Rising Stars: Meet Jason McKinsey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason McKinsey.

Hi Jason, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve wanted to be a photographer for as long as I can remember. Kind of a typical beginning – photo classes in high school and in college. I finally started working in photography full time in 2000 when I started working at a semi-pro lab in San Francisco. This was influential as the cheap processing and printing allowed for a lot of experimentation. My fellow lab-workers and I would share and critique our work as well as share prints. I still have some of the work that was shared with me from that time.

After the lab, I started working freelance and assisting a variety of commercial photographers while moving into the equipment rental side of the business. We were responsible for outfitting commercial photoshoots with their lighting and grip, as well as camera bodies and lenses. Because of where I was working, I got to play with a lot of gear expensive gear.

When my family and I moved to Denver, I tried moving my freelance business as well. I followed the same formula as when I went freelance in San Francisco – using assisting to supplement the freelance work. Unfortunately, I failed to realize that I had a community to help me out in San Francisco – referrals and whatnot. In Denver, not so much. Denver doesn’t really use assistants as readily as in San Francisco and the freelance gigs were harder to come by. Because of this, I took a corporate day job to support the family. I would occasionally give myself photographic exercises to complete or chip away at a long-term project but for the most part photography had moved into the background.

I joined the Rodeo Market Gallery and South Westminster Arts Group for a brief period to give myself someplace to show work. Always in the back of my mind was the need to stay involved in photography on some level and in 2018, I incorporated (again) with the intent to create involvement for myself. Initially, I was looking more commercial – headshots, portraits, etc. but eventually, I realized I wanted to show my work. I had a project I had been working on for over a decade – Celebrate Memories – and was ready to get that shown. I joined EDGE Gallery in 2019 in order to begin showing my work on a regular basis.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were stretches where I wasn’t taking any photos simply because it costs money, even with digital photography. And I wanted to spend quality time with my family as well. Not to mention, sometimes you just don’t feel inspired or you let the sense of doubt get to you.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Commercially, I work in portraits and headshots. I like working with people, getting to know them, and giving them a product that makes them happy. But that’s just one side of my business.

For over 12 years, I’ve been working on a project called Celebrate Memories, which documents roadside memorials. I’d kept it under wraps for years until I received a portfolio review with Houston Center for Photography. I knew I was getting ready to show the work but wanted to get a critique before I took that plunge. The process of a portfolio review was scary but the reception was much better than I expected. Based on that review, I decided to start approaching local galleries with the intent of showing this body of work as well as more to come. I was accepted into the legendary EDGE Gallery and was able to show select pieces from Celebrate Memories. Unfortunately, the country went on lockdown a week or two before my show was supposed to open. The show did open after being rescheduled a few times but the turnout was minimal due to the pandemic. It happens.

My next show with EDGE – which just ended – was titled #bmwtkbs and in my opinion, it was a success. I wasn’t creating new photos due to the pandemic and so I spent the downtime going through old work and giving it a new look. I used mixed media techniques to create various assemblages which touched on various themes. There were a couple of pieces touching on mental health. Some that focused on permanence. Even the universal application of communication was a muse. The feedback from our patrons was fantastic, invigorating. And just what I needed.

#bmwtkbs stands for Bite Me With This Kodak Bullshit and is a byproduct of my deep-rooted love of photography – especially analog and alternative process photography – as well as my concern that so little modern photography makes its way into the physical realm.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Not really. I occasionally buy books on photographic techniques and let them sit on my bookshelf. Or monographs – I love seeing what others are creating. But really nothing beats having a conversation with someone whose work you admire, asking questions, and working from there.

Contact Info:

• Email: jason.mckinsey@gmail.com
• Website: jasonmckinsey.com
• Instagram: jasonmckinseyphoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/JasonMcKinseyPhoto

Image Credits
©Jason McKinsey, all rights reserved