Life in Pink; An Interview with Jesse Paul

Jesse Paul, Life in Pink. 

An Interview: By Tilly

My name is Jesse Paul I have been a freelance professional photographer for better part of 2 decades, almost 17 years I think. I got started in high school just snapping photos with my Dad. After post secondary I started taking pics of local bands and musicians to get into shooting more music. 

I got in with shooting concerts of national touring bands. That lead me to moving into the US for 10 years and touring all over the country with bands of all types of genres. It finally landed me in Las Vegas where I lived for 5 years. Working with some of the best in entertainment there from magicians, dancers, shooting red carpets to even having a large Las Vegas stipe Hotel as major client doing all their content and social.  A huge highlight was being able to work with Kevin Hart and Wu-Tang Clan on different projects. I was approached by the editor of Sensi Magazine to work with them in the Cannabis Industry that was my entrance to the world of cannabis.

In 2019 I returned to Canada to take care of my mother as her health was not doing well. I opened up a creative studio in my home town of Clinton. Then…. COVID! Only being open for 6 months I had to shut down for a good few months at first, not being able to shoot with people. I turned my focus on real estate and working on content creation for small business which was my only loop hole to working during the pandemic. 

Fast forward to 2021, I started doing content for online cannabis news source with filming interviews and shooting events. Taking a move to now being one of the growing known content creators in the cannabis industry, and this is where we are today with Life In Pink. 

Have you always wanted to produce media in the cannabis industry?

No, when I got into it in Las Vegas I was excited to work with a published magazine. I have a passion for just shooting anything and everything with my camera. Back then I didnt even smoke cannabis at all. All of my friends were consumers, it just was not a thing I felt for me. 

Where did this journey begin and how did you get here?

I was approached by the editor of Sensi Magazine to work with them in the Cannabis Industry that was my entrance to the world of cannabis. When returning to Canada from living abroad I started working with an online news source here filming and photographing the conventions and interviews.

What are some highlights of past jobs that you have done?

Some highlights for me I have gained in the industry is definitely being able to travel all across Canada working and meeting so many great people. Creating interviews with the likes of Jim Belushi, Bif Naked, Steve Deangelo just to name a few. Mostly though is working with companies and brands to help create some more artistic shots and working with them creating content they will use.

What style of projects do you usually take on?

I will take on all kinds of projects from companies and brands. Everything from GS1 images, capturing cannabis related events, creating branding visuals, to social media content and even social media management.

What caused you to take on more cannabis-themed jobs?

 I have always been passionate about shooting and engineering content for myself and companies. This is just another avenue I am excited to be working with. Though photographing all the different flower with the beauty and colours of them is helpful to keep me here.

Do you do a lot of travelling for work? If so, what are some highlights?

So far I have been able to travel across a lof of Canada that I have never been to. Whether it's for an event or a shoot with a company. Seeing some of the amazing facilities that are created for this industry is very interesting. I do get to learn a lot more than I knew of before.

Do you specialize in anything specific?

I try not to specializing in one specific area. In all of my years of doing photography and content, I try to expand things I do to everything. I get bored easily so I dont want to stick to only ONE thing incase I get bored of it. So everyday I can be doing something different in any of the industries iIwork with. I just love to create that really is the only thing I specify in.

What do you do if you have a creative block?

Actually dealing with some of a creative block now. I will go over and over what I need to do and do it. I will finish things and hate them, start over and redo it till I like it. But to break that metal block, I will go for a good walk, consume some cannabis and have my music going for a while.

How do you measure the success of a project?

Depending on the project, the views and reviews from images or videos. But as long as my clients and the people are happy that to me is a successful project.

Do you have any advice on how to handle a judgemental employer?

A judgemental client are hard sometimes to deal with, I have been fortunate to not have many of these in my time especially in the Cannabis industry. But if they dont like the first cut of a video, then I will go back to make some changes they would like to see. Cause in the end, as much of it is my art and work. Its for their brand and image. I want to make sure they are happy to put out my work that shows off their best visuals.

Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

If anyone has any questions on getting their images or videos better just ask me i'm just a message away. I want to help try to bring more creatives out in the cannabis industry and just any industry. There are too many people comparing their work or what the other creative person is doing. Just focus on what your doing, the only competition is yourself. Just keep creating.

Where can you find Jesse?