We just love your work Jeremy, and the beautiful compositions that you capture! Kick us off and tell our readers what part of First Coast do you reside now and how long have you lived there.
I live in St. Augustine.
What is your favorite part of the First Coast to photograph?
Wow, great question, however, that depends on my mood. My first love is the beach at sunrise. I can never get enough of Marineland/River to Sea Preserve for both beach landscape and portrait work. The coquina rocks provide such a gorgeous and diverse element to every shoot. The tide and sunrise make every shoot unique. It’s a mesmerizing and peaceful location.
What type of equipment do you use?
I’m a Canon guy. Not because I dislike other brands. It’s just what I’ve used going on two decades. At this moment, I shoot with a Canon R5 body and the trinity of Canon RF L series lenses (15-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f.2.8) Other gear I use for landscapes includes a Really Right Stuff ball head mounted atop a Gitzo tripod. Since I shoot so much at sunrise I almost always use Lee graduated neutral density filters to even out the exposure between the sky and foreground. For portraits, I shoot off-camera flash almost exclusively so I use Godox strobes and tube lights with a variety of soft boxes, modifiers, gels, smoke, etc. Each shoot is different, but the majority are shot with a Godox AD400PRO strobe, backlit by the sun.
How long have you been part of the hobby?
I’ve had a camera in my hand for about 20 years, however I’ve been shooting professionally since 2011, and opened JKS Imagery/JKS Fine Art Photography in 2013.
Do you do any type of planning before you head out to take photos or do you just wing it?
The easy answer is absolutely every shoot. However, it depends on the shoot, the subject, the location, etc. The easy planning is to follow the weather, tide schedule, and specific sunrise or sunset location (I use an app for that). I’m always on the lookout for mornings with 40-50% high cloud cover to add the sunrise drama to both landscape and portrait shoots. I love to travel to locations as well so I will do much more detailed planning for those shoots. There were times when I would leave the house at midnight to make it to a location for a sunrise shoot. Or to a location where I will be hiking a significant distance to get the shots I’m looking for. Those instances obviously require much more planning than waking up and heading downtown St. A or to a local beach.
Are there any constants in your photography, if so what are they? (ie. subjects, editing, lens, etc.)
Every image I shoot is taken through post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop. The workflow process remains constant but obviously every shot is different. I set my camera up to keep the RAW images relatively flat so I can make the image as much my vision as possible rather than let the camera decide for me. Some is unavoidable but you probably understand what I’m saying. My equipment constants for landscapes are almost always the same, Camera with a 15-35mm lens with grad ND filter mount attached, mounted on the tripod, with a tethered trigger release.
How would you describe your style of photography?
Another great question. I never really thought I had a specific “style” but so many people tell me they know one of my photos when they see it. I suppose I would call it clean, sharp, smooth, and vibrant.
Do you edit your photos right after your shoot or do you let them sit for a while?
Typically I edit right after the shoot, unless it’s not feasible. The editing process is almost as satisfying to me as shooting the photo.
Where is your favorite place (or type of place) to take photos?
I gravitate towards the ocean or moving water like rivers and waterfalls. I am fascinated with creating images via long exposure (which is the majority of my landscape work).
If you could live in any decade (with your current photographic gear), which one would it be and why?
I would live right where I am, right now in this moment. I think this moment in history has all the beauty it ever had and it’s a blessing to be able to capture today for our future generations.
What photographer (current or historical) do you draw the most inspiration from?
I draw from so many folks but if I were to pick one, I would have to say Peter Lik for my landscape style. I will never forget the first time I walked into his gallery in La Jolla, CA. My mind was blown at what this man could do with a camera. Every image is so compelling and inspiring. I wanted to recreate that feeling in others. However there are so, so many other great photographers you’ve never heard of that I draw from, one being Ryan Smith from Colorado and Canadian photographer Kim Tannas. Their work is always gorgeous. For portraits, I am inspired daily by photographers around the globe, so I can’t even point to one specifically.
What do you think is the most important component to producing great results? (camera, lens, light, editing, location, artistic vision, etc.)
I think the most important part is composition. You can have the best gear, in the best location with the best light, but if the composition doesn’t have a clear subject with surrounding elements/lines that make the viewer get lost in the image then I will scroll right past it. With that said, its 100% about the light as well. A beautifully composed image that isn’t properly lit or exposed makes me want to scroll on by as well.
Is there a ritual that you use to get into a creative zone?
Nothing specific. I think planning is the only ritual that puts me in a much better creative zone than just heading out the door with my camera in tow hoping to find something to shoot. Having a goal or subject in mind really helps.
What outside (non-photographic) influences (if any) shape your photography?
I think everything I see, touch, and hear shapes my photography. I think it’s all connected to how I approach every shot, and how I want the image to feel to others.
What advice would you give someone who just picked up their new camera on how to get started?
I get asked this all the time. I would say to put that thing in manual mode and not look back. Shoot everything you love. If you love it, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks! Now if someone said I want to make this into a business right away, I would have a different conversation with them.
What is the goal of your photography? (A business, just to share on social media, gateway to adventure, etc.)
Great question. Goal 1: Bring me peace and joy. Goal 2: Make enough money selling my work/services to keep my equipment up to date. Goal 3: Inspire and help others learn photography
Do you shoot with your editing style in mind, or do you edit based on the shot that you got?
I definitely keep my editing style in mind, but you have to take what the scene and light give you. I absolutely base the time of day I shoot around my editing style.
Do you prefer to photograph alone, or in a group?
I 100% like to shoot alone.
How do you feel like social media has changed photography and do you think it’s a good or bad thing?
If it weren’t for social media, I don’t think my business would be where it is today.
What is the best way for photographers to network?
I belong to different groups, clubs, forums, and such. What I’ve really learned is a lot of professional photographers are unwilling to share their knowledge, or hesitant to answer questions. I think it may be due to how difficult it is to be “successful” in such a saturated, barrier-free field where anyone with a camera can advertise themselves a professional. I am not like that at all. I frequently hold meetups for photographers of all levels to join together and network to share how I shoot both landscape and portrait photography. The difference here is I do not rely on photography alone as my sole source of income.
Do you enjoy books? If so, any specific genre?
I enjoy non-fiction books, tutorials, textbooks… My wife thinks I’m weird.
What is your favorite photographic accomplishment?
Aside from winning awards and being published multiple times, my favorite accomplishment is actually remaining in business for over a decade, hearing people tell me how much they love my work, and all those clients willingly trading me money in return for a photo they intend to display in their home for years to come.
I mean, how cool is that?! I take that last part very seriously.
If you had a question you would like to ask another photographer what would it be?
Hey Peter, how in the world do you achieve the incredible depth of field in your work? It blows my mind.
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
I’ve lived all over this country as an enlisted Marine and all things considered, this is paradise to me. Aside from no mountains close by, we love everything about St. Augustine and surrounding areas up and down the coast.
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone?
From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this article. It’s an honor to even be here and I hope that readers stop by online and in person at vendor events we participate in. No purchase is necessary to say hello and ask questions 🙂
How can we see your work?
Website: www.jksfineartphoto.com.
IG and FB: @jksfineartphotograhy, and look for us at vendor events around the St. Augustine area.
- About the Author
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Glenn is the founder and publisher of First Coast Life. He is also a wonderful storyteller. Born on the 4th of July, he spends his spare time taking his camera and exploring everything beautiful this region offers with his rescue dog Callie by his side. He loves meeting new people and capturing the many beautiful moments and amazing local stories that showcase the true spirit of the area.
