Meet Jack Durkan | Film photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jack Durkan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jack, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
My end goal is pretty simple, I want to be able to make a name for myself. I don’t care how long it takes or how long the journey is, because I get to do what I love along the way. My dream is too to be able to have my work in galleries and inspire people with my film photography images. There is just so much more that I want to do and I can’t wait to do it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The art of film photography is so special than digital because you become one with your images you create. its almost and intimate relationship because of the process it takes to get to the end result and see what you the photographer has created. I love it, being apart of everything, having an idea in your head, setting up the photo and hearing the shutter capture the image that you can’t see until you develop. It’s amazing. With my work I try to be different I’m all over the place with what I shoot. I do landscapes, cars, people. and etc. It’s really anything that captures my eye and what i’d think would make a great photo. I’m most proud of my self because of how far I’ve come. It’s so rewarding seeing how much I’ve improved with my exposures and compositions. It’s like seeing a young child grow up and learning from their past mistakes. It’s a weird analogy but it works. And it wasn’t easy getting where I’m at, and there is still so much further I want to go, but it was very difficult with a lot of trial and error and just times where there was so much anger and frustration, but that’s normal with film. you never know what’s going to happen until you see what comes back from the lab or if I’ve decided to develop a roll or two. Anything can happen and you just have to accept it and try again that’s what I love too, its not the end of the world its just the world giving you another opportunity to try again. And what I want everyone to know about me and my photography brand jacksfilm_ is that if anyone else is trying to make a name for themselves there is going to be huge bumps along the way. You are not always going to coast down the hill with ideas and problems, there will always be those hills you have to climb, some big and some small but that is what is important because how else would you be able to learn from your mistakes and just grow in general. So if I’ve reached anyone with my work and inspired them I’m so happy and I feel accomplished!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well growing up in the midwest and living with my grandpa in Arizona for a while really spread my eyes to the different culture as well as the scenery. I personally love the nature side of things and seeing what this rock we live on has made. While I was in the beautiful state of Arizona we went to a ton of places like Tombstone which I would set aside an entire day to do. It was very interesting as well as very nostalgic in a weird way. we went to Madera canyon which is where birds from all around the state visit during certain times of the year. It’s a very popular place among the wildlife photographers. they come from all around the country to capture amazing photos of these birds you’ll probably will never see in your life again. it was such an amazing experience. We went to colossal cave as well which was such a memorable experience seeing the way the earth has carved out this huge structure under the Arizona soil. Tubac Az is also a great place to spend the day with family. go and eat as well as shop around. there are hundreds of stores! The last place that comes to mind is Sabino Canyon which is equally as amazing as Madera canyon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well I can’t go without giving recognition to my amazing girlfriend Maddy as well as my family, My grandpa (Dr. Papa), and my mom. They all have been so helpful in my dream to become a film photographer, they are the ones who have pushed me to try to be the best I can while still giving me the constructive criticism I needed and still need today. I can say I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.

Website: www.jacksfilm.net

Instagram: jacksfilm_