Photo: Guilherme A. Jansen
‘It was my idea. It is in front of a Brazilian army base in my hometown. Me and Yaje were riding on my mopar and I saw this giant tank. An monument to the army. Yaje tried to skate it but it was really slippery. So, he did his own way to make this shot possible. I’m glad he did as Yaje and me sold prints of this picture and it bumped up IG.’
Guilherme A. Jansen
May 2025
Where are you from?
My hometown is Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a city 6 hours away from Rio. It’s the capital city of the state of Minas Gerais. I assume it is a nice place to leave and come back only for a visit, because you can’t get big in life as a palm tree with roots down a flower vase.
Assuming you started off skateboarding at what point did you move to photography and why?
As a teenager I was addicted to old cameras, stereos and music. I lived full vintage, and I saw on skateboarding a way to be living off that by watching ‘Palasonic’ videos from Palace. When I discovered this was something that could take me out of my room, make friends and play away with VHS, MiniDV, lenses and cameras, I began paying attention to that. As a teen I was really social and interacting with ideas out of my core and exercising my abilities brought me to skateboarding. Its aesthetic universe of the videos and photos, magazines and own culture that amazes me until today and always will. About tricks, I had many boards but I never landed something greater than an ollie or a cannonball.
Favorite skate photographer?
Wig Worland. Wig’s photography has a melancholic and dark way to showcase his age on skateboarding. The colors on his photos are awesome, always balancing the shadows of a long exposure with blue and yellow. Also, his work with black and white images is intense.
Is there one skate shot you wish you had taken?
Aba’s shot of Ben Liversedge with the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the background. One of the most elegant, classy and powerful skate shots I’ve ever seen. Also, Kien Lieu’s flip by Wig Worland in San Diego, over a hydrant. A stupendous shot.
Proudest moment as a photographer?
When I was living with my sister in Texas, and I was hired to shoot Fundamental Skateboards first ever magazine ad for Downward mag in LA. They paid for my plane ticket and some expenses, and it was the first time ever that I traveled for business purposes. I’m so grateful and happy that I have ever experienced this. Many photographers in the industry only get stickers and small-sized shirts.
Most embarrassing?
When I got my first Canon, me and a friend went to a spot to catch something as easy as a boneless. It took me almost 25 tries and a whole 8GB memory card in two days to figure out how to properly capture it. That was five years ago. I’ve never seen him since.
What is your take on skate shots that have not been landed?
Just like as January 2024 Thrasher’s cover? Just kidding. I’d say, if he landed the trick at the session, it doesn’t matter that much. That’s my two cents.
What is on your wish list?
Bringing back Big Brother and Transworld. Ok. My wishes are getting into North Skatemag that UPS lost twice, work for éS and get a sponsorship from a photo shop.
Last question. If you could interview one person, who would it be why?
I’d have two pints of beer with Flavio Samelo. I met him in Tampa and he only had sodas, so maybe he needs someone to sit with in a bar.