Today we’d like to introduce you to James Hernandez.
Hi James, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2016, I went broke for my first camera when I was living in San Antonio, Texas pursing food photography at the time. I was working in the kitchen scene as a line cook pursing my arts and developing my style for what type of photographer I have always wanted to become. My passion for cooking was at an all-time high and working in best kitchens was always appealing to me to work along great chefs. My heart always was drawn to the camera anytime I was able to go outside and just shoot street photography and enjoy a cup of coffee. During my cooking years, I found myself bouncing around from city to city in Texas, such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, photographing documenting different individuals, homeless, unique characters that would come along my path, including the kitchens. I eventually planted some roots in Dallas and lived there for 5 years up until I left in 2022 to Cincinnati, Ohio. I started off very slow with showing my work at exhibitions, art shows, and events to meet local creatives around in Texas and hopefully gain more attention over the years. After being in Texas for nearly 5 years, I knew it was time for change. I always wished to push into the mid-west and change directions with photography, learn and grow about myself. After only living here for 5 months, I have produced two art shows and a short film for a restaurant, which things are looking very positive! Over photographing several years, I always knew this was something I wanted to do full-time. Either a photojournalist or a freelance documentary photographer. My eye has always seen the darker phases of the world, and I want to tell its story and make sure that does not get left out of photography. Coming out of El Paso, Texas, born & raised makes me proud of how far I have come into the art world also, with photography changing my life immensely.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not.
Biggest challenge for me is stable work outside of photography. I tend to be very hard on myself on why I am not photographing full-time as a photojournalist or was it has not happened yet. Balancing corporate jobs or any time of job just to fulfill my art career has put enough stress on me mentally and financially. Some people will just not understand how hungry you are for something, and that can cause roadblocks along the way. Even some friendships will drift away while chasing goals and dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in documentary photography and have photographed political protests, food events, and music artists. I will always be proud of art exhibitions and contributing to art shows around different cities and perspectives. Being featured in the Dallas Weekly is one of my greatest accomplishments in my journalist career. My passion for documenting and photographing was time spent in libraries, learning from great and local artists from the 1960s. Picking up different cameras, learning film, collaborating with different artists will always help you grow and learn about yourself. One thing I have noticed about myself I am always looking for feedback, negative or positive. Constructive criticism will always keep you on your toes, and I like that.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Talk with everybody. Be kind and actively listen to others. Take in feedback.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jamessteppenwolfhernandez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_steppenwolf/?hl=en
