Revisiting Film Photography

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I've been experimenting with an Holga 120S plastic medium format film camera connected to my Profoto studio lights— I'm pleasantly surprised at how well they work together. I have not seriously shot film since first learning photography in the '90s on a 35mm Pentax K-1000. Memories—I used to print my images in a group darkroom and nobody had cell phones. Below are some results from a recent shoot at my studio, in collaboration w/fellow photographer Mariya Stangl who kindly offered to pose.

It's nice to be reminded of what felt possible then vs what feels possible now, to slow down intentionally, to see what can happen when limited to 12 frames, and to wait for the roll to be processed and scanned (I'm not set up to develop my own film again). Single exposures, double exposures, triple exposures, maybe some light leaks. I am thinking this is something I can offer as a fun add on to a digital portrait session.

Corporate Work for Reach

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I recently had a two-day, on-site job at Reach, a Redwood City-based company working on wireless power solutions.

I was able to help Reach with all of my service specialties: Leadership Headshots, Workplace Photography (including office life, meeting room/white board, and lab shots), Event Photography for an all-hands meeting, and of course a large Group Portrait while everyone was in town and on-site.

I was even able to recommend and coordinate with a photographer based in DC (shout out to Shala Graham!) for one team leader who lives there and was unable to travel to the Bay Area. I sent Shala my lighting diagram and some examples so her headshots could blend seamlessly with mine.

This was an ideal job for me in terms of scope, and everyone at Reach made it a pleasure.

If you are looking for team headshots or workplace photography, please contact me at jb@jaimeborschuk.com or schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultation.

APA Something Personal Exhibition 2023

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My portrait of Varvara Liakounakou from the Mudhouse residency in Greece last summer was selected as one of the top 100 images for the San Francisco APA chapter’s annual Something Personal exhibition.

Portrait of Varvara Liakounakou at Mudhouse in Agios Ioannis, Crete, Greece.

This year was a return to print after a few years of doing everything virtually. It was great to be out in community with fellow photographers for the in-person show on December 2. See the full exhibitor lineup and online gallery here.

With Tether Collective studio mates at the Something Personal Exhibition at Left Space, 12/2/23.

Editorial Work for The San Franciscan

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I am thrilled to be part of in the new, Fall/Winter issue of The San Franciscan. Four of my images were published alongside reporting by David Palm.

Michael Norris on the construction site of Esperanza Place, his future home.

This story is about a Habitat for Humanity affordable housing project in Walnut Creek and the featured portrait is future resident Michael Norris. Thanks to Creative Director Amanda Legge for the opportunity.⁣ In addition to the print version, the digital version just went live here.

Fleet Week Event

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I was invited onto a boat last week for a very hot day of capturing folks enjoying the Fleet Week air show. My job was to focus on the people and I decided to mix strobe lighting and full on sun to illuminate the crowd and capture the brightness of the day.

Mudhouse 2023

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In July I attended the Mudhouse Residency in Crete, Greece for the second time. The first time I went, in 2019, I rented a car and drove to nearby villages and towns to make pictures of architecture and surroundings.

Images from my 2019 Mudhouse Residency

This time I made environmental portraits of the other artists attending. Among us were painters, drawers, printmakers, intermedia and fiber artists, an architect, a musician, a cartographer, a dancer, and a playwright.

Film Process artist Lauren Oliver in her temporary bedroom at Mudhouse 2023

Mudhouse offers three, two-week residency sessions each summer in a small village called Agios Ioannis, where artists live and create for their session duration. The village is small and serviceable with a single Kafenion, owned by a sweet family who prepares and serves all of our meals. The village was abandoned at one point, and later some homes were reclaimed and renovated, so it is now a compelling and visually interesting mix of rubble and life. Each resident is assigned a unique living space and, since I am drawn to environmental portraiture, my project choice this year was a perfect way for me to collaborate with other residents and sneak a peek at all of their respective interiors.

Image of Mudhouse Co-Founder Jenny Carolin in her Studio in Agios Ioannis 2023

For the first week of the residency everyone presents a selection of work they’ve made leading up to now, which gives everyone a chance to know each other better and see the context for the work produced at the residency.

Mudhouse Co-Founder Varvara Liakounakou in her home in Agios Ioannis 2023

It is a priveledge to make art and dine with artists of other disciplines for two weeks straight (we did take beach breaks). I am glad to have documented this moment in time and to have had a reason to collaborate with all of these incredible people. We even had a group exhibition at the end, and my copy store prints weren’t half bad! View the full Mudhouse 2023 gallery.

My final exhibition presentation of 15 portraits

Why You Want Hair and Makeup Services with Your Next Headshot

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Is it time to get a new professional headshot? Have you ever had a studio headshot with professional hair and makeup services? If not, let me tell you why it makes a big difference.

Shana Astrachan applying makeup before a photo session

I was a photo client myself a few years ago and experienced a portrait session in the controlled environment of a comfortable studio with a hair and makeup artist on-site. I went into the session wearing the minimal amount of make-up that I usually wear and one of the three outfits I planned to capture in the photos. After choosing background colors with the photographer, I spent fifteen minutes in the makeup artist's chair. She took care of the mascara smeared on my eyelid, applied a natural amount of makeup that made me feel years younger, tickled soft brushes everywhere to tame the shine, and herded my flyaway hairs to better places. It was soothing and spa-like to sit in that chair and transition away from my stressful day and toward the moment before the camera. I felt relaxed and attractive, which is exactly how you want to feel when having your photo taken.

I now offer studio portrait sessions in my San Francisco studio in Potrero Hill, and am partnering up with local hair and makeup artist Shana Astrachan to offer a limited number of sessions for a special rate on Sunday, August 27. Details & Booking Here. We can't wait to work with you!

Examples of Headshots by Jaime Borschuk, all Hair & Makeup by Shana Astrachan