Have you met Jasenka?

[Dahlia Ambrose]

This time around we learn a little more about Jasenka, @jasenkag

• Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.

What got me interested in photography doesn’t have much to do with visual arts. I’m a careful observer of people and when I was really young I enjoyed following people, even spying on them and annoying them by taking their photos. I used to literally hide in the bushes and take secret shots of carefully selected people I found intriguing. I had a film camera when I was 10 but I was driving my parents crazy because I was wasting too many rolls of film. They bought me a digital camera when I was 15.

Around the same time, I started working as a freelance photojournalist for the local newspaper in my hometown in Serbia. I think they hired me because I was a badass high school kid who wasn’t afraid to shoot anything they asked me to. That resulted in many troubles and adventures.

Later on I switched from photojournalism to concert photography since I love rock concerts. Capturing the rapture of musicians on stage is still one of my favorite things to do!

Generally speaking, my personal interests, as well as paid projects, have always revolved around photographing people. This is a bit strange because I’m a typical introvert  – perhaps being a portrait photographer helped me reduce my social inhibitions.

In addition to photography, I enjoy writing (mostly autobiographical stories) and making perfumes (I have a mini lab at home).

• What is the best advice you have received so far regarding photography?

I graduated from a digital media college in the US and my photography professor was a cool guy who always gave us very personalized hints and tips. He taught me to never settle for boring shots. If an image doesn’t make you stop and dive into it, it’s pretty useless regardless of the concept.

• How do you maintain inspiration?

I shoot something every day – if there’s no one around, I shoot self-portraits.  I usually have so many ideas in terms of locations, compositions, and colors that maintaining inspiration was never an issue for me.

• What is your favourite subject to shoot & why?

I have to be terribly honest here – my favorite subjects are pretty long-haired guys, mostly musicians and other artists. I highly praise androgynous beauty in men, it leaves me mesmerized. On top of that, it feels very intense to work with people I feel attracted to – transforming sexual tension into creativity is not an easy thing to master, but I can say that I’ve got a pretty good handle on it.

• Do you have a favourite type of photography?

Besides portraiture, I like most urbex and abstract photography.

• How would you describe your photographic journey to date?

Initially, I was a self-taught photographer who wanted to learn much more and that’s why I decided to enroll in digital media college and learn photography, videography and graphic design in a formal way. I already had a BA degree in linguistics when I decided to attend one more college and get another degree. In retrospect, that was the best decision I’ve ever made, since I wasn’t really happy with my first degree and I couldn’t find any decent job at the time.

Right now photography is something in between hobby and a second job for me – I still do those paid assignments such as weddings and occasional fashion shoots but I prefer doing my own stuff without any limitations. Working for clients is always a bit restraining.

• Are you currently involved with any photography projects? If so, what?

I’m currently working on a boudoir session with a beautiful female painter.

• If you could only use one camera/lens combination for a year, which would you choose?

Probably any full-frame camera with a 50mm prime lens.

• What is your favorite image right now?

One of my all-time favorite images is this one – Imogen Cunningham, Dream Walking, 1968.

• Is there a photographer that inspires you?

There are many of them but I’m always back to classics. I like dark aesthetics, the combination of decay, innocence, and sensuality. Sally Mann hits all the right spots for me. Sally Mann, At Warm Springs, 1991.

• What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?

Finding clients with good taste and enough money!

• Is there anything specific you intend to learn or improve in your photography?

I don’t use a flash that often, I’m used to continuous sources of artificial light. I should dedicate more time to experimentation with flash photography.

• If people want to follow more of your work where should they go?

o Facebook

o Instagram

o Website

• Provide links to 3 or 4 of your favourite images that can be displayed with the interview

cc: @admin

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Here is a list of our members who were featured in the past if you would love to read. I have attached a link to their profile and their interview.

If you were featured before but not here in the list, please accept my apologies and leave a comment. I will look again, find the link and add it here! 🙂

Diane Wehr   @albirder : Introducing Diane Wehr

Tobie   @tobiepsg : Introducing Tobie

Rob Eyers  @reyers   : Introducing Rob Eyers

Duncan Stewart  @falxy : Introducing the Falx

John Thompson  @nikon-nut : Introducing Nikon nut 

Valery  @valeryp  : Introducing Valery

Tom Dinning  @tomdinning : Introducing Tom Dinning

Christina Brown  @Chrissiebee : Introducing Chrissie Bee

Bobbie  @bobbie : Introducing Bobbie

Gordon James  @gordonjames : Introducing Gordon James

Chris Pook  @chrispook  : Have you met Chris Pook?

