Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Cabral.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was drawn towards the genre and culture of hip-hop when I was in middle school. I grew up very sheltered music-wise and was exposed to artists’ such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean when I would go over to my friend Harris’s house in 6th grade. I would spend the night on weekends and we would play basketball all day and browse Datpiff.com at night and listen to a new mixtape everyday. We would touch The Dedication series, the Cabin Fever trilogy, Acid Rap, and the Dreamchasers pack all within one night. I began to obsess over the culture and would watch documentaries every night and study the super producers such as Pharrell. I immediately wanted to make my own music and put it out, which I did all throughout high school. I will save you the trouble and hide the rest of that story for now but I quickly found out that the visual side of creating art was where I thrived. Once I began school at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, I decided Audio Production was not for me but still wanted to create in this new industry that I call home. I downloaded Photoshop one day my freshman year while in the dorm and began to learn the in’s + outs of the software. I would create concept art for albums releasing soon and post them on social media in hopes to gain attention of the artist. It began to work and artists like Lil Yatchy, Ty Dolla $ign, 6lack, and the Migos were all retweeting and reshaping my art. I began to grow a following this way. I would try to collaborate with other designers in an attempt to just learn new features hidden in photoshop, one of my biggest inspirations has slowly become a good friend and constant collaborator, @gvminis, I owe a lot to him. Eventually, concepts turned into placements and by the end of 2019 I have designed cover art for Moneybagg Yo, Yo Gotti, 42Dugg, BlocboyJB, and many other artists that I grew up looking up to and watching them grow. Once the pandemic hit, I wanted to express my creativity through a new medium. With help from two close friends, Trusiifuu + ECNARC, I was able to dive into the world of photography and within the first 6 months I will have photographed Zaytoven, Tay Keith, RealRed, $avvy, MOE, Clay “The Perry” Crucial, Mike Floss, and many other notable people in the industry. I wouldn’t be at the spot I am without my dear friends $avvy, the dadabase, A.G. Sully, Trusiifuu, Gigi, Omar, and my mother.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been easy. I’m not going to lie and say I had some dramatic childhood or some trauma. My parents were very loving and accepting of whatever I choose to do in this life, which I am forever grateful for. Although I have had internal struggles with myself, finding where I fit in within everyone that I surround myself with. Establishing a sense of self and balance has been hard for me, although establishing a brand to back my artistry was one of the best decisions I have made. I am slowly trying to learn how to be a human while also trying to work at 100MPH, 24/7, which is impossible to do and not expect a burnout.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As of now, I am a freelance creative director specializing in photography, graphic design, and merchandise designer. I strive in creating a feeling when it comes to photography. As I branch out from digital, I am trying to be more intentional when it comes to each shot. I enjoy portrait photography the most as it captures raw and pure emotion in front of the lens. I would say I am most proud of the ability to have a platform where I can either elevate my friends or connect others to create art. I believe my work ethic and my where I draw inspiration from sets me apart from others.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I tend to not believe in luck. I believe that anything that comes my way is a direct result of my hard work or from my lack of it. Maybe that’s because I really don’t think anything lucky has ever happened to me but I do know that the plan that I have for myself will become my reality, no matter what, perhaps that’s just luck in itself.
Pricing:
- 75.00 Shoot – 1 Hour, Includes Edits
Contact Info:
- Email: 303jac@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/303jac/
Image Credits:
Photo of 303JAC by @trusiifuu. Other 6 images by @303JAC.
