I met Jason a few years ago in Austin, Texas and have always admired his work. We’ve kept up with each other over the years on Facebook and at the occasional photo convention. I recently saw one of Jason’s tweets that had a photo of his new toy. (well new to him) it was a 1970s era Yashica G 35mm camera.
I had just bought the very same type of camera and had not used it yet so I got in touch so see how he liked it. I found out that Jason has been shooting a lot of film lately so I thought it would be great to do a little interview for the Beat-up Camera.
BC: Was there an event you can point to that prompted you to make a career of creating photographs?
JD: Yes. It is a story that is told all the time. I was an “artistic” photographer when a friend approached me to shoot his wedding. I also had NO plan on shooting weddings, I didn’t want to deal with the crazy brides or their moms. So as the months passed he just kept asking me to do it and with an understanding that if i could do it my way then I was game. I knew I did NOT want to shoot weddings like every photographer out there. I didn’t know at the time how I wanted to shoot them I just knew i wanted to be a little different then the rest. So I shot the wedding and raced home and told Allison that this is what I wanted to do for a living and the rest is history!
BC: If you could create a portrait of anyone in history who would it be and why?
JD: My 10th grade teacher (tutor) – Mr Coen The reason for this is one that is really close to my heart. I am not the brightest person in the world (as you can see by reading this post) and all my life teachers, people, etc, etc would tell me “I could not do this or do that, I wasn’t bright enough” and Coach (Coen) never said anything of the sort. He pushed me further and further and never gave up on me. He doesn’t know it but he played a very big part in who i am today. Funny thing is I have been trying to find him for years and it is like he disappeared.
BC: What music are you into right now?
JD: I listen to everything, I MEAN EVERYTHING! My wife can tell what type of mood I am in by the music i am playing. Sigur Ros – relaxed Slipknot – stay the “f” away from me! but if i had to pick what is on most of the time I would have to say club music like this site here http://soundcloud.com/djseanperry
BC: What do you consider to be your artistic and aesthetic influences?
JD: Music and Kids – Done, Done and DONE! Music has so much emotion to it. Try and shoot a session with headphones on I am telling you, It is like you stepped into another world! Kids, let me tell you about kids! Kids live in this 5 min window – let me explain! The 5 min window is the present time and 5 min’s before and 5 min’s ahead. Kids do not care what happens on the outside of that window and if you can shoot and run a business that way you have made it!
BC: If you could choose between X-ray vision and mind reading which one would it be?
JD: Mind Reading for sure. Just to really know what people are thinking i think would be AMAZING!
BC: Read any good books lately? Any recommendations
?
JD: Yes I am reading a really great book called “the accidental millionaire” by Gary Fong (you might have heard of him 
What this man had to over come was unthinkable! Made me really think on what is really important in my life!
BC: I’ve noticed you are doing some work with film, what’s up with that?
JD: Film is my “out” or “therapy” when I am stressed on editing. It is not perfect, images are blurry with the cameras I use and I don’t care.
BC: What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
JD: My Polaroid Sun 660 or my Polaroid 210
BC: What’s are your feelings regarding the state of the portrait/ wedding photo industry in 2010?
JD: That is a loaded question. To me it is really good but I know a lot of photographers a struggling out there. listen here it is in a nut shell – get out there and embed yourselves in the photo community, Do something that is different and when that becomes the norm change it and do something else different.
To see more of Jason’s work check out the blog at jasondomingues.com/blog