Erik Fransman  @erik-fransman : Have you met Erik Fransman?

Gary Zerbst  @garyzerbst  : Have you met Gary Zerbst?

Allen Furst  @3pco : Have you met Allen Furst?

Jim  @Mistyisle : Have you met Jim?

Frogdaily  @frogdaily : Have you met Frogdaily?

Robert Apple  @robertapple : Have you met Robert Apple?

Steve Matten  @stevematten : Have you met Steve Matten?

Cornelia Acorn  @corneliaacorn : Have you met Cornelia Acorn?

Gray B  @grayb : Have you met Gray B?

Dahlia Ambrose  @dahliaambrose : Have you met Dahlia Ambrose?

Patrick @patrickw : Have you met Patrick?

Dave  @pentaxfan : Have you met Dave?

Peter  @peternowak : Have you met Peter?

Beaky @ozride : Have you met Beaky?

Graham Hart @diripics : Have you met Graham?

Daniel Krueger @drkrueger22: Have you met Daniel?

[JasenkaG]

Thank you, @dahliaambrose. In the meantime, the boudoir session with the painter I mentioned was already published, so if anyone wants to see it, it’s here – https://jasenkagrujin.com/gallery/natalija-boudoir/

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Jasenka. Love doing the interviews and it was great to know a bit more about you 🙂

[Dave Watkins]

Hi JasenkaG. Enjoyed learning more about you. Wonderful body of work you’ve produced. Also love that Imogen Cunningham shot you linked to. Very cool.

[JasenkaG]

Thanks a lot, Dave. Yeah, I love that shot by I.Cunnigham, such fine use of double exposure!

[Peter Nowak]

Hi Jasenka. Nice to know more about you. And very interesting reading. And great images at your blog & instagram.
I especially like “Finding clients with good taste and enough money!”. Thats hilarious! 🙂

[JasenkaG]

Haha, thanks Peter 🙂

[Patrick]

A Brilliant read thank you Dahlia 🙂

Hi Jasenka  i really enjoyed reading about your journey with photography ( i have this image of you hiding in bushes 🙂 .. You are extremely good at your craft your photos clearly show you have great creativity and technical skills across the board.

Thank you very much for taking timeout to write some words for us and really nice to know a little more … I tip my hat 🙂

 

[JasenkaG]

Thanks a lot, Patrick.

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Patrick 🙂

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

I did not know you had a linguistics degree! Great to know more about you. 🙂

[JasenkaG]

Yeah, I guess I enjoyed being a student for a long time 😀

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

Somebody really ought to offer you a job. 😉

[JasenkaG]

Hahah <3

[Federico Alegria]

@jasenkag
Really nice to know more about you mate!

[JasenkaG]

Thanks, Federico.

[Frogdaily]

Love reading these … so nice to read about your journey Jasenka and getting to know a little more about you

[JasenkaG]

Thanks a lot 🙂

[Tobie]

What an interesting read! I was going to ask for a link to your boudoir session (that’s something that always mesmerizes me!) then I see that you did mention it.

Nice shoot! The one with the dog is my favorite! 😀

[JasenkaG]

Thanks a lot, Tobie 🙂

[LeanneC]

It is so interesting to learn more about you Jasenka! I am guessing not too many portrait photographers would call themselves introverts. Definitely forces you out of your comfort zone! Thanks for sharing.

[JasenkaG]

You’re welcome 🙂 Thanks for reading!

[Charmaine Joubert]

Loved learning more about you, Jasenka. Thank you for sharing.

[JasenkaG]

You’re welcome 🙂

[Beaky]

Thanks @dahliaambrose Really enjoy the interviews.

@jasenkag Thanks for sharing your story and so nice to know a bit more about you and your work.:-)

[JasenkaG]

You’re welcome and thanks for reading 🙂

[Dahlia Ambrose]

You’re welcome Beaky 🙂

[Author]

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