FAINT WAVES

Hailing from Springfield, Missouri, this is a brief spotlight on photographer and all-around visual dynamo, James Montero. The images above, while some of my favorites, are just a small sampling of James’ large and diverse body of work.

Some of you reading this might recognize a couple of the pieces I’ve included in this editorial; that’s because James is a close friend of mine and an associate of Faint Waves, having contributed pieces that I’ve used for everything from profile photos to album covers. We have a long and storied history together and to say we’ve been through a lot would be an understatement. We’ve watched each other work and rise in our respective fields and supported one another along the way too. This isn’t just a puff piece to prop up a friend either (he doesn’t need it!). I’ve been a fan and admirer of James’ work in photography and video for a long time, hence why I’ve utilized him in my own branding and visual work. I wanted to write this today, as I had actually been meaning to write it for a while, and because it is his birthday.

James’ work can be hard to describe, simply because his body of work is so varied and because he has such a distinct visual style; he very much has what a lot of artists strive for, a “you know it when you see it” sort of quality. While he’s grown and changed over the years along with his art, one thing hasn’t: his immediately distinguishable perspective. Sure, there are some things you can point to, especially in the limited sampling of images I’ve provided. There’s a bold use of color, whether saturated or desaturated, often giving way to warm and inviting hues. There’s a strong and often directional use of lighting and shadows. There are clear and present focal points, whether single or multiple subjects. No matter what, James knows exactly where to draw your eye, even when the rest of the image is just as much a visual feast. Technique isn’t all I would highlight in James’ work, though.

So much of what I personally admire in James’ imagery isn’t just technical but rather how everything culminates in the atmosphere, the aura, the mood. There’s a lightheartedness to some of James’ work, as much as there is a sort of visual melodrama. There’s this carefree, devil may care ambiance that’s ever present, but also a story. Each photo is like James captured a moment right before the end of the world; a strong sense of momentary bliss immediately prior to absolute chaos. All of his subjects and work may be closely rooted in reality, but the resulting composition always veers closer to the abstract, the surreal, something more idyllic and fleeting. Despite working largely in the medium of photography, there’s a painterly aspect, especially to the images I’ve included above. It’s the kind of work that gets the imagination going, that makes you wonder. It’s ethereal, dreamy, intangible, and evocative.

All of this to say, you know it when you see it.

Happy birthday, man. Here’s to you and 15 years of friendship.

~ FW.