Interview with Jan-Tore Oevrevik | An Award-Winning Photographer & Owner of JTO Photography

Hey there! I'm JT, also known as Jan-Tore Oevrevik, the spirited Norwegian-American photographer with a knack for turning life's moments into vivid stories. My adventure started back in 1998, in my bathroom-turned-darkroom. That first taste of film development, kindled in a local photography course, was like opening a door to an exhilarating world I never knew existed!

I like to think of the world as my classroom! While I'm mostly self-taught, my journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Economy and Marketing, followed by university studies in Creative Web and Graphical Design.

Over the years, I've taught design using Adobe software and held photography courses, becoming an Adobe Photoshop Certified Expert in 2002. Although I've taken countless photographs along the way, it was only in recent years that I turned this passionate hobby into a full-fledged profession. I've attended various workshops with world-renowned photographers, absorbing their techniques and tweaking them to make them my own.

I graduated as one of the top students from Photoserge Academy and have devoured countless online lessons from well-reputed photographers. Each step has been about layering knowledge, refining skills, and capturing life through my lens in ever more compelling ways.

I remember it like it was yesterday! My very first shot was with my dad’s camera. I was just a kid at the time, standing in front of our cabin on a quaint little island.

The backdrop was a breathtaking fjord, stretching out into the distance, and a charming little lighthouse standing watch. It was one of those magical moments that just sticks with you, kindling a lifelong love for capturing the beauty of the world around me.

Today, I'm all about Sony. I’m currently using their latest gem, the A7RV, along with a selection of Sony’s newest GM lenses. It’s like having an artist’s finest brushes at my fingertips! What I love most about Sony is not just the sublime quality of the images, but also the smaller, lighter gear. It’s just perfect for someone like me who’s always on the go, ready to capture the next scene.

One of the most touching compliments I receive is when someone tells me, 'Your pictures make me want to visit those places,' or 'I feel drawn into your pictures.' Hearing that really affirms that I’ve accomplished my mission of not just capturing scenes, but evoking emotions and inspiring wanderlust.

Beyond that, I’m continually inspired by the community of photography friends I’ve made over the years. We stay in touch, exchange compliments, challenge each other, and travel together. It’s this blend of feedback and camaraderie that really enriches my journey as a photographer.

My inspiration for storytelling springs from my travels with my wife. It's vital for us to explore places that captivate us both—stunning locales that don't require extreme feats like mountain climbing. We seek out destinations with a 'wow' factor, where we can both savor the beauty of nature and cities together, sharing and enriching our experiences.

When I shoot, I look for unique vantage points or seek to capture something truly beautiful and intriguing, carefully considering the foreground, middle ground, and background. As I mentioned earlier, my ultimate goal is to inspire others to visit these places—to ignite a desire in them to explore and discover the same beauty and peace in our world of wonders.

Vibrant, immersive, and inspiring.

Thank you! It is an incredible honor to receive the MUSE Photography Awards, an accolade that affirms the dedication and effort I invest in my crafts as well as my creative vision and the pursuit of photography. My pursuit of capturing unique and powerful stories through my lens is honored. Not to forget, my wife's unwavering support has been the key throughout this journey. This award not only signifies my artistic growth but also celebrates our mutual passion for exploring and documenting the world. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing the boundaries of my work, aiming to inspire others with the beauty we uncover together.

I handpicked some of my favorite shots to enter the MUSE Photography Awards.

Winning awards like those from the MUSE Photography Awards has been a significant milestone in my career. Each award serves as both a statement of accomplishment and a proof of my dedication to the craft of photography. These recognitions have not only bolstered my reputation but have also made it easier to market and sell my work. While I am honored by each award I receive, I am always on the lookout for new challenges and accolades. I believe that continuing to compete and succeed in various prestigious forums can further enhance my visibility and credibility in the art world, opening more doors and creating more opportunities to share my vision with a broader audience.

Tim Laman, Albert Dros, and Sergei Ramelli.

One of the best pieces of advice I received came from Serge Ramelli, a seasoned photographer, who suggested using the camera on my iPhone to scout the perfect angles, perspectives, and framings for my shots. This technique involves moving around the scene, holding my phone low and high to pinpoint the ideal viewpoint before setting up my professional camera.

It’s a simple yet effective strategy that leverages the convenience and agility of a smartphone, making it much easier to experiment with different compositions quickly. This approach has become an integral part of my shooting process and has significantly contributed to the success of my photographs.

If you're diving into the world of photography today, my best piece of advice is to bring your camera along as often as you can. Practice really does make perfect! Experiment with shooting in various weather conditions and lighting scenarios. Focus on finding unique angles that highlight a beautiful or clean foreground, avoiding clutter that can detract from your main subject.

After each session, take the time to review your images critically—identify what worked and what didn’t, and consider why. Learning from other photographers is invaluable, but the most crucial ingredient? Passion. It fuels your journey, drives your growth, and turns photography from a hobby into an art form. So keep that passion alive, and let it guide you through your photographic adventures!

My key to success is my passion. This drive keeps me focused, whether capturing serene sunrises or the tranquil blue hour after sunset. What may look like a vacation to some is actually the result of hard work from dawn to dusk.

I dedicate significant time to research and scouting before I even arrive at a location. During the day, I explore to find the perfect spots, ensuring I’m ready to shoot by golden hour. Patience is crucial, especially in bird photography, where I might spend hours waiting for the right moment.

I blend into the environment and sometimes spend days tracking subjects, like when I followed pelicans for seven days, studying the wind and sun to predict their movements. This passion fuels my perseverance, allowing me to create images that are more than just photographs—they are true masterpieces. For those on a similar path: let your passion drive you and your patience guide you, and the results will follow.

While the core principles of photography—capturing light and moments—remain unchanged, the field is constantly evolving with new technologies that offer exciting possibilities. Embracing these advancements and staying open to new information is essential.

The transition from traditional darkrooms to advanced software has dramatically transformed how we enhance images. I make it a priority to stay current with the latest developments in photography technology and techniques, regularly updating my skills and integrating new tools into my workflow.

This commitment not only improves my work but also keeps my approach innovative and dynamic. By staying informed and adaptable, I ensure that I am always ready to take advantage of the best that technology has to offer.