DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.
JIM - As far as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with photography. As a young boy, and all through my school years and even in college, I had a camera in my hand. My career began in 1993 as a commercial photographer in Seattle. I was always interested in real life moments, and when Katarina and I married, we decided to go for it and started our wedding photography studio. Since then we’ve photographed hundreds of weddings, and I truly feel it’s a privilege and an honor to be invited to photograph a couple on their wedding day. I can genuinely say that I love what I do. While I still photograph for commercial clients and frankly just about anything, it’s the thrill of a wedding day that pushes me onward. In recent years, my focus has adapted and evolved and my mission is to share what I have learned along the way and this is my newest passion: to pass on what I know, and help educate fellow photographers to get the most out of their careers.
DWF – How did you become a wedding photographer?
JIM - Shortly after my wife and I were married we were inspired to start photographing weddings together. Not long after we began, we realized how incredible it was to photograph a couple’s wedding day. We realized quickly that even though we thought we should be commercial photographers, the weddings were far more challenging and inspiring. I still feel the same way to this day.
DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?
JIM - The emotional connection that I have with my clients – the fact that I can communicate through the images we capture. Music, film, travel, every day people, classical as well as modern art allow me to reflect on how I interpret my clients and my subjects.
DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?
JIM - There are brilliant photographers all over the world. What makes us unique is that we focus entirely on the full story. Each couple regardless of what type of wedding they plan, walk away with a beautiful, custom designed art book. We consider our style to be less focused on “picture taking” and more focused on the clients experience. We help set the stage for the client to have a great time, and the beautiful photos – and moments – happen naturally and in great numbers. This is what makes our art books so full of joy, life and expression. It is real and absolutely thrilling to shoot and design work when process unfolds in this manner.
We call this the “The Experiencial Style” of photography.
DWF- If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?
JIM - I’d have to give a shameless but it is indeed my favorite tool of the trade: The BODA V3. For years I struggled with how to best manage my gear when I was on an assignment. Since I couldn’t find a bag that wasn’t cumbersome, awkward and only designed for storing equipment but actually functional, comfortable and kept my gear safe, I started coming up with designs on my own. Now, over 3 years after the initial BODA BAG launch, we are just releasing the BODA V3. www.goboda.com. A bag designed for use while shooting an event providing the photographer with single handed access to all their lenses and accessories. Comfort, Security and Ease of Use. (see the exclusive DWF preview of the new Boda right here)
DWF - You’re also speaking at the next DWF convention can you tell us what we can expect to learn from you at DWFC 2010?
JIM - We are going to talk about Story Shooting, The Experiencial Style of Photography and how to be a better artist and business person. It’s going to be a head spinning day and I can hardly wait!
DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?
JIM -
(See More Below)
DWF – How about some final words to live by?
JIM - Support your fellow photographers. We’re in this together and we need each other. Lift Up Your Community & Get Involved! I will be here for you on twitter: @goboda and @jgarnerphoto as well as facebook: jim garner, seattle
Location – Seattle
Business Name - J. Garner Photography
Websites - www.jgarnerphoto.com
3 Comments at "An Intimate Interview with Jim Garner"
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Jim, My husband and I could have spent hours listening to you yesterday! Thanx for a great seminar at the road show!
Great Photography! Just love your photos and your Albums
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