jordanleonen

I am a freelance photographer from the Island of Guam. I have been taking pictures as a hobbyist/amateur professional since 2010 and most if not all of my work can be viewed on my Facebook, Flickr & Smugmug accounts.

My interest in photography stems from when I was still very young; my Dad had an old Nikon SLR that I would always pick up, play with thus many a film roll would go to waste. This interest, among other creative outlets, I have retained through the years.

In 2008, my Dad purchased his first DSLR; a Nikon D40x and to this day still uses it. Up until 2010 though he (and I) rarely if not never strayed from using its Auto and No-Flash setting so on my 27th birthday I took it upon myself to finally learn how to break away from that green icon on the mode dial. Funny thing is that same day I started, I met someone who would become my teacher for a good 2 years as I shadowed him during shoots, events and weddings. I was out shooting in manual, trying to figure out all this ISO, shutter speed and aperture (then) nonsense. He noticed me, came over and gave me a few tips. He generously took me under his wing as he in his words "saw a genuine thirst for learning and photographic artistry". He deemed me his Padawan in the Dark Arts (Yes! Nikon is the Dark Side LOL) and in early 2012 Knighted me by saying the rest I would have to learn on my own.

I picked up my Nikon D90 in December of 2010, my Nikon D70s in December of 2011 and my Nikon D700 this past June 2012. I find having at least 2 cameras at an event to be more convenient than having to switch out lenses. I use the D70s and D90 as every day shooters and the D700 only for important or paid gigs and events. The lenses that are practically glued onto the cameras (until the need arises for either my Tokina AT-X Pro 11-16mm f/2.8 DX, Nikon 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF D and Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED) are my Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and Nikkor AF-DC 135mm f/2 D. I am a Prime guy haha!

To date I have had countless solo and group "learning" photo shoots, assisted on at least 4 weddings, lead on 2 weddings, as well as coverage on several parties, funerals, events, portraiture sessions and I hope to continue all this for the remainder of my stay here on Guam and into my new life in Vienna, Austria at the end of this year.

I have 1 Photography Workshop to date; Manny Librodo Jr - A Landscape of Emotions held here on Guam in September 2011.