Jamie Nelson, talented photographer

I was able to get an interview with Jamie Nelson, the photographer published in the popular Zink, Linie De Luxe, Plaza and Highlights magazines. His work is also displayed in art galleries around the world.

I was absolutely in love with his photos the first time I looked at them.

She uses bold colors and graphics that really stand out to the viewer. Alive is a great word to describe her art, and yes, it’s much more art than fashion, it’s the kind of paintings you’d hang on a wall to enjoy every day.

His work is very different, as quoted by Anti-mag: “Well, I dare say he’s pushing the envelope in that genre of photography and he’s doing it very well.” Another great article on

http://www.antimag.com/jamienelson.htm

I hope you enjoy the article as much as I do.

What are your inspirations?

Jamie: I’ve never been very inspired by other photographers. I have always been inspired by life experiences and my deep desire to share my passion and vision with people.
I am mainly inspired by the day of the shoot, when the entire creative team comes together to create.
I am inspired by the chaos of the days of shooting and the beauty of the final result created by various artists.

When did you realize you wanted to do what you are currently doing and when did you start?

Jamie: I was in my senior year of high school preparing to apply to Stanford for the pre-med program.
Haha, thank goodness that didn’t happen!
I took an art class and fell in love with photography and completely changed my direction.

What are your favorite items to use in your art?

Jamie: I enjoy bold, colorful clothing that makes a graphic statement and transforms the model.
However, lately I have been obsessed with photographing beauty and cosmetics.
In the same vein, I am inspired by bold, colorful makeup that creates graphic statements on the model and transforms her.

Do you have a favorite product or equipment that you use when creating your art?

Jamie: I really don’t like to stress the importance of the team.
It’s never been about what kind of equipment I use.
I was always the poor kid in school with the junkiest camera.
Everyone likes to ask this question, but actually, in my opinion, there is no special magic team.

Are you part of any online or offline community of artists?

Jamie: My favorite online community lately has been http://www.iqons.com.
There are some really amazing talents out there.

Do you have a favorite piece that you have photographed?

Jamie: I enjoy shooting stuffed animals for some reason.
It was a phase I went through for a while.

They have been frozen in time with their last move or action in life.
They are calm, silent, but bold. They seem to be a general metaphor for my images.
I would like my models and images to maintain the same tranquility and timelessness.

What themes do you have in your art?

Jamie: Work tends to be bold, whether it’s colorful or colorless, there’s always an element of boldness.
Every image is brilliant and perfected, even if the content is harsh, raw, or dirty.
I have a lot of vintage aesthetics in each image, a juxtaposition of various eras that inspire me.

Do you see yourself moving in new directions?

Jamie: I see myself moving quickly into the commercial arena.
After being successful in major ad campaigns and magazines, I would love to settle down a bit and focus on getting back into directing fine art.

Where can people see or buy your work?

Jamie: My work often appears in internationally distributed magazines at Barnes & Nobles and Border’s. Although some are obscure foreign magazines that can be hard to find.
I am also doing more art exhibitions locally and internationally. The most current will be one in Rome in May.

What experiences or training have helped you grow as an artist?

Jamie: There are so many elements that have helped me grow over the years.
The school was very important to develop the technical aspect of my photography.
Having a strong team of other creatives around me has really made the artistic vision and flow easier to hone.

Shooting constantly and practicing always teaches me something new.
When takes go terribly wrong I love it and get emotional, I always learn a lot from it!

Did you go to school or take any classes to start?

Jamie: Yes, I went to the Brooks Institute of Photography in CA for 4 years.
I also took an art class in high school, which initially sparked my interest in photography.

What advice would you give to beginning photographers?

Jamie: Develop your own style. Stay true to that. Try to get your work to as many people as possible.
Be persistent. Be willing to make sacrifices for what you want