Today we’d like to introduce you to Cary Jobe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a boy’s boarding school in rural VA called Woodberry Forest School. From an early age, I picked up a camera to capture images for the high school yearbook and also to express my life through a lens. I spent summers with my family on the Maury River near the now famous Sally Mann and was forever inspired by her beautiful large-format work. Post-college (I was a painting major and photo minor) I moved to Colorado and became an Outward Bound instructor and photographer. I was an outdoor enthusiast but it took a few years to figure out that that’s not what I loved to photograph per-say, even though I could spend my waking hours outdoors. I was most drawn to the journalistic/editorial National Geographic shots from human interest stories (taken by William Albert Allard, David Allen Harvey, etc) on one level and then fine art photographers like Sally Mann and Immogene Cunningham (amongst so many others) on another level.
I decided to end my ski photo lifestyle in Aspen and moved to Boulder where I assisted Mark Sink in Denver in my 20’s to explore the fine art and commercial world while shooting sporadically for a newspaper to explore my photojournalism interests. I then pursued a personal project on child trafficking in Nepal and India for three months followed by a trip to see the photo editor at National Geographic. Aside from an NGS award, nothing more came of the yellow mag. I did shoot for Nat Geo Adventure and Nat Geo Traveler freelance but then excepted a staff travel photographer position with Southern Living Magazine which prompted a move from beautiful Boulder to Birmingham AL for three years. Needless to say I missed the west even though I actually loved my job on many levels. When that stint ended (as a result of the economy tanking) I went back to Asia to continue my project on girls rescued from the brothels, then returned to Boulder to reinvent the wheel. It took a while to nail down, but I eventually discovered a new passion for the combination of fine art /editorial for commercial purposes. My current work of the last handful of years focuses on portraiture and fashion for editorial and advertising purposes. I love what I do, the people I meet and work with and my current life shooting in studios and on location. I feel fortunate to know my passion and make it a reality and am so excited to connect with more ad agencies and creatives throughout Denver and Boulder who share my vision and want to collaborate!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being an entrepreneur and running a photography business involves wearing many hats. There are always peaks and valleys in this business and if I could, I’d love to hire a business manager to take care of all the non-creative details … especially marketing … but such is the life of a freelancer at this time. I love what I do so that makes it all worthwhile.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
In a nutshell, I am a cinematic portrait, fashion and travel photographer who captures beauty in an evocative and lyrical way. My approach combines fine art with commercial to create a more authentic experience.
I love immersing myself in any project whether that be studio or location. I work hard to elevate the imagery through layers and lighting and enjoy working with all types of people, channeling creative energy into the production of stunning visuals… sometimes with a dream team of art directors, stylists, assistants and client on set, and sometimes just myself, my assistant, and my camera. I enjoy both approaches. My work encompasses portraiture, fashion, branding projects, commercial shoots for US and international companies, as well as months-long humanitarian NGO collaborations. I have shot throughout the U.S. as well in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia, including a six-month project in Nepal and India documenting young girls rescued from the brothels of India.
My personal aesthetic tends toward soulful, fresh and layered but with my wide-ranging experience working for many years as a magazine staff photographer and photo editor, I take a pragmatic, albeit creative approach to any project that prioritizes my client’s desired results and budget.
I guess what I am most proud of and what sets me apart from others is that I offer a unique and authentic eye to my imagery. I always enjoy my clients and am excited by each project I work on small or large and I believe that is felt on the other end. I try to make each shoot fun and creative.
Any shout outs? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Thanks to Peter Dennen in Portland Maine for being my photo consultant, to Agency Access and Photopolic for their support. Thanks to all the hairstylists, make-up artists, models, stylists, studios, and wonderful creative community in Denver and Boulder that I have worked with. Too many names to list!
And the inspiration of all my colleagues! You know who you are!
I am:
Supported by: PHOTOPOLITIC as well as AGENCY ACCESS
Photo Consultant: PEDRO + JACKIE
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.CARYJOBE.COM
- Phone: 303-818-9139
- Email: cjobephoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: @caryjobephotos
Image Credit:
©Cary Jobe
Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
