Meet John Hasemeier of Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Hasemeier.

Hi John, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
About 12 years ago, a few of my closest friends all took photography in high school, and I was around it a lot. I had always gravitated towards the subject; taking pictures on my parent’s point and shoot cameras on vacation, and being around it again made me even more curious. I got my first real camera on my 18th birthday and started taking it everywhere. Mostly would take it to shows my bands at the time would play, and I would shoot the bands we played with. One day in 2014, I went to a show after a band I was in broke up, and multiple bands on the bill all tipped me $50 to get photos, and that was when I realized I could start doing this for money. 2 years later, I decided to begin chasing it full time, as well as adding video to my skillset. From there I would shoot part time while serving, bartending, or working retail on the side. Then in late 2019 I went full time. For obvious reasons the following March I had to step back, but then again in 2021 as soon as I was able to become a full time photographer again, I did and I never looked back.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh boy hahah While there’s been some smooth and fantastic moments, the road itself has been littered with obstacles to put me where I’m at now. That last push between 2018-2019 to go full time initially was a grueling and humbling experience. That was when I was learning the ropes as a music video director and it could’ve beat me down but I just wanted to keep pushing every single time things got hard. When 2020 hit, It was very hard to except that I was gonna have to step away for a while.

When I came back in 2021, the competition was thicker than ever and I had A LOT of mental health stuff to work through at the same time. I spent the first year and a half working harder than ever and met some of my current mainstay clients, but it is widely seen as the toughest period of my life for a litany of reasons.

The past year and a half has been much much better, professionally and personally. Professionally I have had stability I’ve always wanted and personally I am in the healthiest and most loving relationship I’ve ever imagined. Even in this great period though there’s obstacles as I attempt to scale my business to be more than just a music media guy. I’m taking on more commercial and sports opportunities on the side and it’s been a process, but at this point, it’s nothing I can’t handle and I attribute that to the rocky starts of my career.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In Arizona, I’m most well known for my work with musicians. I have been and continue to be one of the most sought after media guys in our scene. That in itself is something I’m insanely proud of. I also hold pride in the fact that has been a wave of newer creatives that actually cite me as their inspiration to start. That itself is just an insane thing to comprehend and something I hold very dearly to my heart.

What sets me apart? I’m more than just a creative. JTH Visuals is a business that provides it’s clients with the tools and tips needed to step up their marketing, grow their audience, and as a result; set themselves apart in their own craft. When I deliver my product to a client, I don’t just dump off the photos and video, I walk them through marketing strategies, amongst many other things to make sure that they get their money’s worth. Working with me has been cited as not only a fun time, but a genuine point of growth for my clients and their brand.

What does success mean to you?
It’s simple. I’m happy. I have a partner and her son that fill my heart up on the daily, I’m paying the bills doing what I love, I’m growing week in and week out. That’s all I need. As much as I have some wild aspirations and goals, I’m happy on the way there, cause I feel pretty successful right now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jthvisuals.com
• Instagram: @JTHVisuals__
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTHVisuals
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jthvisuals__

Image Credits
Personal photo – Noah Shephard
John Hasemeier