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I’m a high-energy, self-starting creative director, designer, and strategist with a background in digital marketing, media production, entrepreneurship, business strategy, project management, and design thinking. With experience leading large groups, I’m used to working with strict budgets under tight deadlines to deliver projects from concept to execution.
I graduated University of Miami in 2009 with a BSC dual-major in motion picture production and fine art photography and minor in creative writing.
In July of that year, I also started my first freelance marketing company and began exploring printing my high-resolution street art photography on textiles. A variation on this concept helped win the University of Miami Business Plan competition at the graduate level in the fall of 2010.
Between founding my first design and photography business in 2009 and today, I’ve worked with brands of all sizes and developed several successful businesses, everything from international healthcare providers and digital marketing agencies to a commercial aquaponic farm and craft ice cream company.
Over the 13+ years of my career, I’ve become proficient in several valuable areas. These include creative direction, digital marketing, design & media production, and business strategy. I’m always looking to expand my skillsets and learn new things. If you’re looking for someone with a specific skill, chances are I have it or can learn it quickly.
I’ve built a number of startups from the ground up and always look for creative solutions to challenging problems. Since launching my first business in the summer of 2009, I’ve sold millions of dollars across over 10+ entities- everything from scoops of ice cream and shares in a passive solar greenhouse to commercial video production and monthly SEO services.
I can work my way around professional camera systems just as well as large-format printers, and have an eye for design. I’ve made everything from logos to silk dresses and buildings. I’ve been using computers since before I can remember- my first PC was made by Sun Microsystems. If I don’t know it, I’ll figure it out.
Part of my work as a photographer and graphic designer naturally led to learning everything I could about website development, search engine optimization, online paid advertising, and more, just to stay competitive. I’m also well-versed in full-stack web development, project management, and analytics, trying new things and studying trends to fuel business growth.
High School Diploma
BSC, Motion Pictures & Fine Art Creative Writing Minor
Engaged with clients to deliver photography, graphic/web design and development, branding and marketing consultation services. Created extreme-resolution, HDR photography techniques with work presented at science conferences and exhibited in galleries, museums, and photography competitions nationwide.
Responsible for all photography studio/retouching duties, including product, fashion, and real estate projects. Worked with and managed design team for both web and print. Interacted personally with clients to develop professional marketing material.
Created in-house studio for all photography needs. Designed all marketing, including website & social media. Advised equipment purchases including modern, multi-store POS system and surveillance system. Facilitated painting of sidewall by world-renowned street artists.
Drove client revenue north of six figures. Responsible for client relationship management, marketing, media production, website development, design, brand identity, and all other aspects of digital marketing for SMBs and enterprises, from retail shops to national corporations.
Designed, financed, operated 4k sq. ft aquaponic greenhouse in Hayden, Colorado. Brought sales of crops to six-figure gross within 12 months of launch. Launched successful online delivery CSA program, hosted farm-to-table dinners and competitions with local top chefs.
Developed a line of craft, locally-inspired ice cream sold wholesale and at farmers markets. Raised capital & launched a successful retail kiosk in downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Responsible for management, branding, PR, product development, marketing, and sales.
Managed company accounts, providing full-service digital marketing including branding, media production, marketing, and tech consulting to municipalities, SMBs, and corporations.
Portfolios
/Selected Work
Press
/In the news
View the original article on SteamboatPilot.com. Jay Hirschfeld is hoping to introduce a new recipe this weekend at his downtown kiosk. It’s not going to be a new flavor for…
View the original article on ColoradoSun.com. Town leaders are preparing for an influx of newcomers while working to maintain their ranching heritage and small-town vibe. HAYDEN — Mathew Mendisco plucks his…
View the original article on SteamboatPilot.com. Jay Hirschfeld and his business partner chef Jessi Watson are hoping the Yampa Valley Ice Cream Co. can add some new flavor to downtown…
View the original article on SteamboatPilot.com. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The steady whir of a commercial ice cream maker fills the air inside the commissary kitchen at Dry Creek Park in…
View the original article on SteamboatPilot.com. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County businessmen Jay Hirschfeld and John Weibel may not own restaurants, but they have felt the financial impacts brought on…
View the original post on SteamboatPilot.com. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The ice cream is chilling; the competition heating up. The first-ever Yampa Valley Farm-to-Table Ice Cream Competition is set for Sunday,…
View the original article on SteamboatPilot.com. HAYDEN — 41North’s vegetables are fueled by the sun — and some fish poo converted into aquaponic fertilizer. At the new solar aquaponic farm…
View the original article on Complex.com (reposted from Petapixel.com). New York-based photographer Jay Hirschfeld wrote a piece for PetaPixel today titled "Chasing 5 Pointz" in which he reflects on the time he spent at…
View the original article on Petapixel.com. I first heard about 5 Pointz in a Wall Street Journal article in the summer of 2011. The article detailed the recent attempts by the owner…
View the original article on Petapixel.com. I focus on a relatively obscure (though rapidly becoming more popular) area of photography called gigapixel-resolution photography. I use a robotic panoramic mount to…
Please use the form below to contact me. I can also be reached by email at Jay@JHirschfeld.com.