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Jordan Helfer Captures The Vibrant Pulse of Louisana

July 16, 2018

Meet the photographer and creative entrepreneur that will change the way you look at Louisana and its musical culture.

Jordan Hefler is a freelance photographer and creative entrepreneur residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana known for her commissioned fine-art, music, fashion, and lifestyle photography.

Jordan tells us about her journey through photography along with the various other paths she took but just weren’t right.

What brought you into photography?

My dad has always had an interest in photography, so I always had cameras around the house growing up to play with. At one point I had magazine photos plastering my walls and thought I wanted to be a fashion designer. I had an epiphany one day that what drew me to all those magazine photos were the actual photos, not necessarily the designs. I began to shoot around with my friends in high school and that’s when I really started seeing photography as a future career.

I had an epiphany one day that what drew me to all those magazine photos were the actual photos, not necessarily the designs. I began to shoot around with my friends in high school and that’s when I really started seeing photography as a future career.

Did you go to school to study photography?

I did! I went to Louisiana State University and majored in Studio Art with my concentration in Photography at the LSU College of Art & Design. I graduated in May of 2014 and have been able to put that degree to use in various ways in my freelance career now!

Which camera do you use?

I currently use a Nikon D750 as my main body, and a Nikon D700 as my backup body.

What time of day do your prefer to shoot, night or day?

For portraits, festivals, really almost anything…I am obsessed with the “golden hour.” I like to shoot right about an hour to 30 minutes before sunset if possible to get that really low, orange light from the sun peeking through the horizon right before it sets.

What has photographing music taught you?

Photographing music has taught me to be patient, and to deal with making art under a pressure-filled unpredictable environment. The lighting is always changing, the fans can be rowdy, and the bands can be really intense on stage at times. To be able to channel all of that energy and execute it in a photo has really taught me how to go with the flow and be at the mercy of what I’m actually seeing in front of me vs. my expectations of how something should be.

To be able to channel all of that energy and execute it in a photo has really taught me how to go with the flow and be at the mercy of what I’m actually seeing in front of me vs. my expectations of how something should be.

How would you describe your photography style?

Most people come to me and say “I love the color in your photos!” It took me a long time to realize that was a common thread of my style. I now try to embrace my retro/vibrant aesthetic and inject it into whatever assignment I’m doing. I’d also say that I try to capture the energy I’m feeling and seeing in person at a concert and make it translate through the photos, via my composition and colorful editing styles.

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

I am most inspired by other photographers and brands that I see on Instagram! I follow a ton of really talented people, whether they be other photographers like me or giant corporations that just have a great branding presence online. I love following the work of Ashley Osborn, Bri Emery of Designlovefest, Neil Krug, and Jesse Chamberlin Marble to name a few.

Following the work of Ashley Osborn, Bri Emery of Designlovefest, Neil Krug, and Jesse Chamberlin Marble to name a few.

If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?

As of right now, I’m really using my Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 lens a lot. It’s not my sharpest lens, but it’s definitely my most versatile. I like to shoot prime, but this zoom lens encompasses a ton of my favorite lenses into one (which means I get to carry less.) I’m hoping to upgrade to the Nikon version at some point soon for better glass quality!

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I don’t really know what I’m doing! Well I mean I kind of do, but I really just go out there and seek to learn every time I pick up my camera. I’m learning new things and experimenting every day just like everyone else. I definitely do not have it all figured out at all. A lot of people like to ask a ton of specific gear questions, or editing questions, and my answer is usually something along the lines of “I don’t know I just did it, and it looks this way because that’s how I like it.”

A lot of people like to ask a ton of specific gear questions, or editing questions, and my answer is usually something along the lines of “I don’t know I just did it, and it looks this way because that’s how I like it.”

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

At the risk of sounding cliche, you can show the world how you see something through your own eyes. You are manipulating your own reality and capturing it to show to the world in your own interpretation. I love when people say “Oh I could never take a photo like that” because that’s the point! Everyone has a different set of eyes and everyone is attracted to different things, so the way I see something and capture it could be totally different than how you do. Photography gives you that platform to showcase your voice to the world in a visual way.

Everyone has a different set of eyes and everyone is attracted to different things, so the way I see something and capture it could be totally different than how you do. Photography gives you that platform to showcase your voice to the world in a visual way.

What’s your best advice for aspiring photographers?

You have complete freedom to do what you want. There is a lot of technical “right and wrong” ways to do things, but at the end of the day it’s your art. Make what you want and don’t get to down comparing it to other people, because they’re not you. You may not think what you are making or want to make will make a difference, but put it out there because you’ll never know unless you do!

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