Jesse Sandler (Delaware) |
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Jesse Sandler is a self-proclaimed "New Yorker displaced in Delaware", where she attends the University of Delaware. The New York native is a creative mind who combines her passions of fashion, writing, and photography to capture her unique concepts. Whether she's shooting portraits, landscapes, or live concerts, the freelance photographer finds a way to put her personal touch on whatever is in front of her.
Freelance model from Baltimore Maryland, Kate Christofano spoke about working with Jesse Sandler;
"The friendship developed while we were working together because she is just so much fun to shoot with! We bounce ideas off of each other and come up with some unique concepts. Some of my favorite shots in the past year have been photographed by her. This girl is going places!
Check out Kate Christofano's portfolio by clicking here...
"The friendship developed while we were working together because she is just so much fun to shoot with! We bounce ideas off of each other and come up with some unique concepts. Some of my favorite shots in the past year have been photographed by her. This girl is going places!
Check out Kate Christofano's portfolio by clicking here...
Interview by Casen Carr
When shooting with models, do you typically create a concept around the model, or construct the concept first, then find a model that may complete the shoot you had envisioned?
I usually build a concept and find anyone who would be willing to be dragged onto my project! I have a lot of ideas for projects in the notes of my phone and after some location scouting I can usually convince a friend to work with me even if they don't think they are photogenic. There are also instances where the model needs specific content and we collaboratively plan a concept around it. My best example of this is when I work with my musician friend and she needs promotional photos. Not going to lie, there are times where we just find a location and wing it!
I usually build a concept and find anyone who would be willing to be dragged onto my project! I have a lot of ideas for projects in the notes of my phone and after some location scouting I can usually convince a friend to work with me even if they don't think they are photogenic. There are also instances where the model needs specific content and we collaboratively plan a concept around it. My best example of this is when I work with my musician friend and she needs promotional photos. Not going to lie, there are times where we just find a location and wing it!
What’s the biggest challenge you face as a freelance photographer? Are these challenges common amongst photographers or is it more a personal challenge?
For me personally, finding clients has been an uphill battle. I see other students my age, that I either went to high school with or go to school with now, who are finding clients left and right, and I haven't found out how to do that well quite yet! (I'm getting better, though I think!) I used to just shoot with friends for fun but when I wanted it to be a little more than fun (AKA bringing money into the picture), people were less responsive. Which brings me to an issue within the freelance artist community as a whole; being paid what we are worth. People don't realize how specialized art is. Photography is much more than clicking a button, there's knowledge (and cost) of equipment and lighting, knowing how to pose and compose, and don't get me started on post production! Photography is not behind as much of a barrier as it used to be.
For me personally, finding clients has been an uphill battle. I see other students my age, that I either went to high school with or go to school with now, who are finding clients left and right, and I haven't found out how to do that well quite yet! (I'm getting better, though I think!) I used to just shoot with friends for fun but when I wanted it to be a little more than fun (AKA bringing money into the picture), people were less responsive. Which brings me to an issue within the freelance artist community as a whole; being paid what we are worth. People don't realize how specialized art is. Photography is much more than clicking a button, there's knowledge (and cost) of equipment and lighting, knowing how to pose and compose, and don't get me started on post production! Photography is not behind as much of a barrier as it used to be.
What inspired you to get into photography?
There's a very specific story and evolution behind this for me. When I was about 11 or so, my family and I were on vacation in Puerto Rico. I remember being in the pool and hanging out by the wall to talk to my mom, who was sunbathing, and just seeing something that was almost picture perfect. I got out of the pool. posed it, and borrowed my moms old point and shoot to take the picture since I didn't have my own camera or even a phone (which would probably not have a camera, or at least not a very good one at that time now that I think of it). I took a few shots and excitedly showed my parents, as you do at that age. To my delight, they were genuinely impressed with it. I pretty much stole my moms camera from then on, just experimenting with random stuff.
