You’ve been reading their articles for months or years, have you ever wondered “Who are the photographers who write for DPS”? We thought it would be a good time to introduce them to you through a series of interviews. No worries, Darren will get his turn too.
Today meet Valerie Jardin, born and raised in France and currently living in Minnesota, USA.
1. How long have you been shooting?
I picked up my first DSLR about 15 years ago. It wasn’t a life-long hobby like many other photographers. It has since become a true passion, almost an obsession!
2. Do you have a full time job or are you a full time photographer?
Valerie Jardin - Photographer, Instructor
I am a full time photographer. I shoot mostly interiors for commercial clients, some food as well as lifestyle portraits. Most of my time and energy is now devoted to leading international photo workshops. Sharing the passion for this beautiful craft and teaching people to see is the most gratifying experience.
3. If you had to limit yourself to one genre of photography, what would it be and why?
I would have to pick street photography but more in the travel sense of the term. Including people in my frame to add life and a sense of place to my images. The quest for the story in a single frame is as exciting as the resulting image itself. I can spend days walking the street of any large city without tiring as long as I have my camera with me.
4. When did you start writing for DPS and why?
I started writing for DPS in 2010. I think it’s the teacher in me that drove me to writing articles to help other photographers learn from my mistakes and successes. My articles are all inspired by my own experiences. I love helping others and we are so lucky to be part of such a great global community of photographers from all walks of life.
5. What do you shoot with and what’s your favorite lens?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II and my favorite lens is the 24-70mm f/2.8. Yet, I find myself traveling light and shooting mostly with the 40mm pancake lens when working on self projects or shooting street photography. I love that lens, it’s sharp and inconspicuous!
6. What would be your number one tip to any new photographer?
Go out with your camera as often as possible, everyday if you can. Shoot with intent and make every frame count.
7. What’s your next big project?
I am adding new photography workshops every year. I am running two workshops in Paris and two on the beautiful Normandy coast in France in 2013, those are all inclusive week-long workshops. I also offer weekend workshops in the US, San Diego in March and Minneapolis in June. I am also excited to announce a workshop in Melbourne, Australia to take place in February 2014! Ultimately for me it’s all about teaching and sharing my passion for this beautiful craft and hanging out with other photographers.
8. Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
They can visit my website to see my commercial photography as well as my personal work. It also has links to everything such as my blog, my workshops, and social media platforms. I’m the most active on my Facebook page.
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I would like to thank Valerie for her contributions to the photography community through her writing on DPS and also for starting this round of interviews. We hope you come away from these short interviews with a better idea of who is writing for DPS. Please let us know how we are doing.
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