Who are you?
My name is Jon Salazar, I’m 5’7”, and I live in Chicago, Illinois.
What do you want?
I want to continue to create, and stay inspired by friends and family.
Why photography?
My parents barely had any physical memories of their younger selves to share with us growing up, so it became an obsession, almost, to document mine.
What gear do you use?
Lately I’ve been using a Contax G2, but it can sometimes rotate to a Yashica T4 and a Canon EOS-1N.
Any interests, hobbies, or passions outside of photography?
Skateboarding, music, and filmmaking.
Music, movies, books, TV, games. What are some of your favorites? Any recommendations?
Anything to give me a good laugh. I also enjoy psychological horror/thrillers and sci-fi stuff, but usually, I like a good laugh; or weird YouTube stuff, that shit gets me going.
How did you first get into photography?
When I was a kid I naturally started filming stuff with my friends and family, but I had always taken photos in the process too. It was never a focus of mine until I got into skateboarding. At first, it was taking photos of my friends skating, cause that’s what you saw in magazines; but once I found Jai Tanju’s photoblog, it shaped the way I took photos. I loved his film photos, and how he shared life outside, in, and in-between skateboarding.
Who or what is inspiring you?
Music is constantly inspiring me, but when I see my friends making things it always gives me a boost of motivation and inspiration.
Got any words of wisdom or a favorite quote?
“Think fast, skate faster, don’t look back.” — Ed Templeton
Any other photographers you think people should check out?
Seiichi Furuya, Melissa Brandt, Jerry Hsu, Jason Nocito, Tim Barber, and Sandy Kim.
What do you wish someone would ask you?
Why keep going?
What’s the answer to that question?
Because I want to.
Anything else you’d like to add?
If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.
