We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jason Siemer. Check out our conversation below.
Jason, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I don’t think anyone would call my lifestyle “normal” haha but that’s why I love it. Basically, I’m always working on some sort of project, and often juggling multiple projects. At the same time, I’m always trying to promote my work to attract new clients and keep a steady stream of income throughout the year. In my down time, I’m usually online learning new photography skills, out on photo walks to stay creative and in shape, and formulating a plan for which part of the world I’m going to capture next!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jason Siemer, and I’m a videographer/producer/editor and photographer. Basically, I hustle to stay busy, creative, and keep the income flowing so I can remain an independent artist, which I’ve been doing for 17 years. I think one of the things that makes what I do interesting, is the variety of clients that I work with and projects that I work on. I shoot video for events at Georgetown University in DC, and have produced an array of content for Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. I also get hired by clients to shoot still photos for events, portraits, and interiors. In addition, I’m a concert photographer and have shot a vast number of national acts at many of the premier venues in the MD/DC area. When I’m not working, my passion is traveling and capturing the landscapes, and people of different cultures around the world.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Looking back, I remember standing on the pitcher’s mound at a little league game when I was 7 or 8 years old and feeling super-confident and powerful. Ironically, I was a small skinny kid but well respected on the baseball field because I was a very dedicated and hard working ball player. I used to eat, sleep, and breathe baseball and would practice in my yard every day. I feel like that gave me an edge in organized sports because of my relentless passion and work ethic. It didn’t matter what size I was physically, as I still had an edge over those who did not work as hard or practice as much.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Wow, I wasn’t prepared for this sort of question here! But ya know, maybe by answering this honestly I can help someone else down the road. Let’s just say I have been immersed in some toxic relationships and narcissistic abuse in my life which left my soul very empty for a long time. It’s one of those things where you go about your life wondering why you are so unhappy when you are told you have everything, and that doesn’t make sense, which makes you feel worse. I started seeing a therapist 27 years ago and slowly over the years things started to become clearer. At some point, I hit rock bottom in a couple romantic relationships with partners who I “thought” were my saviors, but instead opened all my childhood wounds and exploited them. It was the lowest time of my life, and I knew it was time to make some major changes so I took an even deeper dive to explore all the roots of my pain. Today, I can say those wounds have healed, and I now can spot red flags in people much sooner, and do not give access to those who I can tell are not good for me. Therapy and self-reflection taught me those skills and what to look for. I will forever be grateful for my therapist and my healing journey.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people are either the manipulators, or they are the ones getting manipulated because they haven’t done the work on themselves to realize it. I look back on who I was prior to therapy, and I’m often embarrassed because I shared some of the toxic traits of the people who I try to stay away from now. It makes me sad and full of regret and shame. BUT, I often remind myself that I PUT IN THE WORK to become a better person. For that, I am eternally grateful. I am also empathetic (with boundaries, of course) to others because I know from experience that you are born and raised as a product of your environment and not everyone realizes that, until they are willing to do the work to heal the wounds they project onto others.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do! No question. There was a time when I was locked into a full-time job and I was so depressed because I felt “trapped” because I wanted so badly to see the world, and didn’t know how I was going to make that happen. When I decided to go freelance 17 years ago, I took a leap of faith, had some people doubt me (which made it even more difficult because I was a people-pleaser), hit some hard financial bumps but made my way out of it through some strategic life changes. Moral of the story: If you REALLY want to, you CAN. And do NOT listen to other people when you have it in your heart to do something. It’s best to just make your move and trust the process. Everything will work out if you are driven and know yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jasonsiemerphotography.com
- Instagram: jason_siemer_photography
- Linkedin: Jason Siemer
- Facebook: Jasonsiemerphotography & Jason Siemer Productions
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/jasonsiemerproductions
Image Credits
All images Jason Siemer Photography
