Meet Javin Brontley-Helsel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Javin Brontley-Helsel.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Well growing up in the Sedona / Cottonwood area there aren’t a ton of things to really do. As a kid, I always use to enjoy taking pictures of my friends and family and maybe when I went on hikes or was just outside to capture the moment. My family would say I should get into it and pursue it but as a child, I thought it was kind of silly, so I ignored it. After graduating high school, I attended Yavapai community college for its fire academy, but I felt like I just wanted to do more. So I enlisted in the USAF (United States Airforce) and was immediately stationed in Guam for my first duty station. This is where my photography really began. I go out and shoot and create as much as I can because it’s something I just love to do. It feels to me like life is to fast and things are overlooked but with photos and videos you can relive these moments through them, and I want to be able to do that for people in a unique and emotional level. I’m still currently in the military but use it to help me travel and move around to experience new places and people and learn from it all.

Please tell us about your art.
My art is something I yet have labeled because I don’t wont to be limited to what I can or can’t do. I just enjoy being able to see that look on someone’s face when doing a photo shoot for them and they look at themselves as if it was someone completely different. I like to be alone and can be very distant so when it comes to what I think I create the most is a more moody and emotional kind of art. I think emotion and feelings are what makes art special. Being able to express yourself through whatever it is you do. I would say if you ever found yourself in a position to “do it or not do it” I say take the leap and go with it because nothing in life is promised and if something makes you happy, who are we to deny ourselves that. I just hope when it comes to looking at my artwork people can just feel encouraged and moved. I hope that I can one-day influence people not only as an artist but a human being.

What do you think about the conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think it has gotten harder just because there is so much that can be taken from art and there are so many different forms and with art, I believe that it is whatever anyone wants it to be. I don’t post my things with the impression of this photo “means this,” and that’s it. So being able to have things that multiple people can look at and feel something different is becoming bigger and more competitive. I think that just having more understanding of the art world or maybe hosting and creating places artists can go to work or share their own work and branch out and meet others who do similar things. Take bigger names in the artist community and allow people starting out talk and learn from those who have already thrived and created a name for themselves.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I only have an Instagram right now where I showcase my photos but will be expanding to other platforms soon.
Instagram is @justjphoto

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @justjphoto

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