Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Cross
Hi Jamie, 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?
The first time I ever photographed on film was in my high school’s photography program in the early 2010s. At the time, they were fortunate enough to have a darkroom. I loved the development and printing processes. At the same time, though, I’m also someone who loves exploring different mediums. As I went on to college and beyond, I felt like I had trouble finding a niche and time to work on creative pursuits.
I took a Holga 120N and five rolls of portra 400 on a beach trip to Nags Head, NC in 2023. After that, I bought film for the 35mm cameras my family were gracious enough to pass down to me. With film, I found I could take my camera anywhere, capture the every day scenes I’d been trying to in different mediums, and experiment with how to convey them as I’d always wanted to. I had to start a new instagram earlier that year, but I wasn’t really one for posting on social media. So I decided to post my film scans on my account. Soon enough I found a community of people who are just as passionate about film photography and the history and chemistry behind it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t! I graduated college in 2020, so the entire world was very different from when I started my degree. Out of school I started a full time job in the food service industry that I still have, so I definitely have to find and really carve out time to work on creative work. I generally have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time, so that can definitely be a struggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work primarily in film photography. I try and capture the every day things we might normally take for granted, like the reflections of windows or an evening cup of tea. If I had to categorize my work, I’d say I mostly do slice of life and nature photography. I’m most proud of the way I’ve developed in capturing subtlety the past year. I’ve always been interested in the art of noticing, and I’m beginning to see all the nuances of the way I notice things in my photographs.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
When I’m working, I love to throw on a lo-fi beats playlist to keep me focused. As far as books go, Ask Iwata is a favorite of mine. It’s a collection of writings from Nintendo’s late CEO. It gives great advice on working with teams, learning from new perspectives, and not losing your passion for your pursuits.
Pricing:
- $7.50 for 5×7
- $9.50 for 8×10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jamiecrossart.wixsite.com/jamielynncross
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamielynn.cross
- Other: https://jamielynncross.etsy.com
