Meet Jamie Wang of J. Wang Photos in Austin

Jamie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always had a fascination with the arts with music and photography. Growing up in New York City as a child, I would draw majestic landscapes that I would want to one day see and capture in photograph. I stopped after high school. I joined the Army after high school and put my artistic side on hold. That side was always there as I was sent all over the world. After leaving the Army. I started traveling more, now that I had more free time and during long breaks from school I would just travel. I longed to see those landscapes and culture and it was a trip to Netherlands where it all came together. Where else would an artist find art! The home of Remrandt and Van Gogh and Vermeer. I began taking photographs of everything. And this became a passion that was a fire that I couldn’t put down. I immerse myself in everything photography. I read up on classical arts and classical composition as well as everything photography.

And that was it. I was hooked. For many years all I did was landscape and street photography. Then I went to a social event with photographers and models and all the experiences that I have accumulated since I was that ten years old boy in NYC wanderlustingly drawing landscapes to capturing fleeting moments on the street just came together and everything made sense. Since then I have been featured in Vogue Italia and in more then a dozen magazines around the world from Paris to London to Australia.

J. Wang Photos – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a portrait photographer with a passion for capturing moody and intense emotions. While I aim to deliver products that my clients want, I work collaboratively and using their input. My sessions are more like counseling sessions. A lot of talking and talking about goals, strengths, vulnerabilities and capturing all of that in pictures. Many laughs, some tears, and making friends along the way.

I believe that anybody can take a photo of someone smiling or standing in front of a nice backdrop. But to capture the essence of the individual in all their lived experiences…that is what makes a compelling photo subject.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I believe that honesty and integrity will guide you to success. Whatever you do, you must do with those factors and success will follow in time. Never go to sleep with a guilty conscious so that the next day starts fresh.