had the privilege to take pictures for some really big names such as Noah Kahan, Dayglow, Bruno Major, Berklee College of Music, University of Massachusetts Boston, and Northeastern University. The road of my journey has been incredibly turbulent, but as I look back I am so proud of the hard work I put in to achieve my goals.

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?
Definitely Turbulent. The biggest struggle I had to overcome was myself. The most defining aspect of my life is my Pursuit of success. It is a constant trial and error. I grew up in a family that has hardworking values. So as a kid I could not watch cartoons all day because my father would take me to work or my mother would take me preaching. I was constantly stuck in between two worlds, one spiritual, and one fantasy. I had to switch my way of thinking from all negative things to more positive ones.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Officially, I consider myself a media specialist. However, my work is heavily emphasized in editorial portraits whether that is for a magazine, an album cover, or a wedding. Most of my work revolves around music because it is such a central part of my life. I am proud to say that I have photographed every single one of my favorite musicians except The Lumineers. In fact, I got the media pass to take pictures for them in 2022, but I made the huge mistake of taking care of a friend’s dog that week. I laugh about it now. In total, as an official photographer, I have taken pictures of 30+ concerts at famous venues like MGM Music Hall at Fenway, The Roadrunner, Paradise Rock Club, Brighton Music Hall, The Sinclair, and Big Night Live. What sets me apart from most photographers is that I steer clear from reality. The name of my photography brand is “VIBRANTVIZUALS” and so it is implied that my photographs are visually vibrant. In a world where every decision we make has a consequence, I take pictures so that every memory becomes a dream come true. I know that my pursuit of success will end once I have captured that quintessential moment in my life.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Artificial intelligence has become such a controversial topic, and coming from an artist I do believe that there is a huge threat looming over the future of photography. However, AI has become integrated into our workflow so I cannot deny its positive results. Speaking for many photographers we feel devastated about the rise in prices for SD cards or external SSD drives. What once cost $200 now costs $600. With more photographers joining the industry the quality in photography has been on a decline. It is a very minimal decline, but eventually consumers will be dissatisfied at the rising prices for lower quality images. I hope that this does not become a lingering issue.

Pricing:

• – Student Pricing ($150-$500)
• – Weddings ($2000-5000)
• – Sporting Events ($500-$1500)
• – Portraits ($300-$1000)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vibrantvizuals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibrantvizuals/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaminescudero