Jackson Scott goes to China...well sort of!

The truth is that despite good relations with our local Mayor, and a good amount of begging to act as baggage handler and official trip photographer, Jackson Scott Studios is not going to China. But our pictures are on their way right now as part of a presentation introducing DuPont to its sister city of Qionghai (Hunan Provence).


Somewhat like the historic trip that pop group Wham! took to China in 1985, this marks the first time that Western photography (by Jackson Scott Studios) has been allowed past the Great Wall. 


Now we have to figure out how to promote the heck out of this... oh, I guess we've already started!

Squeezed in One Last Fall Shoot...Barely!

As usual, the Northwest wind came up and blew all (or most) of the beautiful leaves off the trees. But not before I got in one last fall leaf photoshoot. Super-fun couple Collin and Katie did a little posing in the park.


Unfortunately, DuPont groundskeepers had spent all day cleaning up the leaves the afternoon of our shoot. I would have preferred the ground was covered with leaves, but you work with what you've got. I shot from a low angle to get more of the leaves that were still on the trees behind the lovely couple. And as the sun all-too-quickly disappeared, I broke out the trusty flash.


We got some really nice pictures, and just in time. The wind came up that very night, and by the next day about half the leaves were stripped off the trees and the ground was once again completely covered.


Can't wait to hear what Collin and Katie think of their photos. I just feel fortunate to have gotten them done before the leaves were gone and the rain took over. Nice timing!

Just 'Cause You Say It, Don't Make It So...

In my ongoing attempt at "branding" my business, I find many examples in the world of what not to do. For instance, many experts say "Fake it 'till you make it," but if there's a major disconnect between what you say you are, and the reality that your public sees, it's going to be very difficult to make your message believable.


Authenticity is the key. And knowing what you are -- without trying too hard to be something you're not --  is an important component.


As for myself, I'm not a "Chic Photographer." But if I were, I would carefully present my workspace, myself, and every aspect of my business to reflect that name. I try to stay a little closer to my reality, and hope to present myself as professional, and just a little bit funky. It's pretty much who and what I am.


Now I just have to hope that's what the people want!

Fall is Here...Enjoy it While You Can!

Thank goodness Fall still has a few days of nice weather left in it. The nights have been cold...below 30 degrees in surrounding areas. And lots of grey days. However, I was able to get James Dodsworth out in the waning sunshine for a very nice portrait session. When we started, the Northwest skies were threatening rain, but the more I shot, the more James loosened up, and the more the clouds cleared. In fact, we ended up with a beautiful evening with fantastic light. The only bummer was that light was gone quickly and early -- darkness took over by 6:45. That always takes me by surprise this time of year after I've gotten used to our 8:45 Summer sunsets. I know Winter is on its way, but I'm enjoying this Fall stuff. I just need to get out in it while it's still light out!

Inspiration in Nature

There's nothing like wandering around in nature to find inspiration. Maybe this will be my entry in the next Urban Forest Project.

Debating the Darkside: Business vs. Art

Art and business have coexisted since at least the time of the Renaissance. Newly rich merchants, families with old money, and the ultimate business -- the Catholic church -- have long financed the lives of artists thus providing the means that allowed them to keep creating. 


Well known artists like Michelangelo definitely ran businesses, complete with accounts payable and receivable; professional facilities in the form of a studio/factory; and students and apprentices acting as employees. These early professional artists even marketed themselves by becoming members of royal courts, and cultivating relationships likely to bring them lucrative commissions -- an early form of social marketing!

But artists have long hated being labeled. So the debate about being called an artist or a business person; as well as deciding what is art and what is not, continues to rage.


I think about these issues a lot. But an article written by an acquaintance of mine is spurring me to respond with my two cents on the difference between art and business. Josh's original article can be found on his blog.


First, I think I can clarify the debate by starting with some definitions from Merriam-Webster online:


  1. Business: a usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood: dealings or transactions especially of an economic nature.


  2. Hobby: a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.


  3. Art: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also works so produced. 


One concern of Josh's article is the importance of deciding whether your pursuit of art is a business or a hobby. M-W's definition of hobby says it is an activity pursued mainly for relaxation, while a business is an activity engaged in as a means of livelihood. What I think Josh misses, is that not every artistic pursuit falls into these two categories. In fact, the word hobby can have truly negative connotations -- often being used as a put-down by those who consider themselves serious about art when describing other less serious artists.


In the art world, who doesn't fall into one of these two categories? How about artists who use their creativity to deal with evils and injustices they see in the world -- and sometimes to thrust this work into the public eye to shine a spotlight on these issues? These artists may not be interested in turning their creations into a business, but their work can not be considered a hobby. Or how about that little-known artist Vincent van Gogh? He passionately devoted his life to painting, but never sold a single work while he lived. Was painting a hobby for him?


So what happens when the art of a so-called outsider (like van Gogh) is discovered? There are modern cases of shut-ins, or secretive graffiti artists whose work is suddenly discovered and embraced as true art. Their work can end up in public and private collections, and the work can be represented by professional art dealers who make sure the artist is well compensated. Consider the very secretive street artist Banksy who is likely getting rich while few even know his true identity. Just because an artist begins making money from their work does not mean they automatically become a business person in the traditional sense.


In Josh's article, he goes on to say that as an artist, if you sell your work you have a responsibly to "consider what the customer thinks is valuable and change your work accordingly." This statement is completely wrong, and I think it's important to make the distinction about what separates an artist from a business person in other industries.


In most industries, a product is created to meet a need. If that product meets the needs of enough people, and the business can reach enough potential customers, that company has a good chance of being successful. Then if the business stays tuned into the needs of the public, they can tweak an existing product or invent entirely new products to sell. Speaking from personal experience though, as an artist-first/business-person-second, it's critical that I begin by creating a work of art that is unique to me. It first needs to communicate what I want to say, and look how I want it to look. If I'm going to put my name on this "product" it has to be completely true to my vision.


Only after I've created MY work of art can I think about how to sell it to others. The moment I start taking the pulse of the market first and creating second, I have reversed my emphasis and become less of an artist. If I were to start creating art and tweaking my output because I thought it would sell better, I would have to reverse my formula and become a business person/artist. It's a small but important distinction!


To wrap up today's discussion of this issue (I'm sure the debate will continue for a long, long time) I want to make a point about how this discussion relates to another even BIGGER issue -- the ongoing debate to answer "what is art?" While I can only answer that question for myself, the longer I'm around the easier it gets to say what is NOT art (think Thomas Kinkade). This art-as-a-product is any work that is created because it is likely to sell, and not because the artist felt a deep need to express themself. 


As an artist, I am not merely creating products. I create because I have a deep need to express something that is unique to me. I hope that others appreciate what I create, and that my creations make a lasting impact. But if that doesn't work out... I'll just keep doing what I want. Satisfied that I am doing what is right for me.

The short, sweet season

The Franke family enjoyed one of the nicest evenings we've had in the Northwest this summer, and got some really great family pictures to boot. I met them at one of my favorite locations in Steilacoom, and shot into the start of that magic hour.

There were the usual challenges working with a three-year old, but their daughter is adorable, precocious, full of personality, and quite a talker. It was really fun working with them. And though they're moving away soon, they'll now have some beautiful visual memories as souvenirs of their time living here.

Here are just a couple of the photos we got.

It's the busy season for outdoor portraits, and it doesn't last long around here. Who's ready for their family portraits next?

Group Dynamics

I took part in a really fun group photo shoot last weekend at the graffiti garages in Tacoma, WA.

The group shoot was organized by #Gary Walmer, and we were joined by model/jewelery designer #Emily Blodgett (plus more models, jewelry designers and makeup artists).

Usually when I'm photographing people, I have to stick to the script, and give them what they want...a professional portrait, cute pictures of the kids, etc. Group shoots like this though are a good opportunity for me to experiment, and work with other photographers. This time, I was able to do some fairly experimental shooting (using remote off-camera flash, shooting in low light, and using a very shallow depth of field).

Here are just a few of the shots I really liked of Emily. I feel that shooting like this gives me an opportunity to grow as an artist, and as a professional. Besides, it's just good fun, and in this case, I really like the results! To see more of these shots of Emily,click either of the above photos to go to my Facebook page, click on "Like", and leave a comment if you'd care to.

