Meet James Hernandez | Documentary Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk-Taking is a huge factor in documentary photography & the visual arts space. I have found myself in unique situations, different spaces and meeting different types of people. Majority of the time if I am photographing a new place, it comes down to taking a risk and putting myself out there to meet new people, cultures, and invading peoples personal space. All the risks I have taken in my career of visual-story telling has brought me new opportunities. Risk-taking is always scary in my opinion. The unknown is fearful. But sometimes, that risk could change your life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Currently I am photographing social issues, food events, protests, and documenting everyday life of rural America. I am looking for more publishing throughout news agencies and features within magazines. I would love to represent magazines, visual stories and work with some great editors along the way and relationship build. I am excited for some spotlight features of my work here shortly.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A great start for an itinerary would be coffee to start off the day. Collective Espresso has some of the best coffee in Cincinnati followed by a walk in Over the Rhine Neighborhood to visualize the culture. Later in the day would be to cross over the covington, Ky. and have a drink a OKBB Old Kentucky bourbon bar for some whiskey or cocktails. Great dive bar. There are so many delicious places to eat in Cincinnati,Ohio. Im pretty sure whatever we picked would be delicious.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a good majority of photographers who I look up to daily regarding photographing and pushing the limits in my field. They are the reason I started this journey in the first place. Lyndsey Addario, Bruce Gilden, James “Spider” Martin are photographers whom I credit for photographing some historical events and putting a spotlight on major social issues that should be discussed. In my personal circle, my girlfriend has been supportive, loving and encouraged my art and the ups and downs within my career. She sees a lot of behind the scenes of what it is actually like trying to make it in a oversaturated industry. Her encouragement has kept me strong through the toughest of days.

Website: https://jameshernandez.myportfolio.com/work

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_steppenwolf/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hernandez-6a108b200/