Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarod Frausto.
Hi Jarod, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first got into photography in 2016 when I met my friend Nick Kelley in my video production class in Highschool. We started talking and he got me interested in learning more about DSLRs and photo/video. We shot around La Jolla at first and then after a bit, we started going on roadtrips. Our first trip was to Sequoia National park which was the first time I really ever explored outside of San Diego or been anywhere like that in general. I also managed to get a Canon 77D before this trip and was shooting on two Nikon adapted manual focus lenses from school. This really helped me learn the controls and how to operate a camera very quickly. We spent a few days there and quickly started planning another trip which took us all around California. We hit Malibu and camped on the beach, sat on the edge of a cliff during sunset in Yosemite National park, saw the beautiful fog of San Fransisco and the beautiful blue water of Big Sur. At this point, I was obsessed with photography and continued going on large trips around the US to places like the Grand Canyon, Mt Rainier and many more. Fast forward to 2021 and Nick owns a Van Conversion company and I’m going across California with him shooting his van and getting paid for it.
In 2019, I met another friend of mine, Austin John, who would play a massive role in my photography especially business-wise. At the time, I was pretty anti-social when it came to other photographers but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and meet up. He invited me to help with a small shoot of his for these sunglasses. We kept in touch and it led to being invited to shoots for various companies including one of the top-rated sailboat charters in San Diego and most recently a two-day shoot for Visit Huntington Beach. Him and his girlfriend Kaylee really pushed me with my photography and influenced my style a lot. They even convinced me to buy a Fujifilm when I was pretty strictly a Canon shooter. The business side of things was never something I thought about before I met them and they really opened my mind to this whole thing eventually becoming something that could financially support me. Without them, I genuinely believe my photography wouldn’t be where it is today.
Eventually, I want to be at a point where photography can not only financially support me (because who doesn’t like money?) but also fulfill my creative desires as well. It is important to separate business and passion. Eventually, I want to be able to split my income/work between jobs with Ohiko Co. (Austin and Kaylees business) and my own jobs. Ohiko Co. will most likely be local jobs and I would like my own to take me internationally around the world. I do not want to travel 24/7 but having a few bigger jobs a year that take me to a new and exciting place would be nice. Especially after the shoot for Visit Huntington Beach, I really fell in love with shooting Hospitality. Combine that with somewhere I’ve never been and that’s the dream.
A lot of my success has come from the people I surround myself with. It is very easy to become burnt out or uninspired when the people around you do not creatively push you and I am lucky enough to have people that help me stay motivated.
This year I hope to travel a lot more and go international. Who knows with the current situation but that is the plan.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creative Blocks are something every creative will face at some point. Multiple times. I had a pretty big one during 2021 when my DSLR broke and I did not shoot much. What helped get me out of it was just forcing myself to shoot again and even more so, finding others who also like to shoot. I met some people at my school who are also creatives and that pushed me a lot to get back out there. This among other people pushing me helped get me out of that block.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My photography is mainly focused on landscapes and portraits. Usually surrounding the travel scene. Like most people, I kind of cringe at my early work as a lot of it was super trendy and cliche. Crazy color grades that made no sense, me standing in front of the camera, stuff like that. Although I had to learn somehow right, haha. My style since then has changed a lot. Normally focused on warmer natural tones. I am really proud of this one shot of my friend Zach in the dunes. That day it was extremely windy which was horrible for us but amazing for photos since the dunes were a lot more smooth and you could see sand flying across it.
What matters most to you? Why?
I think having like-minded people around you that push you creatively is super important. I am not saying it is impossible but finding motivation by yourself is often much harder than if you have someone there with you to push you and help you grow. Or just someone to grow alongside where you can help each other. There are always people out there who will use you but when you find those few who are genuine, it is important to keep them close.
Contact Info:
- Email: fraustymedia@gmail.com
- Website: fraustymedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fraustyy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvKWAs6_lqqM8tciPV39SXQ
