Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Ostermann
Hi Jacob, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got into photography in 2015 after learning about VSCO. I got super inspired and wanted to take photos that looked as good as the ones I was seeing on the app, so I started shooting consistently on my phone and eventually a DSLR. As I got more into it, I learned everything I could about using a camera, photography history, and famous photographers. I naturally gravitated toward street and documentary photography, especially the work of William Eggleston, Joel Meyerowitz, Martin Parr, and Daniel Arnold. Parr and Arnold’s work hit me hard and pushed me to take things to the next level—they’re a big reason I’m where I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been the smoothest of rides. I’ve had my share of struggles with inspiration and confidence, but my biggest hurdle started in 2020. During the pandemic, I lost a lot of my motivation to take photos, especially since my focus was on street and documentary photography—something hard to pursue when we couldn’t gather in groups. I also began feeling more introverted and less comfortable being “the person with a camera,” which led to a steady decline in how often I went out to shoot. By 2022 and 2023, I was barely shooting at all.
This year, though, something shifted after having conversations with friends about photography, art in general, and our relationship with both. I felt a spark of inspiration, bought a new camera, and started shooting again. I’m happy to say that the new gear did reignite my drive, and I’ve been reflecting a lot on my creative journey. Stepping away gave me a fresh perspective, and now I feel ready to dive back in and explore what it means to me moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in street and documentary photography. I don’t know if I’m “known” for anything, but if I had to pick, I’d say the use of flash and “funny” moments that I’ve come across. I’m most proud of the times I’ve been able to take photos of people I love and share those photos with them. I’m also happy when I can make people laugh from a photo I’ve taken. I’ll even take a chuckle…that makes me feel just as happy.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m taking pictures of life through my own eyes. I can try my best to replicate other styles and get inspiration from legendary photographs, but at the end of the day I’m aiming to get candid pictures of moments I’m uniquely experiencing. That’s the beautiful part!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the smaller city feel and laid-backness Fort Worth has. I hate that it gets compared to Dallas all the time…it’s its own city!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobostermann?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Image Credits
Jacob Ostermann
