JACKIE COLE
M: Name, Age?
Jackie: Jacquelyn Cole, 31 - but everyone knows me as Jackie.
M: Big 3? (sun, moon, rising)
Jackie: Aquarius sun, gemini moon, virgo rising
M: Occupation?
Jackie: Co-founder / creative-director / freelance photographer
In 2016, my partner Joe and I founded a boutique digital media agency. It originated with product photography, social media management, advertising, and worked up to rebrands, commercial work, campaign management, and then some. We have been fortunate to work with some very talented creatives around-the-world! On the side, I enjoy taking on personal photography projects ranging from travel publications, product/food photography, and hotels.
M: Where in the world are you currently? What places are coming up?
Jackie: I am currently in Cape Town, South Africa for three months! Next up, is a two-week road trip through the deserted roads of Namibia, and onward plans to Rwanda, Zambia, and maybe Ethiopia, Senegal or Kenya. I am still working out the details! After Africa, I plan on returning state-side for an annual touch-base in New Orleans. I like to spend a couple months there as a “home-base” to reorganize my situation and to stock up on some essentials before taking off again!
M: What did you want to be as a kid?
Jackie: Honestly, I had a challenging upbringing and was never very interested in school, so I don’t remember wanting to be something specific - but I knew I wanted to grow up, gain my independence, and fast.
There was a time at the age of 14 when I started taking Polaroid pictures of friends, mundane things, and self-portraits. I thought to myself- I love this process. Shortly after, I joined the darkroom in high school and purchased my first SLR 35mm camera - a Pentax k1000 with a broken light meter. I became interested in photographers like Andy Warhol, mostly his early work as a photojournalist and eventually his Polaroid work too. The artist lifestyle intrigued me!
I spent countless hours making prints in the darkroom and would often skip classes or lunch to stay just a little longer. It was the perfect escape during that time of my life. Unfortunately, my approach to photography after high school was sporadic. I didn’t have much time to shoot, and I felt generally uninspired.
Then I met Joe. He pushed me to buy my cameras and practice like crazy. Eventually, we took the leap and started our business on the basis of product photography and advertising. Everything sort of fell into place after that. Since choosing to take the business remote and to live a nomadic lifestyle- I have been fortunate to photograph in places I’ve only ever dreamed of!
M: What inspires you? What keeps you creating?
Jackie: I draw the most inspiration from constant movement and light, especially when it comes to photography. Whenever I land in a new place, I'm eager to explore it, camera in hand. I love strolling down local markets and wandering aimlessly through streets, without a set plan in mind. When the light is just right, I can easily get lost in the moment, fascinated by my surroundings and capturing vignettes of life as I see it.
Apart from photography, I find inspiration in reading too, particularly the classics and the beats. Some of my favorite writers like Charles Bukowski, Patti Smith, Henry Miller, and Paulo Coelho remind me to live in a non-conforming, true-to-self way and to keep on this path - exploring the depths of life.
M: Favorite camera to shoot on? Favorite film?
Jackie: My most cherished film camera is an Olympus XA. It’s a tiny rangefinder camera that can fit in a coat pocket. I purchased it several years ago from an estate sale, and it remains a constant go-to when traveling and documenting life. I have recently been keeping her loaded with Ilford Delta 400- a beautiful combination that I feel captures my vision intimately.
M: Favorite place you’ve traveled & a dream destination you’d like to visit?
Jackie: Vietnam was the destination that sparked my fascination and curiosity for authentic travel. I spent four months wandering the city of Saigon, making my way through Mui ne Beach, and the coffee regions of Dalat, boarding an 11-hour train to the north of the country, falling in love with the yellow walls of Hoi An, and partied in the lively streets of Hanoi, crouched down on miniature plastic stools drinking my fare share of 30 cent bia hoi’s. It was honestly a trip of a lifetime, and I highly recommend anyone in their 20’s to experience something like that. I often fantasize about returning to Vietnam and doing it all over again!
As for a dream destination- it has to be Japan. While Paris was my first dream destination, and I can confirm it exceeded all my expectations, I believe Japan will be truly special. Who knows, maybe 2024 will finally be the year I make it happen!
M: A habit to make each new place feel like home?
Jackie: Unloading the suitcase is the very first thing to do when staying at a place *long-term (*anything over five days for me). Second is stocking up the place with simple items- good coffee is mandatory, eggs, butter, bread, and wine. For a personal touch: fresh flowers and maybe a candle.
M: City or country? Seaside or mountains?
Jackie: I love living in a city, especially when I need to catch up on work, and I love the energy it brings and the ability to try new places to eat & drink. However, being close to nature is essential for my inspiration, relaxation, and overall mental clarity.
I have a particular love for places where the mountains meet the sea. The combination of the two has a way of making both you and your troubles feel small. But if I had to choose one, I'd prefer a leisurely beach walk to a strenuous mountain hike any day, and I'd opt for a city flat over a rural country cottage.
M: Something you’ve done that you’re proud of this year?
Jackie: I had a handful of photographs published for a magazine I’ve admired for a long while - Voyageurs Du Monde. They’re a French Travel Agency and I just love their overall style. They work with some incredible talent and I am honored to be included!
M: Challenges that we don’t see on IG of living as a nomad?
Jackie: I have lived nomadically since August 2016 and there are so many challenges that I have had to accept/overcome living this kind of lifestyle. To avoid the risk of psyching you out, here are 5!
Minimize. You have to learn to be a minimalist when you are limited to about 23kgs/50lbs - a constant challenge for me, as naturally, I like to collect things like books, vinyls, cameras, bags, coffee mugs, jackets, and boots. It all adds up!
Organization & Planning. There can be a bit of anxiety when you don’t have upcoming plans. They rely logistically on where you are in the world, costs, and functionality. It’s a very spontaneous way of living and can be exhausting at times. When plans are set - it's exciting but it is always good to keep an open mind and a sense of humor because life doesn't always go to plan!
Accommodations. Where you stay can sometimes make or break your experience. If work comes up and the wifi is spotty, it can be a grueling experience and a lot of time wasted. Or maybe you are too far away from things and it is difficult to get around. Other times, you may get a dud, and your entire stay can be very uncomfortable. When stuff like this happens, you have to learn to roll with the punches and remind yourself it is not permanent.
Timezones & language barriers. I am originally from the East Coast, and our clients are mostly EST, so I love being in places that have a time advantage. That way mornings or afternoons become sacred. It gives me the flexibility to go out and shoot, wander, read, go for a swim, or have a leisurely coffee break. In other places, you may lose hours and can feel all out of sorts for a while.
When you first begin traveling long-term- language barriers can be stressful and sometimes lonely. However, learning a few basics like hello, please, and thank you can go a long way. When in doubt- there is always a universal language we can all communicate with. You’ll find that people are very kind and willing to help all around the world!
Family, friends, and holidays. It can be difficult for others to understand your lifestyle at first. You will also have to learn to deal with missing out on life events, family gatherings, and holidays.
M: If you weren’t a photographer what would your path be?
Jackie: I LOVE food and drink. I feel that it is the one way that I know I can connect with people from all around the world.
So in an alternate universe, I think I would like to own a restaurant or wine bar. Perhaps I could explore the possibilities of becoming a sommelier or chef, and work on my own terms with the freedom to express my creativity.
M: What are you dreaming about?
Jackie: More time offline, to live in the present moment, preferably somewhere inspiring by the sea. Joe and I, a neighboring kitty or two, left alone to dive head first into the creative ideas we’ve put off—a lot of slow days to get them onto our preferred canvasses. — That’s something I often dream about. 🌀
Follow along Jackie’s artwork and adventures here.