Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Jasek.
Hi Amy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Dad is a photographer, and I grew up learning from him and hanging out in his darkroom. He took me photographing with him often; he gave me my first camera and helped me make my first print when I was 7. So, photography has always been a part of my life! I started taking it seriously when I was 23 (2003) and discovered my passion for street photography on a trip to Rome. At that point I focused on learning proper exposure (with a 35mm film camera) and spent time honing my skills and developing my eye. In 2010 I built a darkroom in my basement and started making my own prints; I also began exhibiting my photography that year. A couple of years later I dove in to the photography community, specifically the film community since the bulk of my work is film. I got involved with the Film Shooters Collective; I still run the website and Instagram. Building community is important to me, and something I love! In 2018 I decide to try professional work, using digital photography, and since then I have been working to build up my business, although it took a back seat until this year when I became an empty-nester. Now I am going full speed ahead on client work as much as possible, and am also teaching workshops and speaking to groups about photography. Recently I joined the committee of the Texas Photography Festival, and I’m excited about the opportunities it offers to bring photographers together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While my passion for photography has never wavered, the amount of time I have been willing to devote to it has not been constant. My top priority for many years was being a stay-at-home mom, and this meant I wasn’t willing to take on any work that would interrupt family time. There’s a lot of competition out there, with so many people being professional photographers these days, and I find it challenging to get a foot in the door now that I have the time to really get into the work. Doing the work is pure joy for me; finding the work seems to be the most difficult part!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Black and white photography has always been my specialty. I grew up on film and fine art photography, and my Dad pretty much only worked in black and white, so this is how my eye developed. This is the way that I see. Because I am so film-focused, I use my digital camera the same way I would a film camera: I do everything in camera rather than in post processing. I’m not into the bells and whistles; for me the person / scene in front of my camera is beautiful to begin with. My job is to showcase the natural beauty there with the camera, using the light I see. My experience with street photography helps me be able to predict and catch the important moments at events like parties and weddings. Everything I do is connected. I feel like my passion for the craft of photography and my analog, documentary style set me apart as a photographic artist rather than just a photographer. Being able to come up with a concept and confidently execute it with either film or digital, every time, is something I am proud of. I understand light, I understand exposure, and I can work in any kind of light.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Building community makes me happy, as well as sharing knowledge, because I love people, and know how important it is to pass on what you’ve received. I think of my professional photography as a service, and this also makes me really happy. People deserve to have good photographs, and it gives me a lot of joy being able to provide them with this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://texasgirlphotography.com
- Instagram: @amyjasek
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasgirlphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@texasgirlphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/texasgirl-photography-round-rock
