#61 - James Jin: Pushing Through The Visually Uncomfortable

Explicit content warning

03/12/24 • 59 min

Step into a world where dance meets stillness, and artistry transcends boundaries. Join us as we uncover the magic behind James Jin's lens, where each click captures not just a moment, but a story. Discover how James's Artist Mindset transforms his subjects into empowered, expansive artists, and learn why his work is more than just photography—it's a journey of self-discovery and expansion.

James Jin is a Brooklyn-based artist, singer, educator, and photographer on a mission to transform the experience of being photographed and “seeing” ones self. Through his Artist Mindset photo session, James helps clients tap into their more expansive selves, capturing stunning moments that transcend far beyond the shutter click. His work, showcased on Instagram and his website, reflects a unique blend of photo shoot, therapy, and guided meditation. Alan and James's chance encounter at a "Pretty, Witty and Gay Cabaret" (hosted by past WIC guests Jasmine and Cassidy) event sparked a conversation about the transformative power of photography as live, in-action coaching. James creates a safe, empowering space for vulnerability to shine, helping his subjects become more expansive artists. He encourages artists to step out of their comfort zones believing that discomfort leads to profound learning and growth.

Connect with James on his website and Instagram.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Alan and James met by chance at one of Cas and Jas’s “Pretty, Witty and Gay Cabaret” events
The James Jin process is about creating an environment where people can feel safe enough to open up to being vulnerable while on camera
James wants to help his subjects feel empowered to do this work for themselves
This is really a live, in-action coaching experience using the art of photography as the vessel
This experience helps you be a more expansive artist
James was in High School when he first picked up a camera but it wasn’t until post-college that he decided to make this a career.
Dancers of New York was the “chance” encounter that really changed things for James. The idea of this was inspired by Humans of New York.
His approach is “I will create opportunities for you to challenge yourself, go out of your comfort zone, and face your fears—because when you get better at doing those things consistently, you get closer to where you want to be.”
Business school was how James learned NOT to do things. Ditching the “business as usual” approach.
James credits Seth Godin for helping him think outside of the box with his work.
The next phase of business is to work with artists for repeat sessions to build their confidence and support them as they grow and expand professionally
The moments filled with regret are also the moments where you learn the most and it’s a gift to embrace them.
When you feel discomfort don’t run from it, explore it!

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Connect with James on his website and Instagram.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Alan and James met by chance at one of Cas and Jas’s “Pretty, Witty and Gay Cabaret” events
The James Jin process is about creating an environment where people can feel safe enough to open up to being vulnerable while on camera
James wants to help his subjects feel empowered to do this work for themselves
This is really a live, in-action coaching experience using the art of photography as the vessel
This experience helps you be a more expansive artist
James was in High School when he first picked up a camera but it wasn’t until post-college that he decided to make this a career.
Dancers of New York was the “chance” encounter that really changed things for James. The idea of this was inspired by Humans of New York.
His approach is “I will create opportunities for you to challenge yourself, go out of your comfort zone, and face your fears—because when you get better at doing those things consistently, you get closer to where you want to be.”
Business school was how James learned NOT to do things. Ditching the “business as usual” approach.
James credits Seth Godin for helping him think outside of the box with his work.
The next phase of business is to work with artists for repeat sessions to build their confidence and support them as they grow and expand professionally
The moments filled with regret are also the moments where you learn the most and it’s a gift to embrace them.
When you feel discomfort don’t run from it, explore it!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

#60 - Lara Love Hardin: Climbing Back From a Heroin Addiction

From New York Times bestselling author comes a tale of personal redemption. Uncover the incredible journey of Lara Love Hardin in this intimate episode, Lara reveals her struggles, the power of self-forgiveness, and the profound impact of storytelling. Dive into a story of hope and the unyielding strength of the human spirit that promises to leave you inspired. Listen now - the story of Lara Love Hardin is one you won't want to miss.

