A conversation with Jason Frost

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!

KB: I know you have worked with some amazing authors i.e., Victoria Christopher Murray and the late great Eric Jerome Dickey. Who is your dream subject? Why?

JF: Right now, my dream subject would be a ballerina who wants to do a photoshoot in water. Working with my dear friends Victoria and Eric has been a dream. Victoria has helped my photography get “out there”.

The first time was in 2016 when she won the NAACP Image award. I was honored to be there to capture that moment. The second was when the phenomenal book, ‘The Personal Librarian’ hit the shelf. She used one of the pictures I took of her as her BIO pic in the book. Forever grateful for that, but I also hope we’re just getting started.

I used to go to Eric’s book signings at Eso Wan books and take pictures. It was nice to capture the interaction between Eric and his readers. And he took time with EVERYONE. It’s bittersweet to look back at those pictures. Happy to have them, sad that there won’t be anymore. Miss him so much.

He also let me use his house for a couple of my #blackwomenread photoshoots. I could not believe I was actually shooting inside the house of THE Eric Jerome Dickey! Black art and literature were everywhere, and one time he even showed me his writing cave (area). I will never forget that.

KB: Tell the readers about your annual calendar?

JF: My calendar photos are the “best of the best” shots I’ve gotten that year. It has the images I love capturing; abandoned buildings, water, Mother Nature, flowers, and the abstract.

KB: How can readers get in touch with you?

JF: Email or iMessage: jasonfrostphoto@gmail.com

KB: When this life is over, how do you want the people to remember you?

JF: I just want to be known as a decent person.

I love wine! So anytime I’m able to visit a winery I go. For my birthday this year, my sister and mother took me to City Scape Winery in Pelzer, South Carolina.

It’s a small town about forty five minutes from where I live. Out in the country is a beautiful scenery. It’s a field of greenery where the grapes are growing.

The atmosphere was very nice and the wine was delicious. My choice of the best wine that we tasted was the coffee delight. It’s served in a skinny bottle that’s not only mixed with wine but a portion of. alcohol with coffee flavor. It is very good.

The cheese board had a wide selection of different meats and breads with jellies. I highly recommend visiting this place of City Scape Winery if you are a wine fanatic such as I.

#tastefultipsandtrips #focusforwardwithrobin #andersonsc #rainesonmain #foodblogger #bloggerlifestyle

Tasteful Tips & Trips with Robin” is not just an ordinary food blog! It’s about fun, adventure, and a lot of tasty foods as I travel to places along this journey road called life. I am all about traveling and experimenting food flavors and the mixtures of them. So what better way to spread the word to others about places that I visit and help promote businesses!

If you would like for me to visit your venue or restaurant please email me at Booking@robinshockley.com the name of your restaurant and location.

You may just see me show up unexpectedly one day with my big smile and readily appetite!

Robin Shockley is the Founder of “Focus Forward with Robin” she is a Writer of magazines, TV Talk Show Host, Actress, Community Servant-Leader, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, and Author of books. She believes there is freedom to move forward in life to think, believe and achieve a thing. Contact Robin for future bookings to host your event or be a Speaker to help empower your audience.