Meet Lincoln Heights Photographer: Jon Dragonette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Dragonette.

Jon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m from a small town in upstate New York. I have an identical twin brother, who happens to be the raddest dude around. We are sons to the most bitchinest Dad and the sweetest mom. My mom actually got me into photography. She wanted to be a photographer when she grew up but getting pregnant at 19 with twins ( she didn’t know she was having twins till we were born) Put a damper on those plans. Still loving the art she got me my first camera when I was maybe 13, I think it was a Vivitar, a real piece of shit, I thought cool, I can now take photos of all my friends and document our skateboard trips. That’s really the only thought I put into it. it wasn’t something I was passionate about, I mean I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was skate and chase tail. It wasn’t till after high school that I started giving it more thought and it was really only cause I was faced with the question what the fuck do I do now? I bounced around, taking random college course then dropping out. Then shitty random jobs to make money, I realized I hated both. I decided to take a few photo classes at a community college and that’s where it clicked. I was now shooting images other than skateboarding and it really drew me in. There was so much I could do with this medium, so I took off running all the way to Sunny California.

Has it been a smooth road?
Road! HA! For the majority of this journey, I have been wandering around in the woods looking for even the slightest sign of a path to get me going in some sort of direction. A smooth road wasn’t even a thought. I was in survival mode! I had very little formal training, no degree, no professors guiding me. I was this young kid with a 35mm camera just trying to figure out where I was going.

Have you ever wanted to stop doing what you do and just start over?
There have been tons of tough moments, and sure, there were moments where I felt like quitting especially in the start of my career. I mean, to me, without those moments you could never gauge your dedication or passion, and without knowing how passionate or dedicated you are you certainly can’t progress or push yourself. As tough as these moments are, I try to turn them into a positive. Nothing that comes easy is very rewarding or has much longevity to it. These times in my career usually mark a turning point, new direction, new techniques or new subject matter. Rather than throw in the towel or give up I embrace the struggle use it as a way to test myself and just keep forging ahead. Keep on trucking.

Let’s change gears – is there any advice you’d like to give?
Just keep shooting, if you love photography then just keep shooting and shooting and then shoot some more. It’s the best way to keep progressing and that is what’s important.

Is there something you are particularly excited about or working towards?
I’m in the stages of working with a really amazing organization, I can’t give too many details but all I can say is I am really inspired and it has opened my eyes to a whole new world to turn my lens too. Just super excited to get this project rolling so I can share it with the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: dragonettephotography.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @jondragonette