A Look Through My Lens, Part 6

A Look Through My Lens is an ongoing series on That GOOD GOOD Blog which features awe-inspiring photographers from all over the world. I have had the absolute privilege of interviewing 12 photographers thus far through this series and today I have yet another amazing addition to the ‘A Look Through My Lens’ family. Please enjoy the story of J. Quazi King from Brooklyn, NY as he shares about his passions for his art form and where his love of photography all began. Ive been shooting for almost 2 years now. Inretrospect, I believe Ive always been interested in photography in someindirect way, among friends I was always the guy with the point and shootcamera documenting the moment. I became a photographer really by accident.After losing a management job I’d held for 6 years, I bought an entry levelcamera for hobby while I was deciding on my next career move. It was early summer2010; I went out one night shot a party, posted the photos online and taggedthe people. About 2 weeks later I was hired by a magazine to shoot an event,from that point it was ON!I have a vast photography interest, ranging from photo-journalism, live music, fashion, lifestyle, night life, etc. But I’m known more for my portraiture work because its what Ive shared thus far. Im more of an artistic photographer, I create workwith soul. In my personal work, it’s very important to me to capture part of mysubjects essence/soul and attach it to the final result, this way he/she livesforever in the portrait.I love shootingpeople and exploring all that they have to offer, the happiness, sadness, mixedemotions and everything else that comes with being human... I would not leavemy house looking to photograph butterflies or plants unless Im getting paidfor it (LOL! no diss). Its just not my thing. I always gravitate towardspeople because they will always surprise you with their infinite range ofemotions and that can be very exciting. I use 1 camera and 1 lens for all my shoots unlessspecifically asked by the client. My gear is a Nikon D300s & 17-55mmlens. I get lots of emails with this question and I will usually joke bysaying "Im a Nikonian from a planet called NIKON" I shoot with aNikon because of their superior ergonomics and because it was the firstbrand I purchased. In photography one usually sticks with the brandtheyve already invested in. To be honest I dont buy too much into themajor brands competition and I can care less about the new/fancy featurescoming out and all of that. I just need something good enough and reliablebecause at the end of the day its really not about that camera, itswhat can be done with it.Professionally, I admire lotsof people out there. I believe everyone has something to contribute into thisbig pot called the creative society. But personally, very few create the kindof work Id love to learn from. I love Kimiko Yoshidas self portraits andmy man Barron Claiborne awesome body of work.www.quazimottoonwax.tumblr.com