James-Kung — Roger Gallegos

I met James for the first time back in 2020 at a party, hosted by DJ Sober and Blake Ward. While our circles had intersected before, it wasn't until that night that our paths finally crossed, since then we have bumped into each other at some of our favorite spots across Dallas. This morning, I had the opportunity to hang out with James, fueled by our shared passions for Popeyes magazine, the allure of wayward coffee, and the art of photography. With James as my guide, we ventured through some of his neighborhood favorites, capturing the essence of his distinctive personality.

Hi James, would you mind introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about what you do?

JK: Of course! I’m James, a photographer/corporate good boy trying to make things I want to see in the world one spreadsheet and one shot at a time. As for how we met, I remember vividly! It was the Reunion tower party at the end of 2020, I was partying and you were shooting. We started shooting parties during that time and we start running into each other a lot more often after that. It’s either me shooting and you were vibing, or you were shooting and I was gulping down tequila shots haha.

Can you tell us about your background and how it has influenced your work as a photographer and creator?

JK: It will forever be a privilege for me to say my non-linear heritage allows me to view things from a very different perspective, which bleeds into pretty much everything that I do here. My selection of media outlets cultivated from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the United States shaped the way I shoot and my view on life ultimately shaped my composition and the choice of timing on when to press the shutter.

Coming to the United States at the silly little age of 23 gave me a lot of time to process what I wish to create in the world and it reshaped my idea of fun, it no longer is flashy sneakers or mega high contrast street snaps anymore; in fact, I want to insert myself into places that interest me and immerse those who stumble upon my work from my POV.

The sense of outside looking in that we always feel is such an amazing concept to me, which is what I tried to convey through all of my work and telling that story from someone who was and still is that person peeking through the curtains.

What are some key elements you focus on when capturing fashion, interior, and portrait photography?

JK: When I’m capturing fashion and interior, as I mentioned earlier, I enjoy the sense of exclusivity/fly-on-the-wall vision from the works that inspire me. You are there, but you’re also not there, does that make any sense? I’m not sure. I want people that saw my work can interpret how that moment might go down on their own while wishing they could be there to the point it almost felt like a lucid dream.

As for portraits, I am too realistic to come up with any narrative that accompanies any project (It’s my shortcoming and I’m trying to get better at it), so it really just comes down to two words: FUN and PRETTY.

When did you first become interested in fashion, and what drew you to this particular aesthetic?

JK: It is a little embarrassing to admit but I think it started out during the Tumblr aesthetic era when those moody quotes and images became a thing, god all those mood board accounts I used to follow definitely played a huge part. Later comes social media and all the brands start to publish their lookbook online, and boy I was truly mesmerized by all the creative work that was behind it and how every season they still managed to up their game and gave us new and exciting visuals!

**James wears Top: Wayward T-shirt, Bottom: Tory Van Thompson two-tone deconstructed dickies 874, Shoes: Doc Martin, Tote: Bistro boys mag merch**

Are there any specific individuals who have influenced your sense of style? If so, who are they and why?

JK: I like Jeremy Kirkland a lot, I really admire him and wish I could be as comfy, confident, unserious and effortlessly dashing as him. I don’t think he commits to any specific genre too hard yet things just make sense on him. I AM very curious to see his fits in his Rick Owen era though haha.

**Top: Uniqlo, Tank top : Uniqlo, Pin: Abei Liu Taiwan, Neckerchief: Madewell, Bottom: Braindead, Shoes: Ralph Lauren loafer, Sunnies : Braindead**

Photography is another passion of yours. How does it intersect with your interest in fashion, and how do you incorporate it into your creative process?

JK: I think with an interest in fashion first then photography second, my taste and view on it provided me with the mindset of “There isn’t only one way to make things work” and “Look good comes in many many forms”. I won’t get stuck on liking only one style, fashion or photography, and the more I pursue both of them the more it opens doors to interesting moments in life for me. when it comes to shooting obviously stylist is such an important aspect but knowing the eras or the vibe of the clothing helps streamline how I want the shots to look.

Do you have any favorite photographers whose work you find particularly inspiring? How have they influenced your own photographic style?
JK: I really like your work Roger, and the way you conduct your personal project throughout the years is really inspiring for me. Not to totally gas you up but after assisting you and following your work I like how you really put your love of fashion into your creative process and always manage to create amazing images where the clothe and the subject merge into a 1+1>2 result.

Juston Case is also someone I admire, as a director he never comes out with repeating narratives and settings. They always come out amazing and one crazier than the other.

Zhang Jiacheng and Zhong Lin are two of my favorite photographers that represent the pinnacle of how fashion and good production can come together and slap you right in the frontal lobe. It’s quite yet loud in colors and setting, yet so so quiet as a still image.

All of their work influenced me to be a more mature photographer, shoot with intention, and don’t make something that I don’t want to associate my name with.

Could you tell us more about your current project, "My Palace in Dallas"? What inspired you to start this visual blog series?
JK: My love for interesting interiors started when I stumbled upon Popeye’s city boy living issue