Jan Welters is a fashion photographer who has had a passion for the visual arts since he was young. He started his career in Amsterdam, specializing in fashion and portrait photography. Jan has had the opportunity to photograph numerous celebrities including Keira Knightley, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Tilda Swinton, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Paradis, Marion Cotillard, Drew Barrymore, Courtney Love, Kylie Minogue, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, and Jean Paul Gaulthier, among others. In this interview with The Fashiongton Post, Jan shares some interesting stories and facts about his life.
The Fashiongton Post: Who is your greatest inspiration in fashion photography?
Jan Welters: The classics like Robert Frank, Richard Avedon, and Edward Weston.
F.P.: Your first camera?
J.W.: My dad’s Rolleicord.
F.P.: Can you describe the evolution that has occurred in your work since your first solo exhibition?
J.W.: I felt it was the right time to publish a book, which led to launch events that can be seen as solo exhibitions. I held them in Milan, Paris, and Los Angeles, where I currently reside, and they had quite a significant impact.
F.P.: What was your biggest fashion mistake?
J.W.: I once bought a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots and the next day I realized they were completely wrong for me. I ended up giving them to my assistant, who wears them well.
F.P.: What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
J.W.: My friends Johnny and Jordi always make me laugh. Johnny is my main hairdresser, so we spend a lot of time together.
F.P.: What is your perfect morning, day, and night?
J.W.: Sleeping in would be perfect. Unfortunately, it rarely happens due to my frequent travels. My perfect morning would be at home in our house at Topanga Canyon. During the day, I would like to appreciate art or watch a good film. And my ideal night would end at a restaurant on the Malibu pier with my family, watching the sunset.
F.P.: Memorable fashion moment?
J.W.: Helmut Lang’s early shows in Paris were memorable for me. It was during the late ’80s, a time when I really grew as a fashion photographer.
F.P.: Who was a person who had a big influence on you?
J.W.: The photographer who gave me my first assistant job. I was 18 years old at the time, living in Amsterdam. He landed a big advertising job in New York and asked me to come with him. He became my mentor, and we had an amazing time together. It was the early ’80s, and New York was an incredibly exciting place to be.
F.P.: What photographer alive today do you most admire?
J.W.: Paolo Roversi.
F.P.: What’s the best trip you ever made?
J.W.: The first one that comes to mind is a road trip around South Africa for D Magazine. We had a couple of weeks to shoot two fashion stories, and we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. We witnessed a moon eclipse, encountered various wild animals, and had an unforgettable experience.
F.P.: Describe the aesthetics of Jan Welters’ photography.
J.W.: I prefer simplicity. I like to eliminate anything unnecessary and get straight to the point.
F.P.: The lowest and the highest amount received for a single fashion photoshoot?
J.W.: The lowest was for an i-D magazine shoot that I financed myself. The highest paid was for an advertising job. It’s difficult to give an exact number as it depends on the fee and buyouts.
F.P.: What is your favorite spot in your home now?
J.W.: The outside patio with a view of the Canyon.
F.P.: Who among the fashion personalities that you know should we interview next?
J.W.: My wife, Lucy Pinter. She was the creative director of Superfine and is now launching a new label called dhAra.
F.P.: What advice do you have for the readers of The Fashiongton Post?
J.W.: Try to discover where your passion lies and work hard to make it happen.