Photography

Nikon Ambassadors: The Honorary Title Only Few Achieve

Hi Jason, I happen to be a Jason as well and I'm a motion picture still photographer and not only that but I am a Nikon Ambassador so I can help you with that. Now I was lucky enough with a whole bunch of us over here that we were I believe the first seven official Nikon Ambassadors and it's an incredible honour. It's something which I could give away everything that I've got but I would hold that very dear to me because for someone like Nikon who I've been shooting since September 22, 1981, I think that it's just a massive compliment. You have to believe in the product, there's absolutely no doubt about that and clearly I do and have. I would never change, people say never say never but why would I? I shoot Nikon Z9, it's the best camera out on the market for what I do and it's happy days. Now as far as how do you become one, Nikon find you. It's not something that happens overnight, it's not a five year, ten year plan, it's something that takes a long time and it comes from relationships and being out there and helping other people, being a bit of a mentor and you know being able to guide people in the right way without saying the wrong thing. Sometimes I get into trouble because I didn't think because it doesn't come with a rule book. It's good to have ways of being about somebody so what you're gonna be is just a slightly different person.

I am a Nick on ambassador and it is an incredible honor that I have held for many years. To become one, you need to build relationships and be a mentor. It takes time and there isn't a rule book but it is worth it!

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To become a Nikon Ambassador, it's not a straightforward process or something that can be planned out over a specific timeline. Nikon finds you based on your relationship with the brand and your involvement in the photography community. It's important to have a genuine belief in the Nikon product and to build strong relationships while helping and mentoring others. Being a Nikon Ambassador is an incredible honor, as Nikon is a brand that many photographers, including myself, have trusted and used for years. It's a recognition that comes with time and dedication. And although there is no rule book for being an ambassador, it's essential to represent the brand in a positive and authentic way.

How did you get your first job working for a studio?

From Dark City to The Matrix: A Journey through Studio Jobs

Hi Brett. So yeah, good question. What was my first Studio Job? Well, In practicality. My first big Studio film was one called dark city with Kiefer Sutherland Rufus Sewell directed by Alex proyas it was a new line gig and how I got that. Is I heard about it and I flew over to LA or flew myself over to La went and had a meeting with the photo department there the photo editor and I walked out of the deal and I don't think I would have walked out with that deal if I hadn't have gone over there and done that and I was really lucky. That was so nice. I gave me a really good us deal so I learn the system straight away and then after that, probably my defining career film was The Matrix, the first Matrix. So I got given that and that was because they had to hire a local because they didn't have the money to bring anyone over. And for the next 10 years, I probably could have just had one line on my resume. The Matrix and I would have got hired and still to this day, actually that stands up some of my best stuff. And while some of my favorite stuff, I think I refine my work as I go along and it was interesting because I look back as a second pass, only film done 20, 25 years ago. And I look at my steals from that and it's kind of interesting images that I didn't tag in the first pass or wasn't interested in or just didn't do anything for me. They're actually more indicative of my style now. And when I get used to using using the app a little bit better, I'll put up some photos and I'll talk through him that and then and that way and and see how we go. But yeah, there's a lot to explore what to ponder. Okay, hope that's cool. Bye man.

My first big Studio film was Dark City, and it was a New Line gig. My defining career film was The Matrix, which I got because they had to hire a local. Looking back at my steals from the Matrix I can see how my style has evolved over the years.

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My first job working for a studio was on a film called Dark City, directed by Alex Proyas and starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rufus Sewell. It was a New Line Cinema production. I heard about the opportunity and flew myself to LA for a meeting with the photo department and the photo editor. I was fortunate to secure a good deal, which allowed me to learn the system right away.

However, the film that really defined my career was the first Matrix movie. I was hired because they needed a local photographer and didn't have the budget to bring someone from elsewhere. Having The Matrix on my resume opened doors for me for the next 10 years. Even now, it remains some of my best work and personal favorites.

Looking back at the images I captured during that time, I realize that some of the shots I initially overlooked or didn't find interesting are now more indicative of my current style. I plan to share some of those photos and discuss them in more detail in the future.

There's still much to explore and reflect upon in my journey, but those were some of the key moments that led me to my first job working for a studio.

How do you keep from being “star-struck” when you work with new talent?