Hope to hear opinions from my "fans" soon!

Marriage in the Time of iPhones

I photographed a really fun wedding last weekend for friends Miki & Joey. I think I must be getting old though. I haven't been to a lot of weddings in the last five years, but things seem to have changed. And not for the better.


Before the ceremony, there was an announcement to "please turn off or silence your phones." Okay, that made sense...of course there was that one person who didn't and we all knew it when their phone started loudly playing "Cocomo" during the ceremony while they fumbled around trying to turn it off.

But I digress. What I want to comment on is the growing number of people who feel the need to document every moment of their existence. During the ceremony, I counted about ten people taking photos and video with their phones. I swear a few of them never actually looked at the ceremony except on  the screen of their iPhone. I mean, really? What ever happened to just being there and enjoying the moment?


So as the official photographer, there I was moving around the room, trying to be unobtrusive as I sought out a variety of good angles to capture the beautiful ceremony. All the while I was working around people holding their phones over their heads to get good video, or even getting out of their seats and duck-walking up the aisle to get a good photo. Oh yeah, and cue the guy with the phone that plays "Cocomo" for the second time in a 20- minute ceremony!


As a photographer, I know I'm often guilty of hiding behind my camera and not simply enjoying life au naturel. But as I grow more aware of the ever present nature of smart phones, I'll remind myself as I now remind you readers...


Please put the camera down occasionally and just appreciate the feeling of being part of the life that's happening around you. If you miss something, I'm sure somebody else got a picture and you'll likely find it on Facebook in five minutes!

Online Image Stolen and Now Viral!

Just wanted to post a short update on my earlier copyright posting.

Really interesting story making the rounds about an Israeli photographer whose picture was stolen and went absolutely viral. Whatever your feelings about an artist's right to his or her own work, this is worth taking a look at just to understand the times we're living in. As always, my opinion is if your work is important to you, slap a copyright on it before you put it online.

VIDEO HERE:
http://vimeo.com/20718237

How Much Self Should Be in a Self Portrait?

I don’t spend much time in front of the camera. Even for family events I’m often behind the camera and have to be reminded to pose for somebody else’s pictures. So what’s an inveterate behind-the-scenes person to do when the need arises for a “good” picture of them?

It’s self-portrait time!

As I put more of my work out in the world for art shows, contests, and publication, many ask for an artist bio that includes a photo of the artist. I did this for the first time last year. I set up the scene, set the camera on a tripod, and had my wife snap the shutter. I rather liked the result, but I got feedback that it was difficult to see what I looked like. (Thinking back, I’m pretty sure this was partly on purpose.)

The headshot

I decided this year it was time to try a close-up picture that showed more detail. This prospect was a little scary for me. (Knowing that no portrait is complete ‘till it spends time in Photoshop eased that fear a bit). After a recent portrait session, I sent the client on his way and took my seat under the lights with my trusty camera remote. I hadn’t had this kind of portrait done since college, and I was a bit surprised how much the results looked like a school portrait. A little self-conscious looking, for sure…but overall not a bad photo. I took a more playful take from that session, and adjusted the contrast, converted to black and white, and got results I liked even better.

An artsy alternative

For my last self-portrait try, I decided to use a technique I’d wanted to experiment with for a while. Using a slide projector as my main light source, I set myself in the path of a projected slide and shot five or six takes. The results are cinematic, and very much to my liking.  But maybe too far back in the direction of not showing enough facial detail.

All in all, this exercise in self-portraiture was a good experience, and I think it will improve how I shoot portraits of others. I encourage other photographers to try this yourself. But for anyone who needs a business portrait, find out how great a professional photographer can make you look.

By the way, if you have an opinion on my self-portraits, please share your comments below or visit my website at jacksonscott.com

Copyrights for Artists

Intellectual property rights are not sexy. But for most artists this is the only thing that protects our creations from being stolen and used without our permission.

It’s why I put my copyright on the face of everything I post online. The law is very black and white, but the way most people apply it is full of grey areas. One of the ways I’m trying to improve the situation is simply understanding the law and talking to others about it.