There's a very specific story and evolution behind this for me. When I was about 11 or so, my family and I were on vacation in Puerto Rico. I remember being in the pool and hanging out by the wall to talk to my mom, who was sunbathing, and just seeing something that was almost picture perfect. I got out of the pool. posed it, and borrowed my moms old point and shoot to take the picture since I didn't have my own camera or even a phone (which would probably not have a camera, or at least not a very good one at that time now that I think of it). I took a few shots and excitedly showed my parents, as you do at that age. To my delight, they were genuinely impressed with it. I pretty much stole my moms camera from then on, just experimenting with random stuff.
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I think I was about 13 or 14 when I got my first DSLR, which only increased my hunger to create. I shot mostly landscape until I attended a photography sleepaway camp-intensive thing in Vermont called SOCAPA after my freshman year of highschool.
There were other intensives within the camp, such as acting and dance, which gave us photography students subjects for headshots. I fell in love with portraits. I caught on quickly to lighting and posing, and in this case with dancers, timing. |
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This was my photographic turning point. I went to this camp two more times, in their other two locations (LA and NYC; why it took me until my last year to go to the closest city is beyond me) and grew exponentially each time. The final time, I had my first conceptualized project as part of the program. I chose to create a series of photos visualizing what it feels like to live with mental illness. I've done another project on the topic this past January. After that last year at SOCAPA, I started to really see myself doing this in the long term.
It is clear you don’t solely stick to one type of work as you have dabbled in everything from portraits to performances, as well as landscapes and concept pieces. What is your favorite type of shoot and why?
As I described in my "evolution" story, I used to solely shoot landscapes. Depending on where I am, I somehow find it creatively limiting. Maybe because I can't manipulate or control it. If I'm traveling and I see something stunning and the light hits just right, I will absolutely take pictures and like them, it's just not what I go after anymore. Also in a lot of these places all I think about is how I can style a shoot around it. Performances are a blast to shoot, since you just feed off of the person/people's energy and capture this amazing moment in time. It would be an absolute dream to tour with a band, if I'm being honest, because you get to shoot the performances, behind the scenes, and portraits on the down-low. I think my all time favorite thing to shoot is concept pieces, though. From the conception of the idea, to planning it, to executing it, is all just exhilarating to me. I love to tell stories whether it be with words (writing minor, here!) or with images, or even a combination of the two. I just get so excited when I think of a new idea, no matter how big or small.
As I described in my "evolution" story, I used to solely shoot landscapes. Depending on where I am, I somehow find it creatively limiting. Maybe because I can't manipulate or control it. If I'm traveling and I see something stunning and the light hits just right, I will absolutely take pictures and like them, it's just not what I go after anymore. Also in a lot of these places all I think about is how I can style a shoot around it. Performances are a blast to shoot, since you just feed off of the person/people's energy and capture this amazing moment in time. It would be an absolute dream to tour with a band, if I'm being honest, because you get to shoot the performances, behind the scenes, and portraits on the down-low. I think my all time favorite thing to shoot is concept pieces, though. From the conception of the idea, to planning it, to executing it, is all just exhilarating to me. I love to tell stories whether it be with words (writing minor, here!) or with images, or even a combination of the two. I just get so excited when I think of a new idea, no matter how big or small.
When using film, are there specific moods/tones that come with that compared to digital equipment? In other words, are there specific things/shoots you prefer using film or digital with?
I've only just begun my film journey, but I've quickly learned that I like to shoot small details, or landscapes. I look for things that are timeless, so if I take this photo in 2019, someone could look at it 20 years from now and not know if it was taken in 2019 or in, say 1979. Even moments with friends can be timeless. Candids are an awesome thing to catch on film and it gives this crazy wave of nostalgia. Something I experience a lot is something called Anemoia, or Nostalgia For A Time You've Never Known, and I think film is the perfect medium to both fulfill this feeling while creating more at the same time.
I've only just begun my film journey, but I've quickly learned that I like to shoot small details, or landscapes. I look for things that are timeless, so if I take this photo in 2019, someone could look at it 20 years from now and not know if it was taken in 2019 or in, say 1979. Even moments with friends can be timeless. Candids are an awesome thing to catch on film and it gives this crazy wave of nostalgia. Something I experience a lot is something called Anemoia, or Nostalgia For A Time You've Never Known, and I think film is the perfect medium to both fulfill this feeling while creating more at the same time.
