Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Clemons.
Justin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got my BFA in photography from UNT in 2003. I then assisted professional photographers in Dallas for 3 years to learn more about the business and make connections. I slowly built my portfolio and started shooting on my own after that, mostly local magazine work at first.
I now shoot for national magazines such as TIME magazine, WSJ, Dwell and Forbes as well as commercial clients like Walmart, HGTV, NIKE, Verizon, and others. My focus is on portraiture and architectural work.
My most recent venture is starting a creative collective called FLOCC. It is a space for multiple creatives of different disciplines (photographers, illustrators, designers, writers, etc.) to work out of. We are building a community that enjoys working with each other, collaborating at times and sharing resources.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Social Media is a challenge! Negatively, it ads just another thing for me to do. I always feel like I’m not Instagramming, Tweeting or Facebooking enough.
I always feel behind in those areas, and when I do make time for it, it seems it’s when I’m at home or at dinner with my wife and daughter and should be paying attention to them.
On the positive side, it is a way for people to see that I’m busy and I’m shooting interesting work. It’s good to keep you on the front of people’s (job giving people) minds. I do have some art directors and creative directors I know that follow me on Instagram. It just raises their perception of you.
When you are posting images from shoots or BTS shots from locations or you are just able to make everyday life look cool in photos, they put a higher value on you and your work. They feel they can trust important shoots to you.
Justin Clemons Photography and FLOCC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Well, I am an editorial and commercial photographer focusing on portrait and architectural work. I also run (with partners) a “coworking” business for creatives (photographers, designers, illustrators, writers, painters, etc.) called FLOCC.
I am also teaching a photo portfolio course at Collin College one day a week. At the moment I am most proud of being able to help others get to the next place in their career.
This is helping connect people, encourage people and providing a bad ass place to work for FLOCC members, and also helping my students realize the potential that they have and getting them to believe in themselves.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by how much I can inspire and help others go beyond what they think they can do. I believe I have worked really hard and been in the creative industry long enough to become an influencer of sorts. I’m at a place that people look up to me for advice or guidance.
I don’t care about the praise, but do care that people feel they can come to me for help and respect my opinion. If I haven’t done anything successful in my career, then no one would care what I had to say.
Now though, I am able to be an influencer at FLOCC and teaching my college class and actually help others get past hurdles,or help them to the next phase, or keep them accountable as they struggle through a project. This gives me the most fulfillment is taking the knowledge I have gotten and passing it on to others.
Contact Info:
- Address: 606 N. Edgefield Ave. Dallas, TX 75208
- Website: www.justinclemons.com www.floccstudio.com
- Phone: 469-585-2849
- Email: justin@justinclemons.com
- Instagram: @justinclemons @floccstudio
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
