Each month, the Brat Team highlights one of it's members. This month it is my pleasure to introduce to you Jeff of ScooYou Photography
"The dandelion is the official flower on the Military Brat"
*Tell us a bit about yourself?
*What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?
I am inspired by whatever I feel looks cool at the time. I’m very visual. I have always loved pictures and particularly love the book The Best of LIFE (circa 1973), which is a collection of the photography that appeared in LIFE magazine from its beginnings to, at least, 1973. My parents had that book, and I have occupied what adds up to be many days worth of absorbing the content of that book. I would just stare at many of those pictures and study them and feel the emotion that it evoked in me and feel that my photography should evoke strong emotions in order for me to consider it good.
*What are your favorite materials?
I use a Sony Alpha 100 digital SLR camera, Minolta HTSi Plus film SLR camera, Pentax P30-t manual focus SLR, a Holga medium format camera, various cameras from Lomography, and a pin-hole camera or two.
*What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
My wife told me to join groups of those that have a shared interest or characteristic…like being a Military Brat, for instance.
My wife told me to join groups of those that have a shared interest or characteristic…like being a Military Brat, for instance.
*Why should people buy handmade?
You can be assured that some seven year old in a third world country did not have to get up at 3AM, work at a sweat shop for 14 hours, getting paid a few cents per day to make items for some faceless corporation that sells it to the public at large. Also, handmade stuff is unique, perfectly imperfect, and cool (for the most part).
You can be assured that some seven year old in a third world country did not have to get up at 3AM, work at a sweat shop for 14 hours, getting paid a few cents per day to make items for some faceless corporation that sells it to the public at large. Also, handmade stuff is unique, perfectly imperfect, and cool (for the most part).
*What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
An option (and maybe this does exist…I’ve had so few sales…relatively) that allows people to buy without joining anything…That’s a turn off for some (me included) when you just want to buy something. Also, I would like to see more features on photographers
An option (and maybe this does exist…I’ve had so few sales…relatively) that allows people to buy without joining anything…That’s a turn off for some (me included) when you just want to buy something. Also, I would like to see more features on photographers
Old City Jail
(does not have a link)
*Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I work in the Social Service field for Janus Youth Programs, Inc. in Portland OR. I help young men who are on parole with the Oregon Youth Authority become job ready and obtain/maintain employment and complete high school or begin college. My dad told me that I was taking a vow of poverty by working this field. Apparently, there is little money available to those who help the pariahs of society.
*Read any good books lately?
I hate to admit it, but I not much of a reader. I do enjoy books, but am lazy when it comes to reading books. However, the most recent book that I read was “Never Die Easy” Walter Payton’s (former football great with Chicago Bears) autobiography.
6 foot 3….but…Since I’m only 5 foot 10 and fully grown, I think I’ll mention something a little more realistic…In ten years I’d like to be a full time photographer and no longer involved in Social Service (had to leave due to burnout). I would like to be working for National Geographic, Time, etc. and have my own gallery somewhere.
Shiny Brew
(does not have a link)
*How did you come up with your Etsy Shop Name?
My nickname in high school was Scoo (because my last name is Scooler…makes sense, huh?). Later on, when I was creating my first email address, I was trying to think of something creative and “clever”. I came up with scoo_u. Moving forward a bit…I used to take pictures of this local band, Freight Train Casanova, during their shows. One of the band members created a littler flyer for the band and put Scooyou Photography down for the photo credits….Needless to say….Okay, I’ll say anyway…The name stuck….If I were to create another shop, I think I’ll call it Scooler Than You Photography….
*What is the connection between being a Crafter and being a Brat?
I do not consider myself to be a Crafter because I don’t really “MAKE” anything except taking photos. That is not very labor intensive. I’m more of an Artist, which I do consider a subset of Crafter…or maybe it’s the other way around…oh well. I take pictures, fix them up with Photoshop and other programs, and list them on my shop with Etsy. I am an Air Force Brat, as I mentioned earlier. From there, I joined Military Brats and POE (Photographers of Etsy) teams. There is the connection. However, I stated earlier that I am not a Crafter, but I have been collecting old wooden window frames, painting them, and putting gobs and gobs of polyurethane for a good shine, and just do stuff to convert them into picture frames and hope to list them on my shop very soon….stay tuned….So, I guess I’m a crafty bratty artistic photographer.
Thank you for spending a few moments getting to know Jeff and his wonderful photography.
You can find and view Jeff's Photography for sale at Scoo You Photography on Etsy . Please visit Jeff's FB Fan Page and view many of his photos at Scoo You Photography on Flickr.
