Meet Justin Ikpo | Photographer

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

Hi Justin, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I feel like being open, honest, and flexible have been the habits I try to exercise the most. I think a lot of the relationships I’ve made so far through my photography have been about getting to know my subjects as deeply as I can — even if it’s a quick shoot. It’s led to more creative ideas and more freeing shoots, thus strengthening the final product.

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 started shooting photography in 2019. I’m also a musician, which was my main creative outlet for several years. Photography ultimately filled a huge creative void for me after I took a long break from playing and performing in bands. I kept finding myself appreciating just how powerful the craft of capturing that genie-in-a-bottle moment was onstage. In many ways, shooting artists is a direct extension of actually performing. I ran toward it and never looked back since.

Professionally, I want my work to really slap you in the face; I want it to connect with you in more ways than one. When I started shooting, I had a lot of imposter syndrome. A few of my mentors really helped me in pushing through that fear, which helped me find my creative voice. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that your raw talent is only as important as what you do with it. I have a lot to say and try my best to speak through my work. To me, it’s all about staying true to your voice and letting the work speak for itself.

Personally, I’m excited to see Fort Worth’s continued growth. I’ve only been based here for a little over a year, but I’m proud to play a small role in our city’s vibrant arts community. I’m also happy to see the continued growth the city is experiencing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many places that I love in Fort Worth. My main itinerary would involve eating and drinking our way through town, paired with a lot of sightseeing.

I would definitely start by taking them to Marion Sansom Park for an early hike. When it’s not scorching, it’s truly a wonderful way to see Fort Worth’s natural beauty. I’d then take them out for a drink to some of my favorite hangouts on Magnolia Ave., including Grandma’s, Shinjuku Station, Proper, and Upper 90 for a soccer match. Downtown would be next; it’s always fun to take a stroll and get lost within the historic city streets and landscapes. Sundance Square and the water gardens are a must, along with some strolls at the bookstores and vinyl shops like Union Station. Some of my favorite spots are Picchi Pacchi Pizzeria, Tinies, Thompson’s Bookstore, Malone’s Pub, and The Bearded Lady.

Northside is wonderful and historic, filled with a ton of great businesses and views from the city. It also feeds into the stockyards, which are a right-of-passage around here. Even though I don’t spend a ton of time there, you always find something new when you visit. West 7th is also always fun, too. I’d also show off our wonderful cultural district and museums. I respect the exhibits that the city features. Riverside and Scenic Bluff also feature some good eats and sightseeing including Saint Marie Records, Caliscience, and The Post. Also, go to Haltom City for some of the best Vietnamese food the city has to offer. I’d be sure to top it off with some live music at Tulips, Pinky’s Jazz Lounge, and Lola’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Kim, has been my biggest supporter from the jump. She’s always encouraged my work and has really helped sharpen my eye. My friends and mentors Adam Helm, Eli Jones, and Justin Mott (to name a few) all have brilliant minds and have keenly kept me seeing a bigger vision for myself.

Website: https://www.justinikpo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinikpo.photo/

Image Credits
Justin Ikpo ©