Jo Pesch

“I always try to go for a timeless look, something that doesn’t get old and that will be cool even 30 years from now”

Intercru: Where are you from?

Jo: I was born and raised in a small country called Luxembourg.

Where do you live and work now?

I’m currently in Cape Town, working on connecting and building a portfolio. I couldn’t say that I work from here in the sense of what people consider “work,” as client work is still inconsistent. I love to switch my environments to get a taste of everything.

I’m still trying to find my place and for me it’s all about exploring and expanding my mind at the moment.

When did you first start taking pictures? What kind of camera did you have?

I first started taking pictures for real in Australia last year during quarantine. I was making videos for nearly a year and felt like trying something new. I was shooting on the same camera as the one I took videos with, a Canon 6dii.

I took the first videos on my iPhone and I just kept on going from there. Now I pretty much only shoot on film...shoutout to my dad who introduced me to all these old cameras.

How would you describe your style as a photographer?

It’s hard to put a label on it. As my view of the world changes so does my photography.

I always try to go for a timeless look, something that doesn’t get old and that will be cool even 30 years from now, you know just like good music from the ‘70s or ‘80s.

What would your dream photoshoot be like?

People I love and myself in my visualized beach house creating some art for a brand or a person that I really like and believe in.

What really makes you happy?

Good times with good people. I find myself the happiest when I really connect with others.

For me it’s the simple things- a good talk, a good surf, a party, family, friends, moments of flow where I’m really present. And the moment after a big adrenaline rush.

I also love the feeling of “Damn, it’s happening,” when things you wished for are falling into place and you understand why certain things happened.

If a genie gave you 3 wishes, what would they be?

Health and happiness for the people around me and myself.

At the end of the day, everything else is just the cherry on top.

What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?

The positivity of my mom. It taught me that you can always choose how you look at things and react to them and that it’s never the end of the world.

In 3 words how would you describe yourself?

A lucky kid.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Might be Hawaii or some other tropical place. There has to be sun, ocean, and fresh fruits.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To not care about what anyone has to say haha.

I’d say that following your heart and learning to listen to your gut is the most important thing. If we learn how to do that I believe everything falls into place.