Meet Jesse Smith of Jesse Fitton Photography in Central Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Smith.

Jesse, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been a photographer for nearly my entire life. However, it wasn’t until my wife came to me with a dream of starting a photography company. We started shooting lifestyle, newborn, and family photography. My wife is a fantastic photographer. Once we started having kids, her focus changed to raising them; we now have four kids (9, 7, 3, and 6 months) we also homeschool, so life is full. As she switched her focus, I began to focus on Architectural & Interior Design Photography, which I love.

I often tell my story like this; I am a blind photographer. In my 20s, I was diagnosed with keratoconus, a condition where my eye is shaped like a football rather than a racquetball. The contacts I wear are for medical purposes, not vanity. I like to say your dreams are on the other side of the obstacle that stands in front of you. My vision is a daily obstacle, but I don’t let it stop me from doing what I love and supporting my family doing it.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Anything worthwhile has struggles, I feel our culture wants to make everything smooth and simple. Every day I wake up struggling to see until I put on my contacts. We have to remember the things you want are worth fighting for.

From an artistic perspective, one struggle has been lighting. Once you learn the tricks of lighting, which I feel I am always learning, you can make your images pop. The balance of making your pictures look natural is an art.

Please tell us about Jesse Fitton Photography.
I am an interiors photographer, specializing in high-end commercial photography. For the last five years or so, I have been the exclusive photographer for Porter Barn Wood, a custom woodworking company in Central Phoenix. I also manage their social channels, website and I get to photograph as many projects as I possibly can. That has put me in some extraordinary places.

I am most proud of my dedication to getting better at my craft every day. The photos I take today are better than six months ago. I am always evolving in my style and try to push myself daily.

Over the years, I have been in beautifully designed spaces, and I have been in some challenging interiors that weren’t ready for me to photograph. However, I have learned how to showcase a space within the interior’s limitations. That is what sets me apart from the other interior photographers out there.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have skipped going to college. In high school and after, all I wanted to do was play music and take pictures. I wasn’t focused on school. I should have focused my attention on what I was passionate about, built a business around my passion, and gone full steam ahead. Skipping college would have allowed me to learn business first hand instead of dreaming about it and pursuing it later in life. At the very least, I wouldn’t have had student loan debt looming over me for years. LOL

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessefitton.com
• Phone: 480.252.5688
• Email: jesse@jessefitton.com
• Instagram: @jessefitton

Image Credit:
Photos by Jesse Fitton Smith

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