Man turns passion for sneakers into a picture-perfect career
An Ottawa man living in Nova Scotia has taken his passion for sneakers and turned it into a full-time career.
Jesse Ingalls is a sneaker photographer in Glen Haven, N.S., who works with many well-known brands, including Reebok, Nike and Puma.
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
Ingalls says he realized his love for sneakers in the 90s, while watching a Chicago Bulls basketball game.
"Just becoming enamored with, one, basketball. I played basketball as a kid and loved sports but also, shoes," said Ingalls. "Just obsessed, obsessed with shoes."
Ingalls went to college to study graphic design and art direction and says his "obsession" with sneakers never strayed.
"A lot of the ideas I had for my portfolio, I wasn't able to actually fully create them because the images that I wanted didn't exist," he said.
That's when Ingalls started taking pictures of shoes.
Jesse Ingalls is a sneaker photographer in Glen Haven, N.S. – working with many well-known brands, including Reebok, Nike and Puma. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
"I used them in some of my executions and then I was like, 'I just enjoy doing this,'" said Ingalls.
At first, Ingalls was mainly taking pictures for himself and to help grow his skills, but his work quickly caught the attention of a much broader audience.
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
"At that exact same time, Reebok was trying to really switch up what they were doing and I went from doing those pictures just for myself and then Reebok reaching out saying, 'You want to take some pictures for us,' and I said, 'Are you serious? Are you joking me, guy,'" explained Ingalls. "And they were dead serious."
Ingalls says that's when his career as a sneaker photographer took a run for it – with some of his work even appearing on Good Morning America.
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
(Photo courtesy: Instagram/ jro._)
Ingalls' latest project is called Project Samqwan -- Samqwan meaning water in Mi’kmaw.
The idea is to mix traditional Indigenous art with a modern medium, the Nike Air Force 1.
The sneaker will become a canvas for the colourful beadwork that explores the history and experiences of many Indigenous people.
"We're going to present five different shoes that people have never seen and they're going to be auctioned off," said Ingalls.
Ingalls says all of the proceeds from the auction will go towards clean water drinking initiatives in Indigenous communities.
"I am so happy that I've been able to take this passion that I have for sneakers and use the skills that I have acquired and help in any way, shape or form with something that I truly think is important," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'