With a desire to allow his audience to interpret his work, Jon Trend captures what he sees – including obscure and oftentimes thematic details. It’s his dark, moody style, that really communicates meaning to those viewing his work.

W: Can you tell us how you got your start?
JT: It was so random how I got my start actually. I cashed in my spare change and went to Best Buy and bought the first camera I saw, then drove to the beach. After that day I was addicted. Trying to find excuse after excuse to go out and shoot. Having the camera motivated me to travel, and meet people that shared the same interests as my own. I’ve been so blessed to have this small hobby turn into a lifestyle.

W: What is your biggest inspiration?
JT: I mean it’s hard to sound original with this answer but in all honesty I wouldn’t be where I am today without my friends and family. The constant support I get from them is unbelievable, I really don’t have words for it. They are my inspiration and my motivation. I mean it helps that all of my friends are artists in some way or another, so I am constantly immersed in a creative atmosphere. It’s really hard to not find myself inspired every single day.

W: How would you describe your style?
JT: The only word that comes to mind when I ask myself this question is “moody” I always try and depict a certain mood in each of my photographs. I like to leave some of my photos up to interpretation, let the viewer decide the “mood” of the photograph. Yes, some photos the mood is very obvious. Sometimes I just like to let the bougie critics decide for themselves.

W: Tell us the story behind one of the photos/videos we’re featuring – why did you choose that photo/video to send?
JT: None of the photos I chose have a specific story behind them. Most of the photos were taken in the moment, or if something just happened to catch my eye. I mean I myself have come up with “stories” behind each photo. Like I said I like to leave it up to the viewer to decide what the story is. It makes the photograph that much more interesting to compose it in such a way that the story isn’t quite perfectly clear. It allows me and my work to engage with my audience that much more.

W: Where are your favorite spots to shoot?
JT: Oh man, there are so many. I love just walking around downtown Seattle with my camera and just taking pictures like a tourist. There’s always something going on which means there’s always new things to shoot. Whether it be the people, the city, random events happening downtown, something is always peaking my interest.

W: What kind of equipment do you use?
JT: Canon 6D, and I mostly shoot on wide angle lenses.

W: Do you have any special techniques? Do they define your style?
JT: My style is generated from the tones in my photographs. I look for and see certain things in my environment. I don’t think I have any specific quirks I do when I’m shooting, it’s just how I like to see things.

W: What challenges have you had to overcome in this industry?
JT: Social media is a blessing and curse. It has definitely helped me exponentially in my career, but because of it the market has become so saturated. Everything has just become so accessible, and because of that artists’ works are losing their value. Sometimes it’s just hard to keep up because as soon as you catch on to the latest “social trend” a new one has already taken shape. All you really have to do in this business is keep on keepin on.

W: How do you see your career progressing?
JT: Right now things are moving so fast in so many different directions. I have an idea of where I want to go with my career and have a specific creative vision, but because I am still very young in this industry I want to leave all my options open for whatever might present itself.

Jon is based in Portland.
Contact him on Instagram: jtrend_, Twitter: jtrend_, or his website: jtrend.co
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