A Day In The Life Of Jessy Menchaca – An iPhone Photographer Bundled With Talent And Passion

© Jessy Menchaca – “Sad Bunny in Vegas” – App Used – Hipstamatic

JC – Let’s start at the beginning of the day, how does your day start?

JM – My first alarm goes off at 7am, and I usually snooze it a couple times. I get up, make myself some coffee, and get ready for work.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Killin’ them with his shoe game” – Apps used – Hipstamatic

JC – Do you like to head out and take photographs early on?

JM – I usually don’t take pictures till I’m on my way to work, or after work. If I see something that I most definitely MUST take a shot of, I’ll turn around and capture it. If I don’t do it, it will be on my mind all day long.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Morris and the Los Angeles Local” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – How did the transition from traditional photographer to iPhoneographer develop? (pardon the pun).

JM – There was really no transition. I was never passionate about photography until I was issued an iPhone 3Gs at work. I scrolled through my News Feed on Facebook and saw a picture that one of my friends had taken with Hipstamatic. I searched for it on Facebook, then scrolled through the page and saw an amazing picture taken by Flemming Schmidt and I automatically downloaded the app. I took a pic of the shadow of my heels and I was hooked.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Young Love” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – Do you like to download new iPhoneography apps regularly?

JM – Not really. I am happy with the ones I currently have.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Sunset Love” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – How often do you update your existing apps?

JM – I’ll confess I am quite horrible. Unless it’s an important app, like Hipstamatic, or Scratchcam.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Beautiful Oceanside” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – Where’s your favorite place in the world for a shoot?

JM – I loved shooting at the Observatory in L.A., the sunsets there are the most beautiful I have ever seen. I enjoyed shooting people in Las Vegas and anything and everything in New York!

© Jessy Menchaca – “Under the Pier” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – Do you also use iPhone photography tool apps, such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris and if so do you use it to plan your shoots?

JM – I don’t. I like to learn as I go, and I also like to learn from people in my various groups, like Cara Gallardo, Roger Clay, Clay Butch Benskin.

© Jessy Menchaca – “After Ruby’s” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – Where do you like to upload your photographs? Flickr, Instagram?

JM – I upload almost on a daily basis on Facebook, EyeEm, and Instagram.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Fishing on the Pier” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – What are your favorite, at the moment, iPhoneography apps?

JM – Hipstamatic, Scratchcam and Blender.

© Jessy Menchaca – “The Flowers He Sent” – Apps used – Native Camera, Juxtaposer, Blender, Scratchcam

JC – Do you take photographs with your iPhone everyday?

JM – I try to. Sometimes, when I feel uninspired, my boyfriend Morris allows me to take pictures of him. I’d say he’s my muse.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Invitation” – Apps used – Native Camera, ColorSplash, Iris

JC – What are your favorite subjects?

JM – Some of my favorite subjects are street photography, and portraits. If ever I see an interesting piece of street art, it’s a must to turn around and snap a shot.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Blinded” – Apps used – Native Camera, ColorSplash, Labelbox, Scratchcam

JC – What are your top five tips for iPhone photography?

JM – When shooting people in the street, aim your iPhone, shoot and keep walking.

1. Have no regrets. If you like something, shoot it.
2. When you’re feeling like you’re out of material, revisit your shots. I always find something. (Roger Clay taught me that)
3. Back up your iPhone so that in case anything happens, you don’t lose your pictures.
4. Join iPhoneography groups on Facebook or other social networks. Seeing other people’s work is always inspiring.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Sunflowers have seen better days” – Apps used – Native Camera, BlurFX, Scratchcam

JC – How did the teaching side come along?

JM – I really haven’t taught anybody how to app up a photo. I do though, tell everybody about Hipstamatic and my favorite combos.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Victim to the Thatcher Effect” – Apps used – Native Camera, Juxtaposer, Iris, Pixlromatic

JC – Do you edit images on your iPhone or do you prefer to do that on a desktop/laptop?

JM – I edit only on my iPhone.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Cabaret” – Apps used – Native Camera, Decim8, ColorSplash, Pixlromatic

JC – Do you enjoy videography with your iPhone?

JM – The only times I use my video camera is when I record my niece, or Morris being silly. I never use it for artistic purposes.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Anxiety” – Apps used – Native Camera, SlowShutter, Pixlromatic

JC – Where do you see the future of iPhone photography?

JM – People will have no choice but to accept iPhoneography. I think it’s a movement that is here to stay.

© Jessy Menchaca – “The Woman who wore the sinful red lipstick” – Apps used – Hipstamatic, Juxtaposer, Iris

JC – What do you think is the most popular area of iPhone photography?

JM – Street photography is what I consider to be the most popular area. It is easy to sneak a shot in almost any occasion. I mean, Cara Gallardo was able to sneak a picture of Prince Charles!! lol

© Jessy Menchaca – “At the Observatory” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – Do you think it’s country specific, are some nations more clued up?

JM – It’s definitely a global movement and one that I really enjoy. It makes me NEED to travel in order to capture beauty all over the place.

© Jessy Menchaca – “When the Fair Came to Town” – App used – Hipstamatic

JC – What do you hope for in the iPhone 5?

JM – I really hope that the iPhone 5 has a higher resolution for the front facing camera. Self portraits are a BIG deal to me.

© Jessy Menchaca – “Night Trade”- Apps used – Hipstamatic, ColorSplash, Pixlromatic

JC – What do you think of Joanne and theappwhisperer.com?

JM – I think Joanne is amazing. I admire her dedication. I am her fan.

JC – Thank you Jessy, the feeling is completely mutual.

© Jessy Menchaca – “He Gives Me Butterflies” – Apps used – Native Camera, Juxtaposer, Pixlromatic

Colorsplash
Hipstamatic
Image Blender
Iris Photo Suite
Juxtaposer
Pixlromatic
Scratchcam
Slow Shutter

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