Several months ago I ran into an acquaintance who makes a significant part of her income hosting big events – not incidentally, she’s also an artist. I complimented her on some recent promotion she had done, and asked about the photograph she used. (I thought it might have been by a local photographer whom I know). She looked a little embarrassed and admitted to having appropriated it off the Internet.

We had a good conversation about it, and I told her what copyright laws meant to me as an artist. I suggested that next time she could try to ask a photographer for the rights to use their photo. Some need the exposure, and might do it just for a photo credit. I also suggested if she could afford to pay even a small amount, she could approach local photographers – or even photography students -- to get the image she wanted. She listened, and seemed to appreciate and understand. I felt good for standing up for the rights of all my fellow image makers.

Flash forward to last week. I saw this person’s latest promotion for another of her events. Again, she had used a very striking image on the poster (above).  I noticed there was no photo credit, so on a hunch, I did a quick web search and found this photograph, and others from the same photo shoot, were being used all over the place.  This makes upsets me, but it also just makes me sad for the photographer. It doesn’t surprise me that the general public doesn’t think about artists, our concerns, or our ability to make money from our creations -- but I do expect other artists to respect this.

I tried to track down the photographer who created this image, and make sure they knew what was going on. But for all the instances of image use, I could find no copyright or photo credit anywhere. I gave up on tracking the photographer down...I've already invested too much time in something that when you take it down to the personal level is none of my business. Instead, I want to learn from this incident in a general way, to serve as a reminder that artists need to protect their images!

Nice Portrait Session Yesterday with Kaley

I got an urgent call a couple days ago from one of my recent family portrait clients, with an emergency portrait need. Daughter Kaley has done some school plays, and now wants to move on to community theater at The Lakewood Playhouse. Auditions are next Monday, for Sweeney Todd (one of here favorites), and Kaley needed an 8x10 headshot to leave behind after her try-out. Could I do the job that quickly?

Well, I just got my home studio up and running last week, and was eager to give it a real-life tryout. So of course my answer was "yes."

We kept things pretty basic for Kaley's shoot, with dark clothing, plain background, and soft lighting to show off her pretty, fresh face. Kaley's not a big smiler, but I'm told she has a sassy and mischievous side. That's what we tried to bring out, and I think that's what we got. She and Mom were both happy. And I'm sure her headshot will help the casting director remember her after the audition. All I can say is "break a leg," Kaley!

"Oh I Never Get Sick...Oops!"

Despite often saying "I never get sick," I woke up yesterday with definite signs of a cold. Today, there's no doubt. Of course I usually say "I don't get sick"  because I believe I can escape sickness by denying it. This one snuck up on me. I was kind of low after realizing my photographer's co-op was not going to work the way I had hoped it would. I want fellowship with other art photographers -- in fact I need it -- but am not going to get it on my terms. This is one of those times that I just have to slow down, and let things happen more naturally. I've planted the seed, now I have to let it germinate. Forcing more water or more sunshine on that seed will probably just drown it.

So what does one do when self-employed, enjoy working outdoors with a camera, and you find yourself stuck inside on a day that's suddenly turned rather sunny and pleasant? How about a long round of photo editing and tackling that long-procrastinated web research? I'm looking for art conferences, festivals, and educational opportunities for the year. I'm committed to increasing my exposure in the art world this year, and taking every opportunity to network with other artists. If anyone has suggestions, let me know. 

Looking forward to Spring

It's hard to believe that Spring is coming -- it's been a cold, wet Winter here in Washington. But it's official; I just found out if I want to exhibit at the Olympia, WA Spring Arts Walk I need to have a venue and get my application in by February 11. The best venues fill up fast, so I need to find a place pronto, and decide what new work to show. I'll be looking for a space tomorrow, and just finished up the prototype for the attached wall hanging. This little dandelion will be 40'' x 7' (that's feet tall). It will be made up of 8 - 10x40 inch metal panels wired together. Although I took the picture last Fall, it's the perfect image to symbolize Spring. Now wish me luck in finding the right place for my Spring show, and this little guy's likely going to be the star of the show.