We had the good fortune of connecting with Jackson Champagne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jackson, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important aspect of DYSTORTION is making work that I truly resonate with and trusting myself. I try to be completely original to my brain, when I fail, I learn from it and move on to my next idea.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a photographer/videographer. I think my style is surreal and a little abstract. My goal is for people to look at my work and see art that they’ve never seen before. I want my work to be confusing and beautiful at the same time. I’m super excited to start growing my brand into film, fashion design, and eventually into a production conglomerate. I still think I have a ton of learning and growing to do, but I got to where I am now by shooting almost every day for two years. Whether that’s concerts, editorial, events, or self portraits. I’ve probably done over 250 shoots. On days where I wasn’t shooting, I was planning shoots or researching/learning.

It was definitely a grind for a second. But I wanted to be ahead of the curve, and I didn’t want anyone to doubt my ability. I’ve had injuries, broken cameras and equipment, car failure, and burnout, but I have always managed to get out there and shoot, I don’t want anything keeping me away from growing as an artist. I love this stuff so much it’s crazy.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is to trust my gut. People will always try to bring you down, tell you that you are doing something incorrectly, underestimate you, say you’re too young, and tear you down out of insecurity. But the minute you ignore doubters and make work that is true to you, you unlock potential that you don’t know you have.

I will try my absolute hardest to positively change the landscape of art. DYSTORTION is here to stay!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the Boulder/Denver area. Here would be my itinerary for a seven day trip.

Day 1 – Let’s start chill and have dinner at Dave’s Hot Chicken, maybe lime scooter around the city and listen to street music. Sometimes you stumble upon a mind blowing jazz group.

Day 2 – Hit S Broadway and all the vintage/vinyl shops. I love the Mayan Movie theater, they play a bunch of cool indie stuff.

Day 3 – We’ve gotta do a photoshoot during the day and eliches at night. I love turning my friends/family into editorial models. I also love riding rollercoasters as the sun goes down.

Day 4 – We definitely gotta go to Boulder today. Cosmos pizza and Buddha Thai are my two favorite restaurants. Maybe some pickup basketball. I go to Colorado University so we could see a college improv or a cappella show. This could be a perfect night for RedRocks too.

Day 5 – I would love to get up to the mountains today. River Surfing in Buena Vista or cliff jumping in Dylan reservoir. I love driving up to the mountains while listening to music with the windows down. Hit Elkhorn pizza for dinner.

Day 6 – I think we go to my hometown, Colorado Springs next. See a show at Cosmos magic theater. Have dinner at 4 or COATI. Definitely spend most of the day in Manitou. It’s a great little town.

Day 7 – I like 14ers and it would be a perfect way to end a weak long trip. Bring some camera gear for nature/editorial photos. End the night with a show at Mission Ballroom.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My dad has always really pushed me to my creative potential. He’s one of my number one supporters and has always supported me and my art. (Even when it was terrible). It makes me want to take more risks and be the best I can.

Website: https://Dystortion.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dystortion_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-champagnene-60151a251/

Image Credits
1st pic – @777nayshun

2nd pic – @victor.a.elliot

3rd pic – @victor.a.elliot

4th pic – @spaconeee

5th pic – @xnaaman

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