Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Jenkins.
Shannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My interest in photography began during my senior year of high school. I took hundreds of candid photos of classmates with a simple point-and-shoot camera. I even found my niche–taking pictures of people’s butts. I had a whole section in my senior scrapbook of butts. It may sound perverted now, but I just that it was hilarious back then. I didn’t realize it at the time buy I was preserving memories of an important chapter in our lives. Once I started college I stepped up my game with a basic 35mm camera. I loved all the celebrity portraits in magazines like Vanity Fair. So I started shooting portraits of my friends and my little sister. Eventually I started shooting weddings, and a little money started flowing my way. Now I concentrate on headshots, portraiture and fine art nudes. I guess I never got the butts out of my system.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh, there are so many struggles. For starters, photography gear is so expensive. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on equipment, and I still need more gear. It never ends. Another struggle has been the business end of photography. I just want to take pretty pictures. But, to make it these days, you have to be a skilled business person. You have to know branding, marketing, accounting. It’s completely overwhelming sometimes. Another big challenge is the market is so saturated. Anyone with a camera is a photographer. So you really have to stand out if you wanna survive.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Although I operate three different web sites, my primary focus is portraiture. With RS Jenkins Photography, I offer headshots, publicity photos, family portraits, etc. This site is a bit more general and family friendly. As for Flaming City Photography, I focus more on the LGBTQ community. There you will find portraits of everyone from drag queens to muscle daddies. Flaming City is sexy and fun. Finally, I recently launched the site www.RSJenkins.com, which features my fine art nude series Man Bits. These pieces use creative lighting to showcase the male physique. I’m planning to do a Lady Bits series soon, and I’m in the beginning phase of another male series as well. The Leigh Gallery in Boystown started carrying a few selections from my Man Bits collection this year. So I’m really proud of being in an art gallery.
I think one thing that sets me apart from other photographers is I strive to use Photoshop as little as possible. I work really hard to get everything right in-camera. I’ll fix blemishes and stray hairs and sharpen things up a bit, but that’s about the extent of my reliance on post editing.
Another factor that sets me apart is how I light my subjects. Lighting is such a major component of photography. I love playing around with colored gels and creative lighting.
Also, I’ve been told I have knack for making people feel comfortable in front of the camera. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable in front of lens it really shows in the photo.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is definitely a spectacular setting for photographers. The weather poses a variety of problems, but that’s just part of the business.
Pricing:
- Basic portrait and headshot session typically start at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rsjenkinsphotography.com, www.flamingcity.com, www.rsjenkins.com
- Instagram: flamingcityphotography, rsjenkinsphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlamingCityPhotography/
Image Credit:
RS Jenkins
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