New Perspectives

Freelance photographer and creative director Jacob Webster always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the visual arts.

Jacob Webster
Jacob Webster 鈥20 

Specializing in the conceptualization and fulfillment of beauty and fashion-centric photography, Webster began his photography journey in 2014 when he founded JPW Photo LLC.

Growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland, Webster frequently collaborated with friends who were makeup artists, hair stylists and models to produce photo projects, most notably his recreations of TV shows, cartoons and movies like 鈥淭he Rugrats,鈥 鈥淭he Proud Family鈥 and 鈥淒on鈥檛 Look Under the Bed.鈥 Many of these went viral on Instagram.

After graduating from TU, Webster moved to Los Angeles, where his work slowly began to become recognized by musicians, artists and actors. Celebrities like Lori Harvey, Doja Cat, SZA and Michael B. Jordan have been photographed by Webster, and his shots have been featured in publications including Harper鈥檚 Bazaar, Vogue, Essence, BET and NBC. His dynamic work has garnered significant recognition, most recently by Forbes as one of its 30 Under 30 in Art & Style.

Lori Harvey
Webster took this portrait of the American model Lori Harvey.

Webster, 25, credits his 快活视频Marketing 101 class and photography work at 快活视频for some of his success.

After creating a mock business proposal, he began to visualize where his craft could take him. He advertised his services for graduation photos and after receiving 60 requests in one month, he knew he could turn his passion into a career.

鈥淎t 快活视频I would do shoots in Tubman House and all across campus,鈥 he says. 鈥淎nywhere I was, I was being resourceful and consistent, and I wasn鈥檛 afraid to fail.鈥 In L.A., Webster felt prepared to take on the real world largely because of his experience at TU, where he was in the Theta Omicron chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

鈥淭he community was so graceful and supportive, and I always received great feedback,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey want to prepare you for the real world.鈥

Webster鈥檚 goal is to continue to evolve and eventually expand his business to include a variety of creative mediums, including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with photography subjects and more.

Looking toward the future, Webster is most excited about the opportunity for reinvention. 鈥淵ou can do anything and be anything in this lifetime,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 think it's exciting to know that I can reintroduce myself to the world at any moment.鈥