Embracing Starstruck Moments: A Photographer's Perspective

Hey Missy, how you doing, buddy? Thanks the question. Yes, so how do I stop myself from being Starstruck with new Talent? Well, you know what? I don't because I do get Starstruck. I'm actually working with an actress at the moment who I have seen nearly all overworked and one of the series that she did in particular was absolutely amazing and she has the most perfect upper lip I've ever seen. On a human. And I was I've actually sat there and thought about photographing her before I got involved in this, current film. So I do get the photograph her and, and she's everything. And I wanted to be and so, yeah, I guess Starstruck, why not can do that? It's as long as, you know, is sensible about it, and don't let it get in the way of work but you know Starstruck is You know, just for something for me. Anyway, it's, you know, like really looking forward to working with someone, you know, I'm lucky that I get to work with some incredible people and I haven't had a bad one in years and years and I'm not going to answer a question that anyone throws at me about who are the bad ones. But I'll answer the questions of who the good ones, and you can work it out that way. So yeah, me see, nothing wrong with being Starstruck. But, you know, the biggest thing, right? The most times I get Starstruck is like, with Sportsman and stuff like that when they have Like a bit job on a film that really blows me away and just new Talent you exactly. Right. I think life has changed a little bit from when I first started, you know, social media of change things up and people really like the photographer, lot more. And because I'm a little bit older, as you can see, I'm lucky enough to have the background in the and the back record. So to speak and the younger actors actually get quite excited. Cited about having me there to take their photos so make their photos and so that's kind of really cool, you know. I'll give you a respect and nothing wrong with that so I get the respect back so I hope that answers your question. Followed up if not but I'm not going to tell you who I didn't like.

I don't mind being starstruck and it's not a bad thing. It can even be a positive, as I get respect back from the younger actors I work with.

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How do I keep myself from being star-struck when working with new talent? Well, the truth is, I don't. I do get star-struck sometimes. For example, I'm currently working with an actress whom I've admired for a long time. I've seen almost all of her work, and there's one particular series she did that I thought was absolutely amazing. She even has the most perfect upper lip I've ever seen on a human. I had actually thought about photographing her before I got involved in this current film. So yes, I do get star-struck, and there's nothing wrong with that.

As long as I remain sensible about it and don't let it interfere with my work, being star-struck is just a part of the excitement for me. I feel fortunate to work with incredible people, and I haven't had a bad experience in years. I won't answer questions about the bad ones, but I'm happy to talk about the good ones. Being star-struck is natural, and it's something I look forward to when working with new talent.

In recent times, social media has changed things, and people, especially younger actors, appreciate having me there to take their photos. I have a background and a track record that they respect, and in return, they show me respect as well. It's a cool dynamic.

So, there's nothing wrong with being star-struck. It's just a part of the excitement and respect that comes with working with new talent. I hope that answers your question, and feel free to follow up if there's anything else you'd like to know. However, I won't be sharing any negative experiences.

How did you get to be a photographer for Hollywood movies?

From Shooting Crew to Hollywood Fame: A Photographer's Unexpected Journey.

Hey D, thanks for the question. How did I become a unit still photographer? Well I used to have a company with my friends back on the Gold Coast and one of our clients needed someone to take over for four days of a television series. So I took the job and I loved it, I've got to tell you. But the funny story is because I have a newspaper background I shot it all storytelling and that style and I hardly had any photographs of the actors. So then when I came back to the publicist to show them he went through and he's like not saying anything flicking through and he goes there's only one photograph I can use here and pointed at it. And I'm like really? And he's like yeah it's all crew I don't want photos of crew I need photos of the actors and I'm like oh well okay I'll try and fix that up. So this was day two so then by day four I kind of got around to getting it right and funnily enough that one shot that he pointed at was the shot that they used to publicize the entire series. So that was my first foray into film stills and it nearly was the end of my career. So there you go.

I became a unit still photographer after taking over a job for four days of a television series. I was used to shooting in a newspaper style, so when I presented the photos to a publicist, he only saw crew shots and not the actors. I was able to fix this by day four and one of the photos ended up being the one used to publicize the entire series.

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Hey D, thanks for asking. How did I become a photographer for Hollywood movies? Well, it all started when I had a company with my friends on the Gold Coast. One of our clients needed someone to take over for four days on a television series, so I decided to take the job. I absolutely loved it.

Here's the funny part. Coming from a newspaper background, I approached the photography with a storytelling style, focusing more on capturing the essence of the scenes rather than taking individual actor portraits. When I showed the photos to the publicist, he went through them without saying a word, until he pointed at one photo and said, This is the only one I can use. I was surprised and asked why. He explained that he needed photos of the actors, not just the crew. I realized I needed to make some adjustments.

By the fourth day, I had figured out how to capture the right shots of the actors. Interestingly, that one photo the publicist had pointed at ended up being the image they used to promote the entire series. So, my first experience with film stills was a bit of a rollercoaster, almost ending my career before it even began.

And that's how I got started as a unit still photographer for Hollywood movies. It was a learning experience, but it ultimately led me to where I am today.

As a youngn' were you always inspired solely by photography in particular?

