@blakejswingle

1. Introduce yourself and say where you’re from.

I’m Blake, a photographer and filmmaker based in Denver, Colorado. I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and over the past few years have found myself documenting road trips, old cars, and the people and places tied to them. Most of my work lives somewhere out on the road, usually with a camera in hand and no real rush to get anywhere.

2. What’s a photo you almost didn’t take but are glad you did?

On my first trip to Cannon Beach, I had already put the camera down and was on the phone with my dad heading back to my truck. I looked back at that all so familiar scene one last time Haystack Rock, soft light, a perfect coastal frame and almost kept walking. Last second, I set my phone down and took the shot. Now it’s one of my favorites, not just for the image but for the memory of that phone call.

3. What place has been your favorite to photograph?

Northwest Montana will always mean a lot to me it’s easily my favorite place to make photos. I got to live up there for a bit, and just about every weekend turned into an excuse to wander off into the mountains and camp out of my truck.

4. What keeps you coming back to film?

Film’s always been more than just the look for me. Yeah, that’s what pulls you in at first, but it’s really the whole process. It’s the same reason I drive my ’87 Land Cruiser I’m not doing it for convenience, I’m doing it for the experience. Film feels the same way. Carrying rolls instead of SD cards, lugging around heavier cameras… it just slows everything down in a good way and makes you actually be there for it.

5. What do you hope people feel or take away when they view your photography?

At the end of the day, I just want people to feel something when they look at my photos. Maybe it’s as simple as feeling like they were there, or maybe it hits a little deeper and brings up something personal for them. I kind of think of it like music when a song really gets you, it makes you want to dig into the artist and understand more. That’s what I hope my work can do in its own way.