My Journey As A Photographer And Director In Nashville, TN.

Hi! Jakob Wandel here. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my site! 

I’m excited to share some stories with you about my work and life behind the lens. Launching this blog feels like an awesome opportunity to connect with other humans and forge a deeper understanding of my own artistic journey — so let’s get started. 

First off, I’m a photographer, videographer, and video producer / director based in Nashville, Tennessee. The joy of making cool work with fellow artists led me to creative pursuits at an early age, including joining a few bands and exploring the music scene where I grew up. But, as many of you might relate to, there’s not always a straight line connecting your interests to where your career starts. I spent a few years in the military as a diesel mechanic, acquiring a dedicated work ethic and attention to detail along the way. 

My life changed in 2015 when my brother tragically passed away. I was completely crushed and didn’t know what to do next, only that everything felt different.  Eventually, while picking up the pieces from loss, I happened to pick up a film camera, too. I started to experiment with photography for the first time, and something (in addition to the shutter) clicked. 

Combining my original passion for music with this newfound outlet in photography, I decided to pursue Entertainment Industry Studies and Photography at Belmont University. Landing in Nashville and joining the Belmont community opened the door to meeting musicians, trying out concert photography, and diving deeper into learning my craft. I met many inspirations along the way, including Jake Wesley Rogers, an artist I’ve known as friend and collaborator since our paths crossed in 2016. 

I continued to absolutely nerd out over everything I could learn in photography, and the work paid off. In 2018, I got the chance to tackle my first commercial shoot, and it proved an exciting challenge. I grew to love the entire process involved — there’s something thrilling about taking a brand's ideas and goals and briefs and making them all come to life.

Travel, too, has influenced my art in powerful ways. From personal trips across the globe to paid assignments, finding myself in new places teaches me to tell stories from different perspectives. And… it’s just really fun to explore! I also enjoy reading widely, jumping into outdoor adventures, and making a prime cup of coffee. 

Each of these influences and many more impact my personal journey, style, and perspective on life. As you might guess, this range can make it difficult to stay in one particular niche. But I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way. When it comes down to it, I find my voice and thrive creatively in situations where I can exercise empathy, collaboration, and precision. I love finding an organizational groove while reaching for excellence. And ultimately, I hope to make work with care for the planet and people (including me! yay mental health!) in mind. 

Today, I’m fortunate enough to work with a fantastic roster of clients from the entertainment industry — such as Universal and A24 — to consumer brands you may know and love. I’m steadily growing in fresh ways  (like trying / loving directing) while celebrating every step that got me here. Most of all, I feel thankful for the chance to pursue an artistic journey and never stop learning.  I can’t wait to see where the next season leads. 

Thanks again for being here, and I’d love to hear where your creative path is taking you! Reach out any time for your latest project needs, creative commiseration, or questions about a career in photography. And, if you’re ready for more updates in the future, join the email crew and keep up to date with my ~not-spammy~ updates.

Until next time, 

Jakob

Edited by Suzanna Stapler.