Jen Gotch is a self-taught photographer based in Los Angeles, California. Her work is beautiful, warm, and oh so dreamy. Her series Defaced introduces text and scribbles on top of Polaroids. Not only are they gorgeous, but they manage to stir up emotions and memories almost immediately. Some of them are clever, some of them are introspective, and others are laugh-out-loud funny! Jen claims that she “is not an artist,” that she simply “takes pretty pictures.” Perhaps that’s because her daily focus is as the creative director and cofounder of ban.dō—a hugely successful online accessories company that creates cheerful, modern sparkly accessories for women around the world. Not an artist? Hmm.
JC—What’s your favorite camera to work with?
JG—Polaroid. Most of my work was shot using a 680 SLR with 600 film. Those days are kind of gone, which is terribly sad. And I’m not sure if I am happy or sad to say that my iPhone has quickly become my medium of choice.
JC—Which artist’s work/life/career are you most jealous of, and why?
JG—I know this probably doesn’t fit with the theme, but I have always prided myself on not getting jealous . . . ever. That being said, I was highly influenced by the work of Uta Barth and Laura Letinsky. Also, I wouldn’t have minded having the career of Slim Aarons, because his photo life seemed really swell.
JC—Where do you find inspiration?
JG—Everywhere. Outside, inside, in my experiences, oh, and on Pinterest.
JC—Do you consider yourself an artist?
JG—I’m not an artist. I’ve never felt like one and I have always, always admired people with that true artist spirit. I just happen to be really good at taking pretty pictures. I consider it a skill, not really an art form. I don’t mean this to be self-deprecating; it’s just what I know to be true. Also, I’d be flattered if people disagree, but I’m also quite stubborn, so you probably won’t get me to change my mind.
JC—Why are you an artist, or perhaps I should ask, why do you take photographs?
JG—Yes, well, after my last answer, this one is a bit hard to answer. That being said, I take pictures because I find it’s the best way for me to communicate (that coming from an English major). I feel like I have an interesting viewpoint, and I really enjoy sharing it with others.
JC—What would you be if you weren’t a creative director/photographer?
JG—Being the creative director and cofounder of ban.dō takes up most of my time. Now if I were able to develop a new set of skills . . . definitely a chef, or a jazz singer.
JC—Do you ever shoot any of the photography for ban.dō? If so, do those shoots influence your personal work, and vice versa?
JG—I do shoot the product shots for ban.dō and I also creative-direct all of the fashion shoots. I would say that my personal work has always influenced ban.dō. I’m always trying to take a slightly unconventional viewpoint on commercial photography. Getting to work with other photographers like Max Wanger inspires my personal work too. It is always interesting to see how someone else goes about their process.
JC—Do you experience creative blocks? How do you push through them?
JG—I think any artist would be lying if they said that they never had creative blocks. I have found that mine usually come when I am overtired, or sad. So, I try to avoid both of those feelings, and that has worked out quite well! Also, when these blocks do happen, I just give myself a break. I don’t try to force it or add too much pressure on myself . . . that never, ever works.
I think any artist would be lying if they said that they never had creative blocks.
I’m not sure if I am happy or sad to say that my iPhone has quickly become my medium of choice.