Connect with Lara on Instagram get a copy of ‘The Many Lives of Mama Love’

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Lara didn’t expect her memoir, “The Many Lives of Mama Love” to touch so many lives and provide peace to so many
The books Lara works on, as a literary agent always have impact - that’s what she’s seeking to put out into the world
Prior to releasing her memoir, she was living in a constant state of fear and shame - the book was a way to release all that fear and shame. Owning your story is so incredibly powerful
Lara spent so much time trying to prove she was worthy and good enough but always afraid her past would take everything away
Forgiveness is easy for Lara - with everyone except herself. When she wrote the chapter on “self-forgiveness” for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book she had to face this head-on and it changed the game
“Reading was my first addiction” - reading was an escape and a way to protect herself
If you want to be a writer you have to read and read and read
With a natural aptitude for writing Lara got a lot of attention and approval at school and she craved more of that
Writing is a way for Lara to feel good
There’s a very special gift to be able to write in the voice of others
Collaborative writing and ghostwriting are, basically, the same thing
Two years out of jail and on probation, Lara was struggling to get a job. When she saw a Craigslist post for a part-time literary agent assistant
When someone believes in you, you rise above and beyond their expectations - we all need to be believed in
Lara worked her way up to CEO from Idea Arcitechs and then left to start her own agency, True Literary.
True Literary’s mission is to help create books and content that entertains, transforms, provokes, and inspires (not necessarily in that order).
Starting her own agency was about the freedom to choose who she worked with and what books/authors she took on and also being able to decide how she wants to spend her time and be fully free
“There is no room for creativity when you’re in survival mode”
The Gemma Project is about gender and trauma-responsive care for incarcerated women
Stay tuned because Lara’s memoir is being optioned for a made-for-TV film
It takes a lot to shake Lara, she doesn’t fear failure because she doesn’t personalize it. It’s all just feedback
Hope can be squishy but Lara’s philosophy is “I look forward to looking back on this someday” and she loves it when people underestimate her.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

#62 - Alison Cochrun: Authors... They're Just Like Us!

Welcome to the beautiful world of queer romance with author Alison Cochrun. Hear about the stories behind her heartwarming novels that celebrate love's many hues and the courageous journey of self-discovery that echoes through her pages. From the award-winning "Kiss Her Once for Me" to the charm of "The Charm Offensive," and the excitement building around "Here We Go Again," Alison shares her thoughts on crafting the quirkiest, most endearing characters that resonate with readers everywhere. Discover how a feverish six-day writing stint morphed into an international bestseller, and why taking risks can lead to the most beautiful of love stories — in books and in life. Grab your favorite cozy blanket and a cup of tea; this is one conversation about life, love, and literature that you won't want to miss.

Connect with Alison on her website and Instagram.

Get copies of her books The Charm Offensive, Kiss Her Once for Me and Here We Go Again.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

**Content warning: We do talk about mental health and suicide towards the end of this episode.

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Alison Cochrun chose “quirky, Queer romance” because she’s always loved a “Happily ever after” but after reading “The Wedding Date” by Jasmine Gulliory she wanted to start writing her own.
Alison didn’t always intend to write Queer books because she didn’t know she was gay until she was 33.
Most of her writing when she was younger was Young Adult Fantasy
Writing “The Charm Offensive” helped Alison come out and embrace her Queerness
From a young age Alison knew she wanted to be a writer or a teacher. Low self confidence got in the way of writing at first.
In her mid twenties Alison was super risk adverse and had a massive fear of failure that turned her off of writing and taking the teaching path.
Alison wrote the first draft of “The Charm Offensive” in six days - it felt like a fever dream.
Sharing that messy first draft was the intentional risk Alison took that lead to what is now an international best seller.
Alison writes very personal stories and, thus, gives a lot of herself to the audience when she writes a book.
Writing characters that are based on different parts of herself allowed Alison to develop a beautiful feedback loop between herself and readers. It allowed her to continue to be more vulnerable in her writing.
Alison shares that there is a lot of writing that happens that isn’t writing. It’s about getting to know your characters and really understand them.
Alison is a big fan of former Was It Chance guest, Venessa Kelley who has done art for Alison’s work.
Advice to up and coming writers: write the story you want to write - there are readers out there! Trust yourself.
Winning the Lambda Literary award for best LGBTQ Romance in 2023 was an amazing moment in Alison’s life.
She is currently finding opportunities to teach writing and stretch her writing skills in new genres.
Leaving her teaching career to be a full time writer was the greatest risk of Alison’s life.