Who is La Sheera Lee?

Interview by King Brooks

When I first met Jason, it was in 2012 and I knew him as the bookstore manager and photographer for Victoria Christopher Murray. Then years later we attended the NAACP Image awards together and I watched him in his element shooting Black Hollywood on the Red Carpet.

King Brooks: Hi, Jason! How are you doing?

Jason Frost: Hi, King! Fine.

KB: Please give the readers a brief bio on you and your photography business?

JF: I’m an Army brat from Columbia, SC living in Bakersfield, CA. I’m a Jeep loving, book reading, steamed seafood junkie guy who loves to take pictures.

KB: How and why did you get into photography?

JF: My uncle from Charleston, SC gave me my first camera. I don’t even remember the name, but it was the one that you looked down into. I love capturing scenes and there’s something special about being able to “stop time” with my lens.

KB: What are the essential characteristics of a successful photographer?

JF: Practice. Shoot everything. Practice. Don’t let it become a job. Practice. Eat crab legs. And then practice some more.

KB: What equipment and tools are vital for you to have no matter where or what you are photographing?

JF: An iPad. A tripod.

KB: What editing software do you use for your finished photos?

JF: Photoshop. Lightroom. Snapseed. Enlight.

KB: How do you improve and develop your photography skills?

JF: Practice. I’m not kidding. PRACTICE. Get outside and shoot everything. Try different things with your photography and YouTube. YouTube has been invaluable to me and my learning of this craft.

KB: What details do you enjoy focusing on in your work?

JF: Making my landscape shots crisp and clear. Making my clients look sharp with a beautiful background. Capturing water in its many forms.

KB: What professional photographers have influenced your work?

JF: Can’t think of any.

KB: How do you handle clients who have an entirely different vision of what they want compared to what you think would look best?

JF: I don’t. I am HUGE into communication and I get everything sorted beforehand. If in our communication I find out that I’m not the best photographer for you, I will say so. If they have a vision that I can’t do or I don’t want to do I let them know that it’s best they find a photographer that can meet their needs. 99% of the time people appreciate me telling them that. I don’t take jobs just because the money is good. This is my art and I only want to show/give my best.

KB: What questions do you ask a client before a photo shoot to ensure you capture what they want?

JF: Location. How long do they want to shoot? Do they use iCloud Photo Library, Dropbox, or Google Drive. How soon do you need the pictures? Are we shooting inside or outside? Mary Ann or Ginger?

KB: Among all your work as a photographer, which is your favorite and why?

JF: Wow. That’s damn near impossible man!

KB: What work environment do you enjoy most as a photographer?

JF: Outside in Mother Nature. Hands down!