By Tim Cotroneo
Jacob Sjoman’s career as a golf photographer has taken him to 58 countries around the globe. From the Arctic Circle to Australia and all points in between, Sjoman’s Canon 5D Mark II has captured images at many of the best golf courses in the world.
Sjoman sees photography as an everlasting process of the best light, shrugging off setbacks, and stretching for amazing success. The Swedish native strives toward discovering the best in golf landscape magic moments.
Travel Dreams asked Sjoman to share his story and his stunning photography. Let’s take a look at the golf world as Jacob Sjoman sees it.
Photograph of Old Head Golf Course in County Cork, Ireland. “To shoot Old Head as a selected photographer is an important milestone in my career. I think it is one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. You have to visit this one!”
Questions and Answers with Jacob Sjoman
Q: Where are you based?
JS: My home and office is located in Stockholm, Sweden.
Q: How did you get started in golf photography?
JS: I started my photography journey by borrowing my father’s old digital camera (1,3 MEGAPIXEL!) A short while after this I got accepted into a photography school that I applied for here in Sweden.
Q: What is your favorite or “go to” camera?
JS: I mainly shoot with Canon-cameras for both video and stills. It’s convenient to use the same system since I have invested heavily in so many lenses. If I would pick one camera to bring on a project I would probably go for the Canon 5D Mark II since it’s versatile camera and can switch between still photography and recording videos with the help of using an ND-filter. If I could add one more it would be the Canon C80 that’s more suitable for recording videos specifically.
Q: How do you educate yourself to take better photos?
JS: I always try to challenge myself to learn something new every day. I also try to question myself what I can do better. One way to do this is to continuously search for inspiration and learn from other photographers. Never believe that things can’t be done better, because it can ALWAYS be better, no matter what.
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course in Te Awanga, New Zealand. “Perhaps one of the most famous photo sessions when you consider how many people my photographs reached. These shots have been published in several magazines and appeared on front covers.”
Q: What is one thing you wished you knew when you first started taking photographs?
JS: When I started taking photos I wish I knew better how to use the tools and equipment to my advantage. To know what and how to highlight it seamlessly. When looking back at my old photos I almost feel it is like I’m watching a bad nightmare. But it was a learning process.
Q: What is your photographic niche and what is it about this niche that appeals, inspires, or satisfies you?
JS: I don’t really look at myself as a niche photographer even though I’m probably most known for being a specialized golf course photographer.
Q: Talk about the preparation that goes into your photography?
JS: There is a lot of preparation that goes into each trip I do. First I try to get as much information out as possible from the client and other important people connected to the specific area. This is mainly to learn more about the golf course or the specific subject that I’m going to shoot. I also want to learn things about the client and come up with ideas to improve the project. You try to plan as much as possible but also leave room for some creativity. The last thing is to avoid going into a project feeling unprepared. I usually have a plan B, C and even D in some cases. Things can go wrong and bad weather conditions can show up unexpected at any time.
Q: What is special or unique about shooting golf photography.
JS: I love that special feeling being the first person arriving to a golf course. This is usually a long while before the sun rises. And then to hear all the sounds and take it all in. After a while you finally see the sun rise over the horizon and slowly reveal the landscape of the golf course. That is pure magic for me. It feels pure every time and makes me feel connected with the nature.
Q: What was the hardest part of including drone or aerial photography into your skill set?
JS: It is probably to know when you should stop using the drone and instead go for shots and views from the ground. Sometimes I think we overvalue drone photos, both clients and photographers. We should look at the image and the composition, it isn’t always the best thing to go higher and further out, sometimes you can leave the drone grounded even if it is cool to bring it high up in the air and enjoy the views.
Ullna Golf Club in Akersberg, Sweden: “I love the location of this golf course right next to Ullna Lake. This is one of the top golf courses in Sweden.”
Q: What do you try to say in your photographs?
JS: I definitely try to stay away from telling people how to feel when looking at my photographs. We all look at things differently and come from different backgrounds and places. That’s ok. I believe my images say many things but hopefully never exactly the same.
Q: Is there an under the radar course that really speaks to you as a photographer?
JS: The current “under the radar”-course to me as both a photographer and a passionate golfer is The Cliffs Kangaroo Island in Australia. That location, coastline and course looks so amazingly good. There is nothing like it.
Q: What has been your most unusual assignment?
JS: My most unusual assignment is unfortunately a project on an private island where I needed to sign an NDA to never talk or write about it. The second most unusual assignment was probably shooting Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Patrick Reed for Hublot Watches in the Bahamas where Patrick Reed almost hit my head with a drive. I’m a big fan of shooting people and doing creative session with flashlight.
Lofoten Links Golf Course, Gimsoysand, Norway: “I will never forget driving almost six hours and arriving in the middle of the night to Lofoten Links. I was facing some of the strongest, and most active, Northern Lights I’ve ever seen. I mounted several cameras on tripods and I didn’t sleep that night at all. Instead I was experiencing an amazing light show at Lofoten Links. I’m very grateful for this evening.”
Q: Is there one assignment where everything came together and you thought, “I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now.”
JS: I visited Lofoten Golf Links back in 2016. I went on a crazy night drive from northern part of Sweden all the way to Lofoten and experiencedboth on the way and while reaching Lofoten Links some incredibly strong northern lights. This was the first time in my life I saw really powerful and strong northern lights, before it had been quite weak, this night it was something totally different. I remember all my 3 cameras and 3 tripods were out that night and I continued shooting photos and videos up until 11am in the morning and got no sleep whatsoever. And I ended up capturing that one iconic photo from hole 2 that’s been showcased all over the world and been featured on many front covers.
Q: Anything I haven’t asked that you’d like readers to know about you or your photography?
JS: I’d like to give a final word of advice for any potential photographers out there reading this. In photography, I think it is highly important to have your trusted audience give you any critique, and that they are allowed to say their honest opinion. Whether it is good or bad, it will improve your work, and you’ll learn you new things.
For more of Jacob Sjoman’s golf photography go to:
https://jacobsjoman.myportfolio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sjomanart/
