Featured Interview: Justin Grant

A Bit of Background

Can you give us a little peek in on the person behind the camera?

I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was born in 1972. I’m a single man with two teenage children, who now live with their mother in Austin, Texas. I like to consider myself a semi-simple person. I’m lucky enough to get to travel the world doing what I love to do, and get to meet some amazing people and experience amazing cultures and places. I love my life.

Where did you grow up?

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What influenced you into getting into photography?

In 2002, I borrowed my brothers SLR (film) camera and shot images of my children to give to family as presents for Christmas. We styled them out and had fun. The pictures turned out great, and the bug was planted.

Did you go to school for photography?

No schooling. I am not a patient person when it comes to learning. I’m much better at picking up a camera, fiddling around and learning at my own pace. The same applies to photoshop. I still only know some of the basic tools of photoshop because I haven’t focused long enough to learn about channels and some of these confusing things technical functions…haha. I believe by learning on my own, I was able to find my own style and recognizable look and feel.

What does your usual work-flow consist of?

- Pre-production is key – Finding the right locations, models, etc, is extremely important for a successful shoot. I rely on help from assistants, clients/ art directors , stylists, to help me find the best pieces for the desired shot.

- Time of shoot. I like to keep things as simple as possible. My stylists are a big key to success. They are always amazing at what they do, and great at relaxing the models. I try to make the lighting as dramatic as possible, to fit the desired image, but I tend to just go with the flow and not over-think the process. Being flexible and being able to adapt to situations on the fly is a big key success. Listening to the clients need and executing is something I pride myself in.

- Post production – Post work is my favorite thing. I get to relax, put my headphones on and do what I love to do. Photoshop! What I do in photoshop is kind of like sculpting. I work a photo til it’s just right. I zoom in and out, go where my eye takes me. There is no simple process, it’s just a feel for me. I clean things up, adjust by dodging and burning, contrast, etc, and then do it again and again until the photo explodes with power. I truly get a natural high from editing photos!

What type of equipment are must haves for you at any shoot?

Good camera – I shoot Canon 5D mark ii’s with a few fantastic lenses – Canon 28-75, Canon 28-105, Canon 70-200, and a Canon Fisheye. Lighting – I try to use as little lighting as possilbe to keep it simple and dramatic. But I have around 8 lights. Profoto and Elinchrome monolights.

Name 3 types of equipment you can’t live without besides your camera and why?

Mac Computers… for obvious reasons. iPhone, so that I can show people my work anywhere I’m at… when asked. And my lights – Lighting is key.

I started in film, but I’ve been digitial only for 7 years. As much as I respect the art of film shooting, I simply like to photoshop my photos.

What are the main components you try to achieve when composing a shot?

I like to compose my shots as simple as possible, with no distractions, balance and a sense of movement or emotion to add the drama. Balance is key when composing a shot – The ability to see this at the time of the shot is absolutely necessary for any successful photographer. Minimizing distractions at the time of the shoot is something that I’ve become better at over time, with experience.

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?

My source of inspiration simply comes from other photographers work, which I see in print ads, television, movies, etc. I also find inspiration in life itself. I’m always looking and observing, and I see shots all of the time. I wish I’d stop, get out of my car more often, and shoot these things that I see, but they are always in my mind for future shoots.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’ve shot in Kenya in the past, and would love to go back and explore more parts of Kenya, and other areas of Africa. The African people are the most amazing people to shoot and to be around. I plan on several trips back.

What has been your favorite location to shoot at so far?

Kenya

Do you shoot solo, or do you have an assistant?

I shoot solo about 50% of the time, and have an assistant on bigger shoots. I like help with setup and data transferring, but I really like to move my lights around myself, it’s my time to sculpt my lighting.

Post-Process and away from the lens

How have you gone about marketing yourself as a photographer and a business?

Marketing myself has been my week point. I’m not very agressive, and this shows with my marketing. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve success by simply having a website, social media, and word of mouth. I would never suggest following my path of marketing (minus having a nice, clean, website.)

My greatest challenges are always how to make a great shot with what you’re handed. In hind-site beautiful images make sense. But showing up on location, and being asked to make something great out of sometimes very little is a challenge. It’s not a cookie cutter process, and it takes a lot of creativity on the spot with others watching and expecting great things. It’s not easy, but I tend to relax in that situation and let “winging it” take over.

When you are not behind the camera, what do you do in your free time?

I’m a very social person. I like dinners and drinks. I also like to run, ski, boat (wake-surf), and watch baseball games.

Do you run any photography workshops?

I’ve never held a workshop, but I’ve considered it and am sure I will one day soon.

Mac or PC?

I switched to MAC about 4 years ago, and will never go back. PC’s seem clunky to me now and make me want to puke in my mouth a little.

What’s your usual post-process work-flow like?

Shot selection is first and foremost in my post production. Picking the right shot out of sometimes thousands of shots taken is half of the battle, and is an art-form in itself if you ask me. I do this in PS Bridge, it’s simple and to the point. Then as I mentioned above, it’s about working a photo in photoshop until it shines and pops.

Outside the box

Finish the sentence – “if I were not a photographer, I would be…”

…depressed and bored with life. Haha. If I wasn’t in a creative industry, I think I’d be a Psychologist. I’m a big fan of the human mind and cognitive therapy.

What would be the 1 piece of advice you would give to photographers just starting out?

Work hard to grow your style and skills and shoot as often as you can. Also, networking is just as important as the work itself. Make sure to utilize all forms of networking from physical networking to social networks such as Facebook.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a project for Sony Playstation Move. Images should be appearing in ads sometime in June. [Ed. Note: This interview was done prior to their release but you can see a great behind the scenes of the Playstation Move shoot on Justin's Blog.]

What are your goals 5 years from now?

My goals are simple – To continue sharpening my skills, and to grow as an person and an artist. The rest follows.

Editors Notes:

Justin Grant Photography can be found at :

Site: http://www.justingrantphotography.com/
Blog: http://justingrantphotography.com/blog/
Contact: http://www.justingrantphotography.com/#/contact/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justingrantphotography