The Online Shop
Flashback to Early 2011. I was working as a freelancer, as I have since 2007 (except for 9 long months when I got a 9-5 job). I had gotten an email through an eCommerce platform that I was currently building online shops for called Storenvy. It was from a photographer named Jeremy that I hadn’t yet heard of…Quite honestly, I hadn’t heard of him, solely, because I wasn’t in the photography community at the time.
Browsing Jeremy’s Site
I did my typical thing…I read through the project brief, then clicked over to find the existing website which needed to be matched to a new online store. “Alright – Let’s see what this Jeremy Cowart guy is all about”, I said.
Initially, I was amazed at the endless scroll of celebrity faces, tv show stills and so on that Jeremy had photographed.
But then, I was pulled in the opposite direction to his humanitarian work which tugged at my heartstrings and made me want to do more with my own creative work.
Then, again, my attention shifted towards this crazy, multilayered artwork, the likes of something I had never seen before. The artwork that caught my eye the most was a piece he titled “Portrait Of Christ” (see below). This is, in my opinion, the solid & hard-hitting piece of art that put Jeremy on the map for this type of work. In fact, I still have my early copy of this print and it’s one of my favorite possessions.
By this time, I had forgotten about the celebrities and seeing one of my favorite TV Shows, Prison Break, in his portfolio (read the book in regards to that show). I loved all of the heartfelt passion that I had seen in Jeremy’s humanitarian work and felt a true connection to it. I proceeded to click “follow” across all of Jeremy’s relevant social media accounts and was eager to see more of his daily life through those social networks.
See University and My New Camera…
When 2016 rolled around, I was starting to seek out new opportunities as a creative after being severely burned out with my current career path. I dared myself to pick up a camera again…Something I hadn’t done since high school when you could always find me and my permanent appendage in the form of a humble Kodak digital camera.
I knew right where to look for info when I got back into photography…Jeremy Cowart.
Even though I wasn’t aiming to take portraits (rather I would be doing product photography), I immediately enrolled in his online learning platform See University. For months I studied and focused on applying every bit of his knowledge, industry expertise, lighting tricks, and tips on how to actually use my new camera.
It’s a funny thing how relationships in this life work…
I built a simple online shop for Jeremy’s prints to be sold on back in 2011. From there, I followed his work intently, even though I knew nothing about photography for most of those years (and had no plans on picking up a camera myself). I then became softened to the idea of using my work for good causes. And, eventually, given Jeremy’s story of being a ‘design studio owner turned photographer’, I didn’t feel crazy for picking up a camera myself and trying to make it part of my career.
Now, here we sit in 2019, I’m a “working/professional” photographer and this book has been so incredibly timely for my life.
Jeremy Cowart I’m Possible Book Review
Having someone who is a bit further down the road than you to glean from is highly important…Even if it comes in the form of a nationally sold book. For me, “I’m Possible” has answered so many questions that I’ve had. It’s given me hope. Silenced a few of my fears. And it’s allowed me to not feel crazy for curtailing a “successful” business (my own design studio) to follow something I’m more passionate and driven for (photography, which you see a lot of here on my site).
To bring this whole “review” full circle I would say this:
If you are a working Creative or have ever had an idea, buy this book and read it cover to cover. I believe it is what will separate all of us from being pixel-pushers and shutter-fingers, and transform us into fulfilled artists who can change the world through our works.
What’s Next: Buy The Book | Learn more about Jeremy Cowart
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