To
be an art photographer here in Utah is a challenge in itself. To do
that and run your own studio on top is another level all
together.
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Since early 2007, K. Jean Photography has been making a name for
itself doing everything from up close and personal portraits to vast
landscapes of our ever changing state. All while K. herself continues
her passion in school and artistically in her spare time. I got a
chance to chat with her about her work, her business, and a few other
questions that came to mind.
K.
Jean
http://www.myspace.com/kasiejeanphotography
Gavin: Hey K. First off, tell us a little about
yourself.
KJ: Well a bit about myself. I grew up in
Northern Utah and graduated from Weber High in 2001. I move to Salt
Lake in 2003.
Gavin: What first got you interested in
doing photography?
KJ: My first camera was a little
Turquoise 110. I must have been 10. I really loved everything about
it. Although waiting for them to get developed was a bit of a pain. I
think I waited almost a year for a few rolls to go in. Considering it
wasn’t ME paying for them. I started to expose myself to the art of
photography my senior year in high school. It was mainly the basic
class of millimeter developing and such. Not really focusing on the
art and technique so much. Years went by before I was able to really
dive in again. I had the common 35mm camera but it was nothing
special and nothing that could really do what I needed it to do.
Finally for Christmas 2005 I got my fist digital camera and when nuts
with it. In the first year I had it I shot close to 10K pictures.
During that time I really started to understand what worked and what
didn’t. Sadly that camera didn’t reach a full year old before it
broke. I only survived only 2 months before I caved and splurged a
bit more cash for a more semi-pro unit.
Gavin: For
those who don't know your work, what would you say you're most well
known for?
KJ: Well for people that don’t really know
my work I try to let them go through my work and develop a feel for
my style on their own. From what people have commented and voiced…
I have a way of portraying the everyday in a different way. I strive
to really get the angle of things that you don’t normally see. I
try to make everything I shoot more interesting. I love strong color
and contrast. That’s what I typically hear in my feedback.
Gavin:
You're currently at SLCC majoring in Photography. Why SLCC instead of
a school with a more extensive program?
KJ:
Well for now I chose SLCC because of time constraint. Not only do I
do my photography on the side but I have a fulltime job. I really
wish I could quit and live off my photography work fulltime. I think
my plan is once I have the basic classes finished and have a
substantial foundation on experience & class work established
I’ll look elsewhere for more specialized classes.
Gavin:
What brought about the decision to start your own photography
company?
KJ: I finally made the decision to start my
own photography business on the side because I feel like I have
something to offer that no other photographer has. Now of course a
lot of artists say that about their work. I know that digital
photographers are dime a dozen but some just don’t have that “eye”
or talent. I’ve seen a lot of photographers that rely solely on
Photoshop to salvage an already bad photo. I don’t believe in that
at all. Those programs are to HELP your photography not be the
backbone of it. I jumped for it over a year ago and put everything
and anything I had towards getting my business going. It’s all I do
anymore. I work on an everyday basis to keep it rolling. Scouting,
promoting, scheduling, researching, etc. I love everything about the
art.
Gavin:
Was it difficult to get it started up or did things flow pretty well
for you? And how has business been since opening?
KJ:
Getting things really rolling wasn’t too hard at all. Once I had a
direction I would go for it. The main thing that held back the pace
of it all was money, Of course. I would see what other photographers
on MySpace were doing and see if I could apply it, in my own way, to
my photography. Some where heading towards the extreme of modern art
and others where sticking towards more of the traditional spectrum.
I’ve tried almost all realms. I have sold stock photography on a
global website. I’ve done weddings and portraits. There are areas
I’m still striving for like publication and art/photo competitions.
Gavin: Aside from the portrait work you do, the
majority of your work is still-life and nature. Was that something
you had a passion for, or is it something you're exploring as a
photographer?
KJ:
I have only recently started to really get into portrait work. I
suppose the reason that most of my work is still life and nature is
because it’s the easiest to work with! Ha-ha-ha. Don’t get me
wrong I love to be able to tell someone’s story with their portrait
but it is tough working through that first 30-45 minutes of them
being uncomfortable! But once it starts rolling its pure magic. And
again, it’s probably time constraint. It can get tough to schedule
meeting up around 2 separate work schedules.
Gavin: Do
you find it difficult to make a career out of doing this, or has it
come relatively easy for you?
KJ: As far as a career in
photography is concerned, it has been tough scheduling things on a
consistent basis. This summer has been tough. I’ve not only had a
shift in routine but with rising prices of everything! I’ve noticed
people emailing me about photo sessions have dropped. I’ve heard it
from quite a few local artists. It’s been a tiny bit discouraging
and rough.
Gavin:
Expanding a little locally, what's your take on the local art scene,
both good and bad?
KJ: I have to admit, I’m really
disconnected from our local art scene. I don’t really have any
local art junky friends. If I hear about a fundraiser or local art
show going on, I usually try to go or see what it’s all about. As
an artist myself, I don’t like that I’m not as involved as I
should be or want to be.
Gavin: Anything you think
could be done to make it bigger or better?
KJ: I really
think that as a city Salt Lake could really use some more main stream
promoting of the arts. No one could ever have too much art exposure,
especially on the younger level. Kids really need to have a healthy
exposure to the arts. Music, theatre, crafts etc.
Gavin:
What can we expect from you the rest of the year?
KJ: I
currently don’t have much planned as far as projects go but you
just never know when an idea will strike! With the seasons shifting
soon, I have a habit of shifting focus and really getting creative. I
would really love to work with a few artists closely. I wanna do some
collaborative work/project. I have a few ideas brewing. But who
knows!