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

Hi Jim, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I learned at The Kansas City Art Institute if you want to be an artist, you have to practice it every day. It’s about being a professional and taking what you do seriously. With that said, when I wasn’t being hired for work for art directors and news agencies, I would go out on the streets and find something relevant and fetch it back to an editor or director. If my work wasn’t speaking for itself, it was certainly my effort.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I shoot a lot of people. With that said, I’ve always been told I’m the “artsy guy?” I did graduate from the Kansas City Art Institute but I think people would still say that if I went to military school. I look at everything from every angle, as every image maker should. But I also think about a subject or a moment from a week from now. What would it do or look like if I put this person out of their element and put them next to it?

For example, if I shoot a leading ballerina for a story, I would be more interested in shooting a moment or making a portrait of her at the end of a rehearsal when she’s completely spent. It’s behind the scenes in a figurative way. With me, don’t shoot the obvious, and don’t be literal.

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?
The hotel lobby’s in Miami Beach are my favorite. Crowded people watching from all-over the world including the luxury cars that pull in and out while drinking a mojito. It’s all day for me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Beginning with my art instructor Joyce Stasi at Dowling High Schoo in Des Moines, Iowa to photo editors Steve Gonzales at The Kansas City Star, Harold Smith at Knight Ridder in Washington DC. They were pushing, guiding and serious about me about getting better in photography.

Website: jimbarcusphoto.com

Instagram: @jimbarcus

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.