Saturday Style: July 9th

I first saw Jordan Barclay’s work on the great connecter that is Instagram. The fact that she was a Portland-based photographer caught my eye, and I loved the simplicity and intimacy of her photography. I could not be happier to have her be a part of Saturday Style. We are already hard at work on the style shots you have come to expect and are in the works on new ideas coming to you soon. Read on to learn more about Jordan, her not-so-secret life as a nanny, and her love of darkrooms.

SS: Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? How did you end up in Portland? What are some of your interests?

JB: I grew up in Houston and moved to Atlanta for college. I got my degree in photography and then stuck around there for a few years after. I love Atlanta, but Portland is like an upgraded version of Atlanta. I attempted to live in Los Angeles briefly, but that didn’t go well. After visiting my best friend up here to escape I just never left. I lived out of a suitcase for quite a few months before going down to get the rest of my things, including my car. It took me a little while to realize that I never wanted to leave here. But I think I was just in denial because Portland is amazing.

Spending time with good friends and family is probably my favorite thing. I love to travel, and I hope to do it more often in the future. Portland weather is probably my favorite thing about being here, both during the summer and when it’s overcast and rainy, so I love to spend time outside. I also really love animals, so I love spending time with the four that are in my house. (They’re not all mine.)

SS: How did you find out about the Saturday Style blog, and why did you want to be a part of it?

JB: I love working within the queer community. I did a shoot for DapperQ when I lived in Los Angeles, and I found it super rewarding. I’m working on expanding my client base in Portland and getting my name out there, especially in the queer community. It’s a difficult process that relies almost solely on word of mouth. Nic posted on one of the Queer Exchange Facebook groups that they were looking for a photographer. It seemed like a really awesome opportunity to help out someone who could in turn help me out in many ways. We haven’t worked together long but the process seems to flow really well. It seems like a great way to get exposure in the community, great for networking and meeting awesome people in general. I really love the blog. I find it to be a really refreshing take on a queer style blog. It’s perfect for Portland and the surrounding areas because it seems to really have the everyday queer in mind rather than those that live in very high fashion or more expensive areas.

SS: Why photography? What got you into that art form?

JB: I’ve been interested in photography for a long time. I started taking photography classes my sophomore year of high school. I spent so much of my time in the darkroom there, I fell in love with it very quickly. I’m really thankful to have been able to learn about the original way film was processed. People no longer have access to that with the rise of technology. When I realized I could pursue a bachelor’s degree in that field, I jumped on the opportunity. College was so difficult, but it was so much fun.

SS: You want to establish your photography business in the queer community, why is that important to you?

JB: In general I feel that us queers need to stick together in all aspects of life and support each other. I know I feel most comfortable when working with a queer or queer friendly business rather than the alternative, and I like to offer that to others. There’s already a sense of community involved, and I find that refreshing. Lately I’ve been specializing in queer weddings, and it’s super rewarding for me. I do shoot all types of weddings, but it seems that word of mouth travels faster within the queer community. At least in my experience since I’ve lived here.

SS: What/who do you like to shoot the most?

JB: Lately I’ve been really enjoying shooting weddings. Sometimes in my field it’s considered a cop out because everyone and anyone is a wedding photographer these days. But how can I complain when I get to spend my day around a bunch of really happy people? Plus I get to add to their happiness by helping them relive that day. I also really enjoy doing portraits in general. I’ve done a lot of comical portraits of friends and family, and I’d like to eventually do some sort of series project with a similar style. I’ve also really enjoyed photographing people in the amazing nature we have here in Portland. I learn about a new beautiful place every time I do an outdoor engagement shoot or the like.

SS: What’s the hardest part of being a photographer?

JB: Professionally the hardest part about being a photographer is learning the best way to market yourself to the audience you prefer. Or just to market yourself in general. They told us in college that your career will turn into 10% shooting and 90% business. If you include photo editing in the business side then I find that to be pretty accurate. But luckily I’m really passionate about what I do. So even the business aspects of it don’t seem like hard work to me.

Also keeping up with the latest technology is pretty difficult. You literally never stop learning new things as a photographer. If you do, you’ll very quickly fall behind.

SS: You’re also a nanny, tell me more about that.

It’s the absolute perfect second job for me as a photographer. Not to mention how rewarding it is. I love kids and I get to just hang out with them all day as a job. I nanny for a 6 year old and a 2.5 year old and I learn so much from them. I know my future mom-self will really appreciate all the experience.

SS: How would you describe your style, both in photos and in clothing?

I would describe my clothing style as pretty androgynous. I typically buy “women’s pants” and “men’s shirts.” I tend to dress pretty casual, especially as a nanny.

As far as my photography style, I don’t really know how to pinpoint what makes my work stand out from the rest. My look is just my look. I guess the best way to describe it is I put my own fun, energetic and colorful stamp on my photos.

In college my specialization was product photography, and my style was extremely colorful, bold, and simplistic. I feel that I’ve carried over some of those aspects in my other photography as well.

SS: What’s next for you? What’s on your plate in the immediate future?

My plan is to be doing photography full time in the next 3 years. Nannying is giving me the opportunity to work on paying off some debt while giving me enough spare time to focus on marketing myself.

Also I guess my more immediate plan is to try not to work too hard through the summer and get out and explore more of Oregon.