Jason Lanier Photography

My Journey

213-494-7744

jason@jlpros.com

My journey with photography started back when I was a young boy. My father was a photography enthusiast and truly loved taking his old 35mm Nikon camera out for all of our family adventures. I still remember marveling at how his camera could pick up the light and contrast of the most amazing things, and at that moment I realized I truly loved photography.

I started shooting my girlfriend in high school, and then started shooting her friends as well. Back then we had to wait for the film to be developed by a lab or on our own at the local college. When I turned nineteen years old I chose to serve a two year mission in Pusan Korea. My camera came along for the ride on what was the first true adventure of my life. Learning a new language, culture, overall way of life was the single best experience of my life in learning to become a man. I had so many wonderful experiences and am eternally grateful for this opportunity that changed my life. As a missionary we had the opportunity to work with orphanages several times every week and I truly learned what true need looks like. During one of our visits I promised God and myself that if blessed with the means and opportunity to adopt someday I would do so.

I returned from my mission and met the love of my life Kara. No adventure of mine would be complete without her. It is my deep and sincere love affair with her that drives my love of shooting weddings. Shortly before getting married I began my career as a hospitality professional. I attended the Collins School of Hospitality Management as well as the Master's Certificate Program at Cornell University. I spent the next decade working my way up the ladder in the hotel industry reaching the executive level with Marriott and Starwood Hotels. During this decade my wife and I were blessed with the tremendous opportunity to adopt triplet baby boys. Now my life was truly complete. There was no medical reason for us not having biological children, our boys were just meant to come into our home.

Three years ago while staring at the Pacific Ocean from my office at Starwood Hotels I realized there was more to life than missing the most important days of my life with my family. I called my wife and told her I was leaving the industry that had taken care of our family for so many years........

My Journey