Friday Art Star: Jason Janik

Jason Janik was born in Wisconsin in 1974, but has lived in Texas since he was four years old. He’s always loved taking pictures, though he never thought he would be a professional photographer. “I was always good at drawing, so I expected to be a painter or cartoonist when I grew up.”

When and how did you become interested in photography?

I didn’t get serious into photography, until I went to Richland College in the mid-nineties. I wound up working my way up to editor-in-chief on the school paper, then started picking up assignments at the Richardson city newspaper. Eventually, I wound up freelancing for The Dallas Morning News. My first assignment with them was in December of 1999, so I guess they’ve been a client for about ten years now.

The funny thing is that I backed my way into photojournalism. I was assisting at the Neimans studio, JC Penney’s, and other commercial studios through the 1990′s. I expected to go that route with my photo career. I guess I’m much better off where I am now, because I’m a very strong lifestyle shooter, but a pretty average product shooter.

Of course, most people know me for my music images. I lucked out, since it is such a saturated and difficult market to succeed in. Everybody wants to shoot music, but only a few people in Dallas actually make a living off it. I’ve been lucky enough to shoot for some big names in local music… Tripping Daisy, Bowling For Soup, Rhett Miller, etc. The local scene is where my heart is at, though I’ve enjoyed several fun national music shoots as well.

What gear do you mainly use?

Mostly a Canon 5D, 16-35mm 2.8L, 70-200mm 2.8L, and my Profoto AcuteB 600r kit. I like my lights a LOT! I do have a Hassie, Cambo 4×5, Holga, Diana, pinhole cameras, and others, but they rarely get used these days. I think it matters less about the gear and more about understanding how to use the equipment in your hand to it’s fullest extent.

What is your favorite genre to shoot?

I have trouble saying which is my favorite, because it’s like picking a favorite kid. I love the challenge and technical aspects of many of my editorial and corporate shoots. I love the huge paychecks and the collaboration that come with my advertising/commercial shoots. I love the energy and excitement that I capture in my music images. I love the joy I bring wedding couples when I shoot their big day. I love the mental release and the ability to work through some inner turmoil from my personal fine art projects. I just love them all differently.

I mainly shoot editorial work for magazines and newspapers, so that’s what I’m most comfortable with, I guess. A lot of people know me from my work with Quick, The Dallas Morning News, and Spin Magazine. Quick has been especially awesome to work with, since they give me a lot of latitude to try new ideas. Some have been pretty crazy, but wind up being the most popular covers. It’s hard to find a client so trusting in your madness!

If I could only shoot one genre? As long as it could pay all my bills, it would probably be my music photography. I get a great satisfaction from working with musicians. A lot of them have become friends over the years.

Many times photographers find themselves with a full schedule of paying gigs, and end up with little time for doing the work they truly love. Do you struggle with finding time for your personal work?

It is easy to fall into a cycle of only shooting the paying gigs, but I try to make time for my personal projects, too. I have one I’ve been working on for over ten years, and I’d like to travel more, so I can finish it up. I doubt that will happen any time soon, though. I’d need a big grant, and I don’t see that in my future. With three babies at home, I can’t just run off for a few days on a whim. Everything has to be planned and paid for.

Where do you find your inspiration?

For my personal work, it is probably pain and frustration. For my music images, it is joy and excitement. That sounds a bit bi-polar, doesn’t it?!?

What is one thing you feel makes your style or your work unique?

I try to keep my photos very simple and straight-forward. I usually add a bit of goofiness and cheesiness to my images. I think my style is easily-recognizable as mine, because most people are afraid to work the “goofy” aspect into their work. I can’t take myself too seriously…

Samples of Jason Janik’s work

If you are a photographer in the DFW area, and would like to be featured for our Friday Art Star, please email some examples of your work to info@photopolus.com