Unleashing Creativity: From School Skippers to Award-Winning War Photographer

I have a Nike little have a got that right? And my name is Jason Boland and that is such a good question as a young and we always, you know what was your inspiration? Well mine was me and my mates at school. We started saying that we're doing photography and we would go into the dark room and turn the red light on the do not disturb and do our things so to speak. But actually would sneak out and go for a surf and my grandparents thought that more sorry. My grandparents read newspapers. And they all everyone thought that I was like this dead Keen photographer, but in fact, we're using photography to get out of school to the point that the school thought we were as well, and they made us do the will asked us to do the school yearbook and I tell you now it was the worst year book in the history of any yearbook. The photography was atrocious and then the next level on top of that because my grandparents obviously thought that I was into it helped me get a job at a newspaper and And and I went there and I knew nothing which was pretty, pretty funny. And then I house is my I was a darker in Tech fair so I learn a lot and and I actually ended up being pretty good at it. But I had to do a technical college like a just a local College course on photography as part of my cadetship and I got kicked out in the first day it was it was pretty funny and it wasn't really Match that I did was literally just went around and he the the teacher wanted to know what sort of Photography wanted to be. And, you know, I got to Susie and she wanted to be a fashion photographer and it's like, you know, my name is Susie. I want to be a fashion photographer and then Mike is like my name's Mike. I want to be a commercial photographer that came to me and it's like, oh yeah, my name is Jason. I want to be a war photographer and the teacher stopped, and he said, so what was that? I said, hi, my name is Jason. He said, no, the part after that, I said, I want to be a war photographer and he said, well, there's no room for you in my Class. So you have to go and then I went back to see my boss and I thought that I was going to be an all world of trouble. He said, what are you doing here? And so I got kicked out, told him the story and I said, Jules do I have to go back and he said, no kid. You pass that course so! And then they, and then like three months later, I won the Australian, Cadet photographer, the Year award. So that was pretty rad. I or running out of time again. Well, there's not enough time for my motor mouth. All right, I hope that answered your question. It was a bit of fun. Cheers.

I was inspired to get into photography by my friends at school. After trying out a college course, the teacher said there was no room for me and kicked me out. But I ended up winning an award for being the best cadet photographer of the year.

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As a young person, my inspiration for photography wasn't solely focused on the craft itself. My friends and I would use photography as an excuse to escape school and go surfing. We would pretend to be passionate photographers, even though our skills were far from impressive. In fact, we were once tasked with creating the school yearbook, which turned out to be the worst yearbook ever made.

Despite my lack of knowledge, my grandparents thought I was genuinely interested in photography and helped me get a job at a newspaper. I had to learn on the job and even got kicked out of a photography course on my first day because I jokingly claimed I wanted to be a war photographer. However, I ended up excelling in my role and eventually won the Australian Cadet Photographer of the Year award.

So, while photography wasn't my sole inspiration as a young person, it played a significant role in my adventures and unexpected successes. I hope this answers your question and provides a bit of fun along the way. Cheers!

Film Making

Is it possible to make over $150,000 a year in photography?

Photography: Achieving $150k a year is possible, but it's a long game

Yes, it is possible to make a $150k a year in photography and I suspect there's a lot of photographers that do it. But you know, you've got to be smart too. There's a lot of really good photographers out there that are just atrocious business people and that lets them down. You know, you've got to be smart not just on the tools but also on the book work. So, and you know, hunting down clients and getting clients to stay around. So yeah, in a word, you can make that money. It's you know, if you had a thousand photographers you might only have one that makes that. But it's definitely achievable. Don't expect it for the first five or ten years. It's a, photography's a long game. There's absolutely no doubt about that. And what I do in the motion picture industry, you know, it's a career that you carve out, carve out, carve out and it doesn't come easily. But once you get to a certain level, it comes a little bit easier. But you still have your panic moments like, you know, I'm having an extended holiday at the moment and I'm still like, oh, hold on, but will I ever work again? So you need that doubt to give yourself a bit of a kick and get along. But at the moment, I'm enjoying my rest.

Yes, it is possible to make 150k a year in photography. It requires hard work and smart business decisions, and it may not come easily at first. However, with dedication and persistence, it is achievable.

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Yes, it is possible to make over $150,000 a year in photography. Many photographers achieve this income level, but it requires being not only skilled in photography but also savvy in business. Some talented photographers struggle because they lack business acumen. To earn this kind of income, you need to be smart about both your craft and the business side of things. This includes actively seeking and retaining clients. While it is achievable, it may not happen in the first few years of your career. Photography is a long-term game that requires dedication and perseverance. It takes time to establish yourself and reach a certain level of success where opportunities come more easily. However, even at that point, doubts can still arise about future work prospects. These moments of uncertainty can be motivating and keep you pushing forward in your career. Currently, I am enjoying some well-deserved rest before my next endeavor.

Jasin Boland answers your Photography questions. See all the advice Jasin Boland has and get answers to your own Photography questions.

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Jasin Boland is a renowned global motion picture still photographer whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, billboards and movie posters around the world. He has captured the raw emotion of action franchises such as The Matrix, James Bond and Jason Bourne. As a member of The Society of Motion Picture Still Photographers, Jasin has photographed the first three Matrix films and the last three 007 Bond films. As he reflects on his achievements, he sees many more highlights in his career yet to come. Jasin is an avid supporter of aspiring photographers, believing that the enthusiasm of the craft is the heart of photography. He owes much of his success to the mentors and professionals who nurtured his love of photography and helped to propel his career.