In Edition #236 of Industry Insider, we head to the other side of the globe to chat with Aleksander Jason. Aleksander is a photographer currently working with Melbourne City and the Australian national men’s team, the “Socceroos”!
Tell us about yourself, what is your current role and what roles have you done previously?
Hey I’m Aleksander Jason and I’m an Australian photographer, it feels like I live far, far away from every other galaxy. Or just the rest of the world.
I’m a 31-year-old creative based in Melbourne and currently work behind the lens for A-league side Melbourne City and the Australian national men’s team “Socceroos”. Have had the absolute privilege to travel to Qatar for the World Cup in 2022, document the Asian Champions win in 2015 and multiple trophies with Melbourne City.
Without forgetting to mention, where would we be without social media and its reach to work with many others across the globe.
2022 was also a special year for me as I had the honour to work with FC Porto & Dynamo Kyiv thanks to New Balance and Cult Kits!
I got my start as a 17-year-old, noticing that most publications and magazines in the music industry never wanted to hire younger photographers, i started my own “online mag” and let’s just say, it opened doors to some amazing gigs!
What do you do in your current role?
According to some comments over my time, opposing fans think I do absolutely nothing – current roles, as a “photographer” are documenting league wins (3 in a row) major tournaments with the Socceroos and a week from now (as of June 2023) I’ll be heading to Portugal to film my second short for FC Porto and New Balance.
My goals for this role, I’d love to push my video side of things! So, watch out 2024!
Let’s also remember, the budgets in Australia are probably the same as The Championship or League One at best (depending on club’s investments etc) and I am fortunate to be a part of a club that believes in investing into their staff and resources.
“Normal” isn’t a thing in sport so what does an “average” week look like for you?
Our new facilities, yeah that place! Millions $$$ investment, but very far away! Our old home was literally 15minutes for me!
2-3 Training sessions per week, which allows me to document our men’s, women’s and youth teams depending on the time of year. Weekends or Friday nights in summer will be game day.
Being a freelancer, I’ll have a lot more other commercial work in between. Things get a lot busier during or pre international breaks!
Recently flew to China for the Socceroos friendly with World champions Argentina!
How did you end up where you are right now? When did you know you wanted to work in sport?
How? Lots and lots and lots of hustling! Let me tell you, it is never a quick or easy thing to achieve!
I was always a believer in Instagram in 2009, having accounts for different types of work – documenting as much as I could with the limited access to events, I was given a life line by then media manager of MCFC to join the crew in 2015! Let’s say, things just clicked and here we are!
What is your number one focus when it comes to your work?
The key little bit of advice I give to any creative, is that being unique is to be truly you. No one can do you better than you can do you, and I hope that makes sense. I believe that focusing on your own goal/mission is the best and only way to be true to yourself.
Can you tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it?
I was replaced on a project, and I never knew why. It was supposed to be a documentary like image series on a certain footballer, spanning 6months-12months depending on budget use by client.
When replaced, I spent most of the time dwelling on the idea, that it was me and my body of work / my portfolio. Only a year or so later, it became clear that it was a logistical matter.
The failure that I first imagined, only became clear when I realised my biggest failure was not trusting myself and knowing that I needed to work on my mental strength for future scenarios as such.
What are you excited about in your industry at the moment?
That freedom of creativity is the key to one’s success – when I studied in 2010, I remember my lecturer/educator advising me than a certain style of photographer will have a long lasting career.
And today, it seems a hungry creative will be able to survive much longer, because the industry today is a lot more welcoming to “outside the box” thinkers.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would you change?
Competitive nature! Creators are guilty of choosing competition over collaboration.
With that, I would say that we would need to teach each other how to accept and how to move forward.
Sport is a hectic industry, what do you do to switch off?
Sport is competitive on and off the pitch, the industry itself as a creative can be emotionally exhausting – a non-stop battle to better yourself, but also mentally difficult to switch off and avoid comparing yourself to others within the game.
Switching off is easy, family is always a key component to my life. My three amazing girls, an overweight pug and the simple life of enjoying the small things.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to work in the sports industry?
Don’t prolong the process, starting today is better than tomorrow.
Trust yourself, the process and be prepared to take the long road.
And lastly, you are good enough! Always.
How to connect with Aleksander Jason…
Find me online as @thatfootballphotog and of course @talkingshirt_
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