Do you style your models before a shoot or do you leave that aspect to them? Why or why not?
This really depends on if the model asked me to do a job for them or if it's my concept. I do give my input to the models when they style themselves because I'm a) a control freak and b) a fashion major. I do really enjoy style shoots myself though so it gets the exact right tone that matches the location and concept I am going for. Plus it's just fun to play with clothes and to see how they move and photograph. Styling shoots is so rewarding and it brings all of my passions together; those being fashion, photography, and writing. The latter is a more abstract part of styling since I believe all photos tell a story and the style is a big part of that story.
This really depends on if the model asked me to do a job for them or if it's my concept. I do give my input to the models when they style themselves because I'm a) a control freak and b) a fashion major. I do really enjoy style shoots myself though so it gets the exact right tone that matches the location and concept I am going for. Plus it's just fun to play with clothes and to see how they move and photograph. Styling shoots is so rewarding and it brings all of my passions together; those being fashion, photography, and writing. The latter is a more abstract part of styling since I believe all photos tell a story and the style is a big part of that story.
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How do you view Instagram in regards to photography? Do you feel like it enhances or even takes away from the art or intention of the photographer, or photography as a whole?
This is a tricky question. I like how Instagram can connect you to people and give you more exposure as an artist. But sometimes that exposure doesn't quite have the reach and market you are looking for. It also poses the issues of comparison and competition. It's nice to be able to add some commentary on a highly conceptualized image, but they way IG messes with image quality and crop (oh my god the CROP). |
There's also a lot of repetition in the field where one big photog will start an trend and that's all you see for the next two months. It's not to say you can't try a technique or idea that someone else has put out there, it's the matter of making it your own so both you and the original photog stand out as great individual artists.
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With your move from NY to living in Delaware, what do you think Delaware could use to make it a better place? Or would you say Delaware is fine where it’s at?
It's hard to compare DE and NY. I grew up about 45 minutes away from the city, so I had the perfect balance of nature, small town, and urban spots. Delaware definitely has the nature part down, but there's not as many interesting locations to shoot. Every shoot I've done down there, we've had to get real creative to make it something special. I think there just needs to be more trendy spots with something unique that draws people to it. Basically what I'm saying is there needs to be a Brooklyn, Delaware. |
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Has Delaware made any impact on your work or you as a person in a way that you might have not been introduced to in New York?
I can confidently say yes, Delaware has made me a stronger photographer. As I said before, you need to get really creative with how and where you shoot, but that's also a great skill to have as a photographer- to be able to make something out of nothing. I've also had the honor of being a staff photographer for UDress, UD's fashion magazine. Being a part of this publication has taught me so much and I have produced amazing work with the UDress team. The people I've connected with here are also such a blessing. They're all so willing to go along with my whacky ideas and I've made good friends out of it. People are so nice in Delaware that it's almost suspicious; coming from New York, everyone is on a mission and they want you out of their face. Here, everyone is warm and embracing, it's absolutely lovely. As a whole, I think I've become more adventurous and less afraid as a person and a photographer because of all the support and just genuine kindness that I think you just don't get in New York where it's cold and competitive.
I can confidently say yes, Delaware has made me a stronger photographer. As I said before, you need to get really creative with how and where you shoot, but that's also a great skill to have as a photographer- to be able to make something out of nothing. I've also had the honor of being a staff photographer for UDress, UD's fashion magazine. Being a part of this publication has taught me so much and I have produced amazing work with the UDress team. The people I've connected with here are also such a blessing. They're all so willing to go along with my whacky ideas and I've made good friends out of it. People are so nice in Delaware that it's almost suspicious; coming from New York, everyone is on a mission and they want you out of their face. Here, everyone is warm and embracing, it's absolutely lovely. As a whole, I think I've become more adventurous and less afraid as a person and a photographer because of all the support and just genuine kindness that I think you just don't get in New York where it's cold and competitive.
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