Interview With Jody Rogac

There’s one thing young artists sometimes overlook doing as they are starting out and that’s reaching out to the people already in the profession they want to do. Just leaning how to do something in college doesn’t solve things, going out and finding a path brings up a lot of questions. This is why I’ve been so happy with Letter to Jane’s Artist Interview Series, and to have it include great artists such as Jody Rogac. Rogac is one of my favorite photographers working these days. Her images are soft and inviting, her simple style and attention to details lets her subjects be dynamic. Her work can be found in various look books and magazines such as Monocle, i-D, and CITY. Once I came to Jody Rogac as a fellow photographer looking for some friendly advice and she helped me figure out things that seem obvious now but weren’t until someone actually said it to me. I contacted her again recently and luckily she agreed to talk to Letter to Jane about the profession and her work.

Hello, now I’m pretty sure that everyone knows a photographer, but it’s not a general position and few know a photographer who is working at the level you do. So I’d like to start with some simple questions. What are your day-to-day operations like?

Non shoot days: make a big pot of coffee, computer work (emails, photo prep), read, go out, keep inspired. Shoot days: make a big pot of coffee, go out and shoot!

How has the job changed since moving to New York?

The job hasn’t changed that much, I’m still shooting the same kind of stuff, just for different clients. It’s actually become a bit easier because I’m in the center of the industry.

What is your typical equipment setup like?

Me, camera, bounce (maybe). I like to keep things as simple as possible.

Here’s a chance for you to be as pretentious as you want, you get a free pass here: How would you describe your style in regards to your work.

I find it really hard to answer this question whenever it is asked. Although judging by feedback I’ve had from others I’d say my style is calm, simple, and unintrusive.

I love how a lot of your work has a hybrid studio/atmospheric feel to them. I was wondering after you got out of school, what was your first studio like?

I’ve moved apartments a lot and always just made studios out of where I’ve been living. As long as I’ve had a wall and a window I’ve had a studio!

So was there a time when photography was just a part time gig? When did you make the jump to full time?

Photography was definitely a part time gig for quite a while after I finished school. I’d say I made the jump to working full time as a photographer about a year and a half ago.

You’ve done many magazine features now. You don’t have to go in detail but if you could give our readers a glimpse how the process goes from start to finish?

Sure… it starts with the photo editor getting in touch and seeing if you’re available for a shoot they’re doing. Then there’s a bit of back and forth regarding location and logistics about the project. After the shoot, I compile a folder of selects and send them to the photo editor. From there, the magazine makes their choice, and voila!

I think some of the first images of yours I saw were from some of your work in fashion. Are those projects such as look books or ad campaigns better or worse than the other kinds of projects you shoot? What are some of the pros and cons?

I wouldn’t say one is better or worse than the other. Everything is so different from project to project. I generally really like to photograph people, whether it’s fashion or a portrait for a magazine. I try to make the most out of every assignment!

Photography can be quite time consuming, is it hard to take a break from the business?

It’s definitely time consuming, but I love it so much that even when I’m taking a break I’m still thinking about taking photos! I can’t help it!

(Jody Rogac is a photographer working in Brooklyn NY, you can learn more about her work here)