Art & Life with Jordan Thompkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Thompkins.

Jordan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
For a long time, I said my story as a photographer began when I got my first digital camera, a red Kodak EasyShare, at 14, but it actually began before that – when I was about nine, my mom bought me my first camera phone, and that is where it truly started. At first, the camera was more like an extension of my vision, a way for me to take pictures of things spontaneously that intrigued me. Then in 7th grade, I made a Tumblr, and that’s when it started to grow. I began to conceptualize photographs before taking them, focusing on more technical elements. Photography became less of just an extension of my eyes and more of an expression of my mind.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I would say that I am primarily a portrait photographer, although I do feel like some of my work has gotten a bit more documentary in recent years. The connection between these genres that attracts me is their focus on people. I primarily shoot with my Canon T3i, but I work with film, as well (mainly 35 mm, Instax, or disposable). Film photos can effortlessly inject a more intimate feeling into a photograph compared to digital, so I love working with it whenever possible. I take this into account when I’m picking a medium to photograph in because when I photograph someone, I want the picture to really feel like them or the character I have created. When someone else sees the photo, they should feel like they know the individual, or at least like they want to get to know them. Photographs can have the ability to be evocative without a clear narrative present, so even if a photo does not visually reveal a lot about the subject personally, I want viewers to still feel like they are experiencing the person nonetheless.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
It’s become easier in the sense that now, because of social media, people from all around the world can potentially share their own work, even in the most remote places, and find your work, including brands and publications. Life has also become harder, by that same token. The market has become hypersaturated with artists, all trying to get the attention of whoever they think will like their work, and so it can feel difficult to find ways to differentiate yourself.
I think something Atlanta could do to help emerging artists and art thrive is by promoting more publications like Voyage; that is to say, more publications that will feature the “not so known”s of the city and foster a feeling of togetherness within the art community.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Right now, a lot of my work is mainly on my Instagram (@jordant.photography), but I have a Vfiles account (@jordantphotography) where I post some of the outtakes that don’t make it to Instagram. I also do videography, so I made a Vimeo recently (vimeo.com/jordanscamcorder).

The biggest thing people can do to help support my work right now is to just spread the word about me. If you like a photo of mine, share it, follow me, tell your friends about me, tell your friend’s friends about me; help get my work in front of as many eyes as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vfiles.com/profile/jordantphotography/vfiles
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/jordant.photography
• Other: jordan-the-photographer.tumblr.com

Image Credit:
Photographer: Jordan Thompkins

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