When photographer Jamie Kripke was sixteen, his parents arranged for him to meet with a career counselor. After extensive interviews and a four-hour multiple choice personality profile exam, they all sat down to talk about Jamie's future. That's when he was told that he was a creative kid with a gift for technical, hands-on work and that he might make a good researcher in a laboratory, possibly working with high-tech materials—like ceramics. Yes, ceramics.

Ten years later, Jamie's found his calling, creating images for magazines, design firms and ad agencies across the country, but it comforts him to know that if the photography thing doesn’t pan out, there will always be a lab out there in need of a ceramics researcher.

07.30.08

The Value of Really Ugly Socks

If you have a degree in what field is it? After time spent in business and pre-med, I finally graduated with a degree in philosophy.

What was your strangest assignment? I photographed Sebastien Foucan, who practices a sport called Parkour, a type of acrobatics that takes place on buildings in urban areas. He only spoke French, but talked to me all afternoon like I understood him. A few of the things he did for the camera were absolutely terrifying. I thought I was going to watch him kill himself.

Which photographer would you like to meet? Martin Munkacsi.

What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? George W. Bush—as long as I get to pick the location and wardrobe.

Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? Every year my mother-in-law gives me really ugly socks for Christmas. They have become my lucky socks, and I always wear them on shoots.

Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? I can’t not think of anything that I might not consider refraining from retouching. (Yes.)

From where do your best ideas originate? Watching ordinary people in ordinary places.

How do you overcome a creative block? First I’ll go to the MoMA and do a counterclockwise lap, from bottom to top. Then I’ll ride my bike in a straight line for a long time. Then I sketch in my journal. Then I pick up my camera and start shooting.

Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? My wife and I host a five-minute film festival every year. And, right now, I’m teaching myself to play the ukulele.

What music are you listening to right now? Jeremy Sole—a DJ on KCRW.com

What’s your approach to balancing work and life? Still working on it. For the most part I work until I feel like I need to play, then I’ll play until I feel the need to work. I thought I had the balance point figured out, then I had a daughter.

What's your favorite quote? I love all of Bruce Mau’s "Incomplete Manifesto for Growth," but my favorite part is: “The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight and vast creative potential.”

Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Show the work you want to do. If you don’t love it don’t do it. Try not to buy a bunch of gear. Your back will thank you later. And when you do buy gear, spend more money for the good stuff that will last forever. You'll be glad you did.

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? Nothing—that’s what makes the whole process worthwhile.