Self Portrait: An Interview with Jordan Reeder
Q: What do you love about photography?
A: Everything. I was an artistic kid… I loved drawing and painting. My dad would take me to car shows and air shows and let me take pictures with his camera. (This was long before camera camera phones.) In college, I would ditch History to go to the darkroom. I’m equally passionate about the art and technology sides of photography. I dream about cameras. I’m not kidding.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A: Take pictures. Well… take pictures while traveling.
Q: Would you say your worst quality is that you’re perfectionist?
A: That’s what people tell me.
Q: How many cameras do you own and do you have a favorite?
A: I frequently trade cameras… right now I own about a dozen. I love the Phase One 80 Megapixel camera. The image quality is exceptional. But, my favorite of all time, is the Hasselbald 500 series. It’s heavy metal, man.
Q: Multiple Choice: How many camera bags do you own?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
A: If you add all of the above, you’d be close.
Q: What is your biggest fear? (Besides giving a cheesy answer to this question.)
A: That my clients won’t love their photos.
Q: True or False: You love full-size vans and classic Porsches equally?
A: Mostly true
Q: True or False: You believe everything at Costco is a bargain?
A: True
Q: Did you play any sports as a teenager?
A: Ice hockey and snow skiing
Q: What is your favorite photo that you took?
A: My answer to this question changes every few months. I always like to take new pictures and change what I put up on my walls. That being said, here are some of my favorites….
Q: What is your dream photography assignment?
A: Anything in Africa or Antarctica, because I’ve haven’t been there yet.
Q: You’ve taken photos all over the world, Europe, Japan, China, Norway… what have you learned on the road?
A: A cheeseburger at TGIFridays in Oslo costs $50.
Speed round:
Q: Dog or cat?
A: Dog
Q: Sun or snow?
A: Snow
Q: Beer or wine?
A: Both
Q: Fanny pack or photo vest?
A: Neither
Note:
Jordan Reeder is a San Francisco-Bay Area native. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design with a concentration in Photography and Digital Imaging from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He lives in San Jose with his two daughters. His studio is located in nearby Campbell. He hates talking about himself. He loves taking pictures of himself.
Mantra:
“If you ain’t first, you’re last” – Ricky Bobby: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby