Life & Work with Jon Duncan of Clarksville Tennessee, Historic Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Duncan.

Hi Jon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always been a creative person. I grew up very poor out in the country, and I spent much of my youth reading, drawing, and painting. Through art, I felt able to experience the exotic places and adventures I read about. In high school, I took a film-making class where our final assignment was creating a silent movie using only visuals to convey a story. I fell in love with visual storytelling and creating imaginary worlds where I could share my imagination with others. After failing to graduate my senior year of high school, I started work at an industrial plant, where I served in various roles ranging from Operations to Human Resources over 16 years. Around 2015, I started taking night classes at Nashville State Community College as a pastime. One of the classes I was required to take was an introductory course in digital photography. I purchased an entry-level DSLR camera and began the long journey of mastering photography, a goal that cannot be achieved, only pursued. At some point, after posting pictures I had taken on social media, a realtor asked if I could shoot some photos to list one of her houses with. Despite having no experience in architectural photography or real estate marketing, I agreed and soon found myself shooting houses a few times a month. About the same time I began to burn out in my industrial career, I ran into another photographer who had built a successful business in high-end real estate photography. He had been thinking of hiring another person to assist him, and after some lengthy conversations, I left my security, salary, and benefits and leaped over the edge. Over the next three years, he educated me in commercial photography and videography while building his brand into a marketing company now known as The Cultivated Co, a design and visual marketing firm in Clarksville. His work ethic, demand for perfection, and hunger for continual learning created just the environment I needed to thrive. I eventually rose to the role of senior photographer, trainer, and creative director in the company. The only thing missing was the freedom to pursue opportunities to work outside the scope of the company’s clients, and so last November I set out on my own. Just as with leaving my first career, the doors that have opened since have been as diverse and exciting as I had hoped! I can genuinely say to anyone who’s on the fence about risking stability to pursue their dreams- do it. This is America, and that dream is for anyone and everyone!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in this life comes easily (that’s the fun part)- but there’s one philosophy that has helped me overcome adversity time and again, and it’s yet to fail me: when something goes wrong, I ask myself, “What could I personally have done differently, or can do differently in the future, to succeed instead of failing in this instance?” Never blame the situation, luck, or another person- there is a root cause to all your problems: find it, fix it. There’s a saying in the Special Forces community: “No one is coming. It’s up to us.” I’m an academic dropout without any financial resources other than what I’ve created on my own, with the curse (blessing) of being perpetually unsatisfied- so you can imagine the challenges I face. The second most critical philosophy that has served me is best summarized by a keynote speaker I recently heard while shooting a corporate event: “You can get anything you want if you help others get what they want.” Be an asset to those in your community, whether that be a listening ear or going above and beyond in your role professionally. I would be nowhere if it wasn’t for the people around me lifting me, encouraging me, and going out of their way to open doors. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My logo is a stylized interpretation of a cattle brand. Ranchers would use simple pictographs to convey meanings, and mine is composed of my initials, capped by a crown with three points. The crown symbolizes the three mediums that govern my creative life: photography/videography, studio art, and music. Those passions have steered my professional life, and the combination provides a creative vision that sets me apart from others in my field. If someone asked me what my specialty is, it would be hard to narrow it down- diversity is my bread, and novelty is the butter. Photography and videography are the ultimate expressions of art- within those mediums, I can use music, light, angles, colors, and compositions to communicate not just what is, but what can be. It’s said that we’re made in the likeness of our Creator- and in some way we all possess the desire to create our own universe. For me, whether I’m painting a portrait, producing a video, or playing a fiddle solo- it’s that desire to create a new and unique narrative that gives me the most satisfaction.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
We’re all just a product of the people we’re closest to, and I’ve been extremely fortunate in my life. From my mother, who taught me that money has nothing to do with class, to my father, who taught me that you decide who you are. I credit my childhood friends- creative, extremely bright people who kept me from falling into the same traps that many of my peers grew up in the same poor, rural environment. Those friends went on to do great things, and being in their company encouraged me never to succumb to complacency. I couldn’t go without mentioning my coworkers at the industrial plant I spent so many long shifts with- I learned what hard work means and how to go further than you physically or emotionally think you can. Tyler Cruse, the man who first gave me the opportunity to work as a professional photographer, gave me an invaluable education you can’t buy at a university. I’ll forever be indebted to my friends who became clients and the clients who became friends- those investments in me and my business have been critical to my success. I must mention how important it is for anyone in my profession to have someone in their personal life who supports a person whose attention is being pulled a hundred different ways- Melanie, my girlfriend, is my biggest supporter. And finally, but certainly not least, the community of friends, leaders, business owners, and creatives that is Clarksville, Tennessee- I’ve visited three continents, and I’m still convinced I live in the greatest community in the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: jonduncanphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jon_duncan_photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonduncanphotography