We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jackson Keys. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jackson below.
Alright, Jackson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I think all artists have caught themselves in this daydream of what it might all look like when we’re at the end of our career, whenever that may be. I think it’s refreshing to leave the thoughts of what my legacy may look like up to the wind for a while as I still consider myself very new to the creative world and I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do. But I believe I have managed to carve my own lane in Durham and the surrounding areas. Obviously, I’d love to be a world-renowned artist/photographer but what’s more important to me right now is that I continue to find ways to stay different. I got into photography purely off the joy and curiosity it gave me and if I continue to come at it with that attitude, and my work ends up selling in galleries somewhere, I know that it was created for the right reasons. And who’s to say I’ll continue with photos forever, I’ve recently been incorporating drawings and multiple forms of media into my photography and have loved learning and experimenting with different mediums. As I continue to “catch up” I would have no resignations potentially ending up in another realm, I’m just here for a good time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I’m a 20-year-old photographer and digital artist from Durham, North Carolina although currently, I’m a Commercial Photography student at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. I grew up around cameras, even making a few LEGO stop-motion videos when I was 5, but it wasn’t something I realized I wanted to do or had any chance of being good at until about three years ago. I pride myself on, what I believe, is my unique take on editing and compositions. I think my best work comes when I try to break the so-called “rules” of photography that I believe are restrictive at times and can limit artistic potential. I feel as if I’m just now scratching the surface of what could be a very experimental form of photography and digital art and I’m excited to continue to push my limits.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I never planned on being in the arts so to speak, now it feels like I’m just building a community of cool people that make and do cool things. I try to show love to artists and creators that I genuinely would want to work with or am inspired by, that way, if we establish a relationship going forward, it’s purely for the enjoyment of the other person’s art.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Tyler Shields’s interview with Film Supply Club really changed the way I not only approached photography but also what I do in general. His ideas about intentionality and value in oneself and one’s work encourage creatives to “stop making excuses, stop being afraid to do, and don’t be afraid to ask.” He asks “What would you change if someone was paying me a million dollars to take this photo if the answer is nothing, then great…if the answer is I would’ve spent more time lighting it, or on the set, on the direction, etc. than you need to do all those things.” I believe this time I’m in my journey is the most important because the habits and the amount of care I have for my work now, will affect how I think and create in the future. If I’m not carefully creating unique photos right now, I won’t have that originality or care for what I’m creating later on.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotbyjackson_/