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Community Highlights: Meet J.R. St Jean of St Jean Creative

Today we’d like to introduce you to J.R. St Jean. Them and their team share their story with us below:

J.R. has been a photographer for 20 years. He loves photographing people, events, and important moments and giving memories and experiences they people will never forget. 

J.R. grew up in Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University and graduated in 1999. It was during his studies he discovered his love of photography. He spent 2 years at Boston’s Museum of Science photographing the museum’s natural history collection. 

In 2000 He move to Atlanta GA for 10 years. It is here he worked more on his photographic skills, practicing photographing people, events, and buildings. 

He then moved to Orlando Fl in 2011 to work for the Walt Disney Company. He started in the photopass department working in the parks taking photos of the guests. Then he moved to Disney Fine Art Photography working with families and events all across the Walt Disney World Property. He also spent a year working with Planet Hollywood photographing their extensive movie memorabilia collection. 

J.R. is always learning new skills and new techniques so his guests can have the best photo possible. He is a member of the Professional Photographer of America. In 2021 he complete PPA’s certification program to earn his CPP 

(Certified Professional Photographer) 

Now in St Petersburg FL he is looking to bring smiles and memories to all the people he gets to photograph. 

Honors and Awards 

Graduated Cum Laude from Harvard 1999 

Business Man of The Year, Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 2009 

Public Art Piece in Orlando City Hall 2015 

Certified Professional Photographer with Professional Photographers of America 2021 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We opened in January of 2o2o only to shut down in February 2020. I was laid off from my job at Disney. Started to work for myself. Reopened in October of 2o20 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about St Jean Creative?
We have several studio names: 

St. Jean Creative: Headshots, Business, Promotional 

Suncoast Photos: Resort and Vacation Photography 

Take Pride Photography: Photographic services for the LGBT community 

Suncoast Santa: Our Holiday Santa Experience and events 

We go beyond just taking your photo. We are there to help you plan and execute your photographic needs. We are there every step of the way to make the process as easy as possible. 

So be it large conventions, a small family gathering, or a companywide headshot session we can guide your planning to make sure you receive the best service possible. 

We go beyond just taking your photo. We are there to bring out the best in you, to make you feel comfortable, and to give you a photographic experience like no one else 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Bests: The beach access, the friendly people, the laid-back vibe, the art community, the diversity 

I don’t really have a dislike Moving to St Petersburg was one of the best moves I have made in my life. 

Contact Info:

Image Credits
J R St Jean

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