My story

Jordan Paddock has cultivated an eye for composition through a lifelong education in art, but photography has not always been his main focus. After receiving a B.A. in conceptual art with a minor in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2013 and subsequently taking community college courses in early childhood education, Paddock spent six years as a preschool educator. In the evenings and on weekends, he grew connections in the music industry while working as a DJ, he studied woodworking, and he took business courses online. Finally confident enough to make the leap, he left education in December of 2019 to pursue a full-time creative career.

While the COVID-19 lock-down of early 2020 brought unforeseen, painful obstacles to this pursuit, including the loss of his clients and an ensuing depression, a silver-lining presented itself that summer when he purchased his first camera. He has studied digital and film photography relentlessly, and eventually developed skills in videography and motion graphics. He now produces work for individual clients, organizations, and music festivals, and he continues to produce personal work for sale and exhibition.