Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Drain
Hi Justin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my interest in photography when in 2013 when my twin brother wanted me to take photos of a band performing with a point and shoot camera. I delved more into it when I took a Black & White Film Photography class at the University of North Florida in 2014. Around that time I got my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T3, that is when I got more out there and did more concert photography. My first show was to shoot was Hawaiian musician, Mishka. After that it was just about building up my portfolio. So, I would be shoot local shows in the area and juggling school as well.
In 2016, at UNF I was majoring in communications with a focus in public relations and I got an internship at The Florida Theatre. I was helping out sort memberships in the system, but they also wanted me to take photos of their shows. That is when It got more fun with seeing these performances on a bigger stage through a lens and meeting all these famous people before or after their shows. I’ve been shooting with them until 2020 right before the Covid Pandemic. I shot a couple more in 2023, before moving to Illinois for a year, working on a film project, and coming back to Florida.
Besides shooting concerts, I explored different styles photography with portraits, burlesque, cosplay, performance art, comic conventions and more. At a point, I decided that I did not want to focus on one style because I would like to have different options on what I get paid for when I am hired by the client.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning I was rough trying to understand how a film and digital camera worked but after a while it started getting better. Though building up a portfolio is nice trying to get clients to hire you is rough and because of pricing, scheduling and the biggest one communication.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional photographer based out of Jacksonville, FL. I call myself a photographer virtuoso because I specialize in different style of photography: events, conventions, portraits, cosplay, burlesque and more. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown since 2014 and how I’ve learned on how to shoot what project I am working on. What sets me apart from others is the various styles I bring to the table and how I plan out my shoots like a film for prepping.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justindrain.wixsite.com/justindrainphoto
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindrainphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justindrainphoto/
Image Credits
1. Harlot Johannson (Graffiti Portrait)
2. Isaak Wells (Headshot)
3. Iva Tabaku – (Woodland Portrait)
4. Justin Drain with Neil deGrasse Tyson
5. Syd cosplaying as Harumi from Ninjago
6. Bold Matsuri 2023 (Anime Convention)
7. Bebop Bounty Big Band performing at Underbelly 2023
8. Miss Parker performing burlesque
If you have any questions on who is who, let me know.
