Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Mills.
Hi Jordan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
First off, I’m a Firecontrolman in the Navy but as a hobby, I take pictures with my camera, whether it be my Sony a6400 or just my phone, whatever I have at the time. I started out just taking screenshots in video games, editing, and posting them on Instagram. I never took it seriously by any means, but that soon carried over into using my phone to take pictures of landscapes and the sky. A couple years go by, and I’m starting to get better at composition and editing those photos and decided to go and buy my first camera, the Sony a6400. It was a hard decision and pretty expensive but I never regrated my decision, in fact, I wish I would have bought the camera I’m looking to buy soon the Sony a7IV. After I bought the camera, I used it on vacations and some photo shoots here and there graduated high school and into college, but this was during covid, so I didn’t really finish off my school year didn’t get a graduation until later and no prom. It came time to go to college, and everything was online. Turns out I didn’t like doing online school, so I decided to look for other options my cousin’s husband is in the navy as a chief and he was telling me all about it and I was intrigued but didn’t really think too much about it but I wanted to talk to a recruiter and do some research on what jobs the Navy offers and I saw Mass communications which are the people who literally take pictures for the Navy and I was on board. My cousin told me to look into Advanced Electronics Computer Field, which consists of radars and weapons systems, and he told me that the advancements of the field are great and it’s super cool. AECF splits into two different rates Electronic Technician and FireControlman and the selection on what you get is random but I got FC. I went to school for my job and got my system I work on which is RAM (rolling airframe missile). Since then, I’ve been assigned to the Carl Vinson, and that’s where I’ve been since for almost a year now. I make it a point to take as many pictures I can while I’m out to sea, and I can’t wait for what’s to come next!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some struggles is definitely joining the Navy adjusting to this lifestyle while also getting through just normal day-to-day issues such as living on the ship being away from family and friends being in new places, which is good but also bad having to reset
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
First and foremost, I primarily work for the Navy as a Firecontrolman which involves weapons systems. These weapon systems are there as a last resort to defend the ship against incoming threats. This involves maintaining and making sure the system works as intended. When not doing Maintenance, I am working on qualifications for the ship while also helping out with the other systems as needed. Whether its maintaining standing watch, training, or working on quality, that’s where you’ll find me doing in the Navy. As for my photography side it is currently a hobby for the time being. However, I would love to make it into a job and a business sometime down the road. Currently, I am mainly just taking pictures for fun and to build my portfolio as a photographer. I do photoshoots for free, but only if anyone asks, I would gladly work out a time and place, and we’ll get something worked out. If I get enough requests, then I’ll start charging money for them, and we’ll discuss a good deal that works for both of us. The photos you’ll see the most are caught either on the street, in nature, or during the day-to-day Navy training. You’ll find a good variety of locations, settings, and moods throughout my portfolio.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is doing something you’re proud of, being happy with where you’re at, and happy about what you’re doing now, and eager for what’s to come. Success comes in different form whether it be socially, your career, or just being glad to be alive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/everlvst_photography?igshid=NjNlMDhmYTc=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EVERLVST?mibextid=ZbWKwL
