Jake Holmes is a Chilliwack-based photographer and drummer, known as the drummer for local band “Blessed.” Many of the shots on his Instagram focus on architecture, nature, and landscapes throughout North America taken between tour gigs with the band. Sitting with The Cascade, Jake shares with us some of his inspirations, journey into photography, and how he fuels his creative drive. You can find him on Instagram @jjollmmesshh.
When did you first start shooting film?
I started to get into thrifting around 2010/11. I found this really crappy point and shoot that stopped working after a year. I wasn’t using it a lot, but I was having fun, just going around the neighborhood. My parents’ house is close to an industrial area in Chilliwack, so I would go there and take black and white photos. They told me that my grandpa had a bunch of photography equipment laying around from when he’d practice landscape photography. I thought maybe I can try this out with these lenses that can change between bodies. I just started kind of learning about it as I went. I had no formal training, aside from reading a little bit on the internet. More than anything, just screwing around and finding stuff that I liked.
Does photography provide a meditative break between gigs, or does it further stoke your creative drive?
Totally. Before or after a show, it’s great to bring a camera and just disappear for a short while during some downtime. Getting to take off for a bit before a show or on a day off is a great way for me to take a deep breath and just have some time alone. Being on tour, we’re all in the van together. Even if we don’t talk all day. We’re always together. Sometimes minor stressors can turn into big stressors. Finding a balance in that scenario is super important. When I’m focusing on something and trying to get it right, that’s the only thing that exists in that moment. Even if I’m taking a picture of a pile of garbage, that pile of garbage is the most beautiful, intricate, most interesting thing I’ve seen all day.
Does your perspective of certain places and moments change after you develop your images?
It just makes me want to go back to those places. My memory there may have either been a good time or a bad time. However, the photos I get, I always remember enjoying being there at that moment.
What photo techniques would you like to try down the road?
I’m experimenting right now. I just bought a digital camera, Fujifilm X-T3. It came with some lenses that I didn’t have any experience with. That’s been really exciting. I’m getting to shoot at night a lot, because that was something where I would try and shoot at night, but I just couldn’t ever get it right. I feel like with the experience right now of shooting at night digitally, I’ll be more equipped in the future. I’m also interested in trying out portraits and creative photo sessions that I can then artistically embellish on my computer through Lightroom.
What advice might you give for those looking to dive into photography as a new hobby?
I think I would just recommend experimenting. I’d suggest learning about exposure, shutter speed, and manual focus as well. Overall, though, experimenting is definitely key. Also getting a camera where you can use the focus ring on the lens. There are so many affordable film cameras out there. 35 millimeter film cameras are generally the most accessible. You can still find one from the eighties or the seventies, and mechanically it works great. Get a Pentax. They’re cheap. I’ve used mine for years and haven’t ever felt like I needed to get the next big thing.
Is there anything else you’d like the readers of The Cascade to know?
Even though I’ve been taking photos for 10 years or so, I still feel like a beginner and I still get discouraged and sometimes just want to stow the camera away for months at a time and not take photos. However, I think persistence is crucial: keeping it up and not letting yourself become discouraged. Even when you’re like, “why isn’t it working? Why does this shot absolutely suck, but the next one is great?” Sticking to it and figuring it out will then give you the reward of being able to take good photos and develop your overall style.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Kellyn Kavanagh (they/he) is a local writer, photographer, and musician. They first started writing what they now know to be flash fiction stories in the third grade when they learned how to make little books with a couple sheets of printer paper and a stapler. Their work typically focuses on non-ficiton journalism, short horror fiction, and very depressing poetry.