Jimmy Fontaine

By: Cherry Seim

This time we had a small talk with a bright photographer from New York City.
His professional path lead him to portraiture without leaving behind his roots.

MM: Jimmy, how old are you?
JF: 30

MM: Looking backwards, how would you describe your evolution as photographer?
JF: I was lucky being exposed to the media aspect of skateboarding and snowboarding growing up. in journalism during high school we had a couple cameras available for use and I took advantage whenever possible to document friends skating/ snowboarding/ playing in bands etc..I found a passion for being on the opposite side of the lens and stuck with shooting the people and lifestyles of southern california youth culture all through my formative years. that led to an understanding of technical aspects, since I had no formal training, and widened my sense of creativity and motivation enough to make a career out of a hobby. after a while, I wanted to progress into portraits that would reach a wider audience and then eventually move into the fashion industry.

MM: What doesn’t inspire you?
JF: Decaf coffee, over retouching, hippies, lazy people, people who don’t give a shit about you until you have something to offer, summertime, strip malls, baggage fees, people who don’t treat their animals right.

MM: Honest… Film or digital?
JF: I grew up shooting film. learning the hard way through trial and error, getting countless rolls of film back that weren’t exposed properly and not having the luxury of solving the problem on the spot (that digital photography enables) makes it hard for me to let go of analog. Almost being an introverted snob about it at times. I’m not stubborn and understand that things progress and that the progression these days is digital and i embrace that, but ill hold on to film and polaroid in some aspect as long as I can.

MM: Looking at your professional field, what do you write down your blacklist?
JF: Oh man, there are a lot of things but I don’t like to complain too much so i’ll just say, budgets being cut, and again, over retouching images.

MM: You moved from San Diego to New York… Do you think that is something essential to stand out professionally?
JF: I feel like wherever you are from its important to be genuine, work hard and to be persistent. Nothing is going to happen overnight and no matter where you’re from or move to, adaptation is necessary. The pace of life in new york is a drastic change from that of san diego, but if you can get past the initial struggles, and you are determined enough its going to work out. In any creative field you have to look at things with a sense of longevity, nothing comes quick..so I think those who pay their dues and aren’t afraid to get in the trenches with stand out indefinitely.

MM: What are you wearing today?
JF: Black comune jeans, black comune tshirt and some old black vans classics that dont smell very good (so says my girlfriend).

MM: If you had a magic wand, what would be the first thing you’d like to do?
JF: Get those advertising jobs rolling in on a steady basis.

MM: How is the future for you?
JF: Hopefully successful for not only myself but for my friends coming up as well. Things will be better when everyone you care about and admire succeed right alongside you. And hopefully getting a dog in the near future.

MM: Thank you Jimmy and keep up the good work.
JF: Thanks guys.