Sports photographer adds to credentials

Volunteer photographer Jonathan Ibajan enjoys his hobby at the American Memorial Park. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Jonathan Ibajan, who is a volunteer photographer for many sports events on island, recently graduated from the New York Institute of Photography’s professional photography course.
A civil designer by trade, Ibajan said he took the photography courses online so he could enhance his skills in his chosen hobby.

“It helped me build my confidence and my knowledge is way better than before. I’m thankful that I took this course and I can use also my skill not just in my personal hobby but in my workplace as well,” he said.

Ibajan, who is originally from Biliran Island in the Philippines, said photography has opened a lot of possibilities for him on the island. It also allowed him to meet new friends and make the subjects of his keen eye happy with the images he produces.

“I’m still working as a civil designer in my company, but if I have to answer why I should change my career to photography in the future, I would say photography will give you the freedom to enjoy your environment because you will travel from place to place. You also meet different people and express your ideas, creativity, and imagination in a limitless way.”

Those who want to follow his lead and enroll at New York Institute of Photography or any other school that caters to the hobby should do so, according to Ibajan.

“It’s not hard as long as you understand your lessons and study well. It’s about balancing your time and focus. The study involved exams each lesson, assignments on different subjects, and topics which will be graded after submission. You just need to understand all the lessons and pass the exam.”

Ibajan said his dalliance with cameras and photography started about 10 years ago.

“When I was working in the Philippines, curiosity led me to try photography and by then I started to learn little by little. Until I decided to take the professional level course myself. I still remember I was using an entry-level camera at that time without knowing how expensive photography is at a professional level.”

Asked what he gets from being a volunteer sports photographer, Ibajan said it’s all because of the sports community and how they’ve embraced him as one of their down.

“As long as I have time, no rush, and deadline on my work, I’ll be there to take pictures and share it on my social media account. And I’m thankful to my fellow volunteer photographers and the organizer of the event especially [Run Saipan president] Edward Dela Cruz Jr. and [Northern Marianas Athletics secretary general] Robin Sapong for always informing/messaging me if they have future events and activities.”

Aside from sports events, Ibajan said he’s also fond of taking photos of Saipan’s unspoiled nature.

“I love taking nature and wildlife photos. Mostly birds, I have photos of different birds on the island and I’m so happy and thrilled that I have captured most of them and I hope one day I can make a book and share it to the community. Most importantly, I want to share it to our new generation because some of the birds are endangered and I hope my photobook will help give them knowledge on what kind of species we have in the past and how beautiful they were.”

Ibajan’s works can be viewed at ww.jibajanphotography.com.