Meet Jens Honoré

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jens Honoré. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jens below.

Hi Jens, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

To me there is a powerful connection on the relationship between passion, skill, and perseverance. Passion is a critical motivator, but without the dedication to put in countless hours of practice, it’s hard to achieve true mastery. It’s that consistent effort, even when it feels monotonous or challenging, that separates those who are truly great at what they do from those who merely dabble.

What stands out is the perspective on the emphasis on resilience. Passion might be the spark that ignites the fire, but resilience is what keeps it burning. It’s easy to be enthusiastic at the beginning, but maintaining that drive through setbacks, failures, and periods of doubt takes a different kind of strength. The combination of passion and resilience creates a self-reinforcing cycle: the more you practice, the better you get, and the more fulfilling your passion becomes, which then fuels your desire to keep going.

Ultimately, it’s not just about working hard; it’s about working hard with a sense of purpose, driven by something deeper than just the task at hand. That’s where real, impactful, and meaningful work is born.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

After earning my degree in photography, I dove headfirst into the industry, eager to carve out my place. Back then, the world of professional photography was a different beast—reserved for those who could wield the expensive gear and navigate a space dominated by in-person meetings with ad agencies, portfolio in hand, all printed from analog film. But from the very beginning, I was captivated by real people, in their real worlds. This fascination led me to find my niche—a sweet spot between advertisement and documentary photography. It was an approach that opened doors to a world of opportunities, and I’ve been fortunate enough to explore nearly every avenue of photography over the years.

My passion for authentic, human-driven imagery has taken me across continents, allowing me to photograph an incredible range of people, cultures, and stories. I’ve worked for a diverse roster of clients, from giants like AstraZeneca, Microsoft, Maersk, and LEGO to global publications such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine, and ESPN. It’s been a journey of storytelling that bridges the gap between corporate campaigns and raw, unfiltered reality.

Throughout my career, I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with NGOs, including a long-standing partnership with tennis legend Roger Federer and his foundation. These projects hold a special place in my heart—they’re more than just photography; they’re about shining a light on the voices and stories that deserve to be heard. From the struggles of children in developing nations to the resilience of communities, each project has been a humbling experience, reminding me of the power of imagery to drive change.

The thread that runs through all my work—whether it’s for advertising, an NGO project, or a book—is a commitment to authenticity. I want my photos to connect, to tell stories that resonate and linger. That philosophy has led to a series of books, each one a deep dive into different facets of life. From exploring how the UN’s 2030 Goals impact children’s needs in developing countries to a project delving into the complex relationship homeless people have with food, every book has been centered around real stories, told by real people.

Balancing commercial work with NGO projects and long-term endeavors like books has given me a platform to evolve, and it’s something I cherish deeply. Each project feeds into the next, helping me refine my voice and approach, and ensuring that my photography remains authentic and relatable.

Speaking of books, I’m thrilled to share that my latest one has just hit the shelves. Rosé Revolution is now available in bookstores and online. This book is a celebration of the global rise of rosé wine, but it’s about so much more than that—it’s a journey through the stories of the people, places, and passion that have fueled this pink phenomenon around the world.

My hope is that my passion and dedication shine through in every shot I take, whether it’s a commercial campaign, an NGO collaboration, or a long-term project like Rosé Revolution. Photography, for me, has always been about more than just capturing an image—it’s about capturing the essence of a moment, a person, a story. And that’s what I strive to do every day.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most important skills, qualities, or areas of knowledge ultimately come down to passion.
However, passion without perseverance and stamina doesn’t amount to much—and perhaps isn’t true passion at all. For me, pursuing a career as a full-time professional photographer meant that earning a degree in photography was crucial. In college, I not only learned to understand the art of photography but also mastered the craftsmanship that goes into creating compelling imagery. To this day, I still find immense satisfaction in producing both still photographs and videos. For me, there’s a powerful message in storytelling through images, on many different levels.

My advice to anyone entering the industry is simple: keep striving to improve, stay humble, and never lose your curiosity.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

There are several important books by photographers that have inspired me throughout my career.
Though they differ greatly in subject matter, they share a common theme of ultimate dedication and craftsmanship. These photographers created work that was deeply connected to their environment and the messages they sought to convey.
A few that stand out to me are Jan Saudek, Ansel Adams, Sebastião Salgado, and Stephen Shore.

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Image Credits

Image 7: Roger Federer

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