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Interviews  / Stories

Interview: Photographer Jakob kjeldsen (Denmark)

Tell us something about yourself

40 year old father of two and loving soul mate from Denmark. Chief Financial Officer by day time and photographer by night time. Always carrying a camera with me so that I can be ready for that “once in a lifetime shot”


How and when did you get into photography?

I started roughly 5 years ago more or less in a protest. I entered a MTB race and the company that sold the pictures from it were charging a lot of money for poor work. So I thought that I would challenge them the year after and bought my first DSLR. I never ended up completing my mission but started to do a lot within sports photography. I quickly found a look for my pictures that I liked and people also seemed to like it to.


What does photography mean to you?

With a fulltime job filled with numbers, rules, administration then photography is my way of being creative. Financial people are rarely seen as being creative but I believe that I’m the proof that it’s entirely correct. Photography is many things to me – the search for the perfect picture, capturing moments and memories.

 

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I guess it is neither – perhaps semiprofessional? I do paid sessions but not full time. I am not fully ready to take the jump into full time photography.

 

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I believe that I’m still searching for MY style. My pictures has changed a lot during the past years – going from sport & action to portraits. I constantly try new ideas and techniques – and hopefully I will find my signature style that will be recognized. I have for the past year worked on a series ”The Beards” which has resulted in a lot of pictures of bearded men. All pictures are made in the same simple lighting and post processing – and someone might call that my style?

 

Where do you get inspiration from?

It started with some of the greatest sports photographers in Denmark whom I highly admire. I have spent countless of hours studying their pictures and techniques. Recently since my work is more portraits then I’ve found myself getting a lot of inspiration from Manny Ortiz and Miguel Quiles.


Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

I have a small black book were I write my idea’s as they come. I spend a lot of time visualizing the picture and thinking about planning, shooting and end result. Before a session I almost all the time have an idea of what I would like to have in the end.

 

What has been your most memorable session and why?

There has been a few and they are all unique in its on special way. I would probably say a wedding that I shot once. I’m not a wedding photographer but had to try that area. One wedding was just filled with a lot of love, passion and it showed in the pictures. The moments and personalities was captured and to this date, I still love looking the pictures.

 

Studio, on location or both? 

I am blessed to have my own studio. I like to shoot in a studio, trying different light setups and not having to worry about the weather. However, I shoot on location when possible and if the session requires it. Summer is coming so location shooting will surely be done much more.

 

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

It is hard to say cause inspiration can be many things – the pictures, the technique, the editing.

 

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Neither. I started out with Canon and as gadget freak I’ve been through a lot of cameras and lenses during my time. One year ago I tried the Sony mirrorless cameras and haven’t looked at Canon since. I sold all the Canon gear and moved fully to Sony. By main camera for portraits it the Sony A7rii with the Zeiss Batis 85mm – in my opinion the perfect setup for me and my photography.

 

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Shoot – shoot – shoot. Learn the basics and shoot in manual mode. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

 

What do you think of our new magazine?

Great – great source of inspiration and interesting to read.

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/fotografjakobkjeldsen

https://500px.com/jakobkjeldsen

https://www.facebook.com/fotografjakobkjeldsen

 

 

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