Meet Connor Jenkins | Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Connor Jenkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Connor, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe some people choose to pursue an artistic or creative career, and others grow into the same. My story is more the latter. Since I was the age of 5, classical piano lessons and broadway shows were a staple in my family. Like our friends, my brothers and I also played all the seasonal sports, but it was my grandmother’s goal to ensure we were raised with music and creativity on the forefront of our minds. It was this same grandmother that always had an SLR and rangefinder camera with her everywhere we went. She tried desperately to teach me photography but at that age, I wasn’t interested. A few years later, my father wanted my creative help selling yachts on this new website called “YouTube” and so bought a Sony handycam for my use in filming his listings. For the next 5 years, on and off, the more I shot, the more my knowledge and understanding of photography grew. I hung up the camera during an incomplete stent in college, and eventually pursued a beautiful brunette girl whose passion for photography would re-ignite my desire to create beautiful images, even if solely for the desire to impress her.

What should our readers know about your business?
Opal Moon Media (OMM) is a photography and videography media house with its expertise in Luxury Yachts. When I first started filming yachts at a young age, I knew nothing apart from the record button. I was a 12 year old kid filming a $4M yacht with a $200 video camera and a free download of iMovie editing software. My first clients received their finished work on a hand delivered DVD, with a total cost somewhere around $100. I had a lot to learn over the next 20 years. I put down the camera a lot during the ages of 16-23, but with my wife’s encouragement, eventually decided to see if a “full-time” career in photography was possible. I have always had an affinity for yachts, but when I first started, it wasn’t a “pick and choose” reality. I shot everything from weddings to corporate events to music videos. For those first years, I shot everything that was requested. Shooting, whether photo or video, was my strong point. Editing was a different story. I struggled initially as an editor. It would take weeks for projects to get completed, I’d get overwhelmed and backed up with work and my stress would push me to the edge of quitting. Over and over and over. I eventually realized some work patterns that helped me hit achievable goals within certain time frames and before I realized it, I had more freedom in my schedule, less stress, and a much happier family. Today, I get to film and photograph some of the world’s most expertly designed yachts, delivering families, owners, brokers and brokerages with stunning marketing content paired with a very competitive turnaround time. I’ve gained the trust of many fantastic people and companies and love every second of my job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live about 2 hours north of Miami in a not-so-little-anymore city called Stuart. I was born here, raised here, met my wife here, and my wife had our son here. There’s absolutely no place like it. Downtown is a small 2 street area populated with gift shops and restaurants and musicians. The beaches here are perfect for little kids, surfers, sunbathers, and snorkelers. For even more adventure, a 20 min car ride will take you to the Jupiter Inlet where the all-red lighthouse stands guard over the crystal blue waters at high-tide. For vegans, “Fruits-N-Roots” is one of the top 5 vegan restaurants in the nation, and even though I’m not, there’s not an item on the menu I won’t devour. If you’re in the mood for live music and drinks head to “Blue Point” or “Twisted Tuna”. “Bali Twist” is the best indian food you will ever eat, and “Salerno Pizza” has 9$ pizzas that are better than a NYC slice. For fine dining, the clear winner is “Kyle G’s” ocean front, but if happy hour is what you’re looking for, Hutchinson Shore’s hotel has an absolutely stunning sunset view.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s nothing but “shoutouts” in my story. The only reason I am any bit successful is all due to others. My grandmother for her love and passion for me and for the arts as a whole. My dad for his undying encouragement and leadership in life, sales, and adulthood . My mother for her A-type personality which helped me understand how to be precise and accurate. Tom Winter for his mentorship in photography, and especially lighting. Shoutout to my clients at Allied Marine and United Yachts for their continued support and trust, as well as the many other brokerages and brokers. YouTube deserves a shoutout for the learning platform they created. A huge shoutout to my wife especially, for her patience, love, managerial talent, encouragement, correction and dedication to helping us succeed. Lastly, none of this is possible without the life, creativity, intelligence, and ability that our Father designed us with.

Instagram: @OpalMoonMedia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opalmoonmedia/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@OpalMoonMedia

Image Credits
Opal Moon Media