Jacob Boll

Photography is the language of connection for me: a medium through which I can reach out, experiment, succeed, fail and grow. I’ve tried anything that’s crossed my path and none of it has been time wasted. I’ve shot weddings and promotional shoots for local bands. I did some product photography, advertising for colleges, and I’ve taught photography, too. All those experiences helped inform how I shoot now, how I think about lighting and how I collaborate with my subjects. It’s funny to me that, after all this time, I’m back where I started, shooting portraits of musicians and artists. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy it; I love being

PHOTO © JACOB BOLL

in a studio, meticulously moving lights around an inch to the left or right, and being with a stranger for a few hours, talking about their interests and inspirations. My work always boils down to a personal connection: It’s a conversation with my subject and an attempt to extract the truth about who they are. All images express some emotional truth. My obsession with music has always run parallel to my interest in photography. I remember first seeing the Daniel Kramer series “Bob Dylan: A Year and A Day.” It wasn’t just Kramer’s stunning work that impacted me: It was also the magnetism of Dylan as an artist and storyteller. It was the first time I saw the veil being lifted from an icon, showing the emotional side of a person and not just a glossy god. That really resonated with me and it’s what I strive for in every image.

@jacobboll

PHOTO © JACOB BOLL

PHOTO © JACOB BOLL