My Photography Journey: How It All Began

Welcome to my first blog for my photography and design business! I wanted to start by sharing a little about myself and how my love for photography began.

I’ve been drawn to photography for as long as I can remember. Even back in the days of disposable cameras, I was the person who always took pictures of sunsets and clouds, eagerly waiting to get them developed. The excitement of capturing a moment and seeing it come to life in print never faded.

One of the most meaningful moments in my photography journey happened in 2013 when I visited my grandpa in Tennessee. During that visit, we talked about my love for nature, landscapes, and photography. Inspired by our conversation, he gifted me a massive box filled with old cameras—some with accordion-style lenses, others that required manual adjustments. It was like stepping into another time, seeing the cameras he had collected over the years. Shortly after that visit, he passed away, but I’ve always held onto that moment. It became a source of inspiration, reminding me to continue blending his passion for photography with my own.

Since then, I’ve taught myself photography through practice, trial and error, and pure love for the craft. I’m mostly drawn to nature, landscapes, and horses, but I’m also learning to love working with people through portrait photography. Building confidence in that area has been a journey, but I love capturing people in a way that makes them see their beauty through my lens.

Photography is about more than just taking pictures—it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling, a memory. It means the world to me when I visit a friend or family member’s home and see my work displayed. It’s a reminder of why I do this: to share my perspective, to preserve special moments, and to create something meaningful.

This is just the beginning of my journey, and I’m so excited to share more with you. In my next blog, I’ll talk about another lifelong passion of mine—horses—and how they’ve shaped my photography.

Thank you for being here!

Jesse Alvin Clemons

11/6/1930 - 11/5/2014