What is your Secret?
(EDIT 4/2/11 – I updated this with a new HD video, much better than before)
The secret is this. Fall in love often and recklessly. Fall in love with your camera, fall in love with natural light, fall in love with the Elinchrom Octa, fall in love with your film but most of all… fall in love with your muse. Rinse and repeat for years, maybe even a decade.
I’ve been thinking a lot about muses lately. Muse is defined as “the source of an artist’s inspiration” which means it could be just about anything. I think models have always been a huge source of inspiration, historically and personally. For me being a muse is more than just beauty, more than just being talented, and more than being able to help create amazing images. A muse needs to make me struggle, to suffer, to really, really feel things I don’t want to feel.
The best of friends in life are the ones that push you the most I think, and by that same token the best muses for my photography have been models that made me work harder. Emotionally and artistically. I’ve had dozens of favorite models over the years but there are only a handful that have transcended to a muse.
Katherine Franco
My first muse, we met in 2001 – almost ten years ago. I met Katherine before I knew much of anything about photography, all I knew was I was interested in it and I wanted to know more. Over the years we have yelled at each other, she has made me cry, I’m sure I’ve made her cry, we’ve gone months without speaking, we’ve been on road trips, we’ve laughed until we were out of breath, we’ve talked for hours about boys, girls, love, life, pain and most of all I’ve tried to convince Katherine (over and over) that she is as close to perfect as anyone ever needs to be.
All the while my photography evolved (and for some years revolved) around her.
I’ve known Katherine longer than I’ve known my wife. She has always been a friend, never a potential girlfriend (even when we were both single) and that is important I think, at least for me. One of my favorite things about our relationship is the proof that you can be close to someone without letting it get complicated with… well, you know. Heather Hankins left a comment on my facebook page that perfectly describes this, “The inspiration from a muse transcends the natural instinct of sexual expression.” So well said.
If you want to become a better photographer and a better person, find a muse and shoot. I shoot a lot of people, and I’m always looking for my next 10 year model… but they’d have a lot to live up to because I absolutely love this one.
The greatest hits of the last ten years with my original muse. You’ll notice her change and my photography style change… over and over. This is important too.
Music courtesy of the INSANELY talented group Mountain Hymns. Listen to them for free at http://soundcloud.com/mountainhymns – by the way, the singer is also my cousin, Seaver Yates, of Farmington, Utah. He’s a pretty cool guy, but he sure bugs me about giving him a free steak a lot… 🙂
Some really fab shots; great article; and tell your cousin the music is brilliant!! I will go and have a listen!
It’s so cool when you have someone you can make art with and not be dragged down by the rest of it. Trust is an awesome thing!
Beautiful video, Jake.
It really stirred my soul.
VERY cool.
This… for lack of better expression.. SO AMAZINGLY COOL! How lucky both of you are to work and grow together so much over a decade. That is so special and almost unheard of. It’s so fun to watch how you’ve grown as a photographer and how she has grown as a model simultaneously.
Hey man, this is just incredible. Don’t want to get all sappy or anything, but watching that really did almost bring a tear. Katherine is amazing, and it’s so cool that you’ve had such a long and productive friendship/partnership.
And your cousin’s band has a new fan. What a unique sound.. love it!
Jake
I just was turned on to your work by Penny Boven. I was floored by your work. If I could ever have a mentor it would be you. If you would ever allow me the opportunity to sit in on one of your shoots I would be greatful. I am very interested in learning more about your beginnings do you have anything published or not? I think I have my muse. I guess what I am looking for is your experience in how you first began to evolve your style this I feel would have an impact on me beginning to find mine or maybe just identifying what is already there waiting for me to take hold of it and run.
Billy
Jake, I have maybe a dozen website bookmarked and your blog is one of them. I stop by almost every day to either take a look at images I have now seen dozens of times or to re-read posts like the one above about Katherine. I am inspired by your pictures, but also by your spirit and love of photography. Thank you
I see why she was your favorite for so long. She’s stunning! I love your photography and I’m always interested to see your new work. It inspires me!
Simply perfect in everyway- “Katherine” and your work!