We have the honor to introduce Jake as the guest judge of the Haze Photo Contest. Jake Olson is an award-winning, internationally published photographer and graphic artist from Blair, Nebraska. Since pursuing his passion he has been published throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Today his photos can be seen in the book ‘Focus on Nebraska’, published by the Omaha World-Herald. His images have also been published by Vogue, UK, Digital SLR Photography Magazine, Photography Master Class Magazine, Huffington Post, BBC and National Geographic's Daily Dozen. Jake also has images on dozens of book covers around the world. Learn More.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself, how do you describe your photography style?
Jake: My photography is very simple with a strong focus on subject body language, Light and strong composition using leading lines typically roads in the Nebraska Countryside.
2. When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?
Jake: I started doing photography two and half years ago after coming back home to Nebraska from Denver Colorado. I was in the high end retail industry for years but after the economic collapse I started on a new life path and it’s really paid off.
3. That is a great story! Jake, what has been your favorite shoot and why?
Jake: I’m a portrait photographer and I shoot seven days a week from May to November. I meet a new family every single night and I honestly don’t have a favorite. People who get family photos seem to have a great sense of family structure with a strong focus on closeness. It’s hard to have a bad time when you consistently work with people like that!
4. Do you remember a difficult photo shoot session? What happened?
Jake: I’ve had sessions where everything went bad. I only shoot outdoors so weather and client cooperation with young children tend to be the deciding factor on the quality of the final product. I had a session where people came all the way from Indiana to Nebraska for photos and their two year old daughter would not stop crying during the session. I actually had to produce and image where the couple was kissing and the daughter was off to the side crying. I also gave them a lot of narrative walking away images.
5. Now please tell us, what do you carry in your camera bag?
Jake: Three things. A Canon 5D Mark III Body, 24-70mm 2.8 Canon L II, and an 85mm 1.2 Canon L II. I don’t own a flash or reflectors and I light all my subjects in post and with natural light in camera.
6. What advice can you share with other photographers?
Jake: Never listen to anyone when it comes to your passion, photograph what you love until you perfect it. Other photographers don’t pay the bills. Clients do. Make your clients happy while feeding your creative appetite and you will thrive!
To see more of Jake's photos visit his ViewBug profile or download his iPhone app.
