Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Bour, Jr.
Hi Jean, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started out taking photos of the horses in the pasture while doing horse chores at a friend’s farm. Then, I started taking photos at an event called Team Sorting, my friends on Facebook said that I should go to college and get a degree in Digital Photography and so that is what I did.
After 5 years of college, I got a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication in Digital Photography, I started working with models shortly after I got done with college. I started submitting photos for publishing in 2020 and have countless publications along numerous Covers.
My first cover was with Tantalize Magazine in May of 2020, I also enjoy photographing weddings, birthday parties, Airshows, and car shows. I have a good eye for the Vintage (pinup) Genre.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I haven’t been an easy road. With some of my mental health issues, people constantly judge me and take things the wrong way.
But once people start working with me, they can see past it and see my talent and my skill. Got to have fresh ideas to keep every shoot different.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I don’t specialize in any Genre, but a do have a fondness for The Vintage (Pinup Genre) in the 1940, 1950, and 60’s. A lot of models I work with notice my eye for the Vintage Genre. There are three photoshoots that I did with Vintage Word War II aircraft, that I’m most proud of. I did a photoshoot at The South St. Paul Commemorative air force they have a B-25 Bomber Miss Mitchell, and an SNJ – Texan trainer I did a photoshoot with 7 models.
The Second Best was a Photoshoot with Another B-25J Bomber named The Berlin Express and B-17G Bomber named Aluminum Overcast on July 4th, 2019, and my third best was a photoshoot at Wings of the North in Eden Prairie Mn the have a P-51 Mustang Fighter, and F4U Corsair, and TBA – Avenger a Torpedo Bomber another Vintage Shoot.
I recently completed my first Calendar for 2023 in December of 2022, I reach out earlier that Year to a Construction Company in Vadnais Height MN about using their trucks for a calendar shoot that I’d like to do with models. The Owner agreed to let me, and coming up with themes for each was the most challenging ever. I finished and gave all the models their copies and the owner a digital and printed copy
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Listen to your models’ ideas, and make sure they are comfortable when shooting.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jean_bour_jr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuarterHorsePhotography
Image Credits
Amy Lee, Amber Appel, Aria Arcana, Elena Michelle Surface, Michelle Mae Blood, Lorali Diaz, and Katt
