Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaquan Brockman.
Jaquan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My origins as a photographer began when I got my first smartphone with a decent camera and in this case, it was the LG V10 back in August 2017 since it had both a wide and an ultrawide rear lens as well as a Pro mode to manually adjust settings such as the shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus, and exposure. However, I didn’t officially consider myself a mobile photographer until I purchased a 1st gen iPhone SE in December 2107. Between December 2017 and June 2020, I used my smartphone as my main shooter, but I began to save money for general purposes in 2019, but purchasing a camera wasn’t on my mind while I was saving. What pushed me to purchase my camera was attending a massive, citywide protest at the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and seeing countless photographers with their cameras documenting the protest. I ended up purchasing my camera the very next day. My first photoshoot was an impromptu shoot downtown with a friend of mine, but my first official photoshoot was done for a summer project I was doing for a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh called Youth Enrichment Services. Not too long after that, I was connected to PGEnt, LLC through a friend of mine for a networking photoshoot in August 2020, and from that moment my photography really started to take off. In almost the past two years of working with them, my photos have been published and featured in publications a total of six times as of this interview and I have had my photos featured in the “Invaluable” art exhibition at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), curated by Ariette, a studio art major at IUP and founder of AlayStudios.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It honestly has not been a smooth road for me. One of the first struggles as a photographer that I experienced was my camera body falling as soon as I pulled it out of my camera bag to shoot a gig at a nightclub, so I was forced to take it to the shop for repairs. The cost to repair was about $450, so I was unable to start shooting again until I paid off my balance and got my camera back from the repair shop. I have experienced a similar with my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. That lens in particular is on my camera body 90% of the time and is perfect for pretty much everything with a few exceptions, but nonetheless an amazing lens to have. This lens, in particular, had a damaged aperture circuit and the cost of the repair was $645, so I essentially had to readjust to using my prime lenses which wasn’t an issue, but it can be difficult trying to shoot group photos in closed areas since you have only but so much room to back up. Outside of this, there really weren’t any challenges that I had to endure.
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?
So, I’m a photographer and specialize in portrait photography, but I have a growing interest in street photography and capturing the essence of Blackness in America in all facets. I want to think that I’m best known for my creativity and willingness to capture controversial and provocative concepts and have no regard for those who may get upset. I believe that the fact that I am unhinged whenever it comes down to photography and I truly believe that truly sets me apart. There are periods when I stare off into space while listening to music and think of all different types of photoshoot concepts that break the walls of traditional photography and enter the realm of visual storytelling. Nothing is off-limits whenever it comes down to controversy and I know that if I were a studio artist such as a painter or had the capacity to draw hyperrealistic images, I would be extremely problematic, but I am working on a few controversial photoshoots as of this interview so that’s not a barrier. I also believe that my capacity to network and utilize my connections for my photoshoots is also what sets me apart. For instance, my proudest moment as a photographer is having my photos featured in the “Invaluable” art exhibition at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania which highlighted the different facets and interpretations of Blackness in America to each artist, and the curator of the exhibition, Ariette, is also a special effects artist. We ended up collaborating on a 2Pac-inspired photoshoot where she applied the bald cap and we are currently in the process of collaborating on a few upcoming projects in the coming weeks and months. So all in all, the lengths that I go to bring my vision to life, including hiring an SFX artist is truly what sets me apart from others.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
To be truthful, I don’t believe in luck. Personally, I think that where I am today is because of God and His plan for my life. I have had my photographs published six times, seven times if you include this publication, and have been featured in an art exhibition. All of this is before my two-year anniversary of purchasing my camera which is coming up in June 2022 and I don’t think I would be here on my own merit without the people and connections He placed in my life. I believe that every move that I made in life and as a photographer has been predestined and I’m just living out His plan day by day and I cannot wait to see where I end up next.
Contact Info:
- Email: jaquan@jaquanbrockmanphotography.com
- Website: jaquanbrockmanphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ja.brock_
