CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Moving from running a business, to serving 20 years in the Army and then getting back into the civilian business world is something that is well known to Jayson Rivas, owner of JHR Photography.

Rivas was in business for himself with a restaurant prior to the Sept. 11 attack in 2001. He decided to liquidate the restaurant and serve his country, which he did by joining the Army and becoming a 5th Special Forces Group Green Beret.

He became a medic, and in 2005 he arrived at Fort Campbell and has served there with 5th Group ever since. Rivas, a master sergeant, is currently transitioning out of the Army, with that transition scheduled to be complete in January 2023.

Rivas said he has always been into art and learned a little bit about photography as a kid because his dad did some photography as a hobby. While in the military, Rivas said, he learned technical photography, which was taking pictures in the dark for reconnaissance and things like that.

“When I figured out that I could add in light and people, it was a lot more fun. I always wanted to get back into business, so this is the way I got back into it. I started working with more people, building up a clientele, doing portrait type work and commercial work. It just kind of grew into that,” Rivas said.

Rivas said JHR Photography began around five years ago and was going on in his off time from his military work and at the time it was more of a hobby or a side job, but today it is definitely full-time.

The JHR Photography side of the business offers head shots and senior portraits, along with commercial photos. Rivas said he especially enjoys fashion photography. On the sports side, Rivas said they do team and individual photographs, including all of the promotional items for the teams and the clubs.

Talking about transitioning from working in the military and moving into owning a business in civilian life, Rivas recommended to be sure and have a plan.

“The military prepares us with a ton of skills that don’t directly translate over into civilian life all the time. But I think being a business owner and an entrepreneur, they transition really well. It’s really the ability to have a plan and execute it,” Rivas said.

Rivas added that as he transitions out of the Army, he is working with other transitioning soldiers, getting their photographs, getting them connected with the people who can assist with their resumes and just helping them get ready to move into civilian life and the civilian workforce.

Finally, Rivas shared what he believes is his purpose in his art and his work. “My whole mission in this is to every day use the talents that God gave me to give back and to provide value to people. He gave me a talent for photography, I want to be able to give that back to people in what I do,” Rivas said.

More can be learned about JHR Photography by stopping by their location inside The Press at 211 S. Second St. in downtown Clarksville, visiting jhr-photography.com, email jayson@jhr-photography.com or by calling 615-249-8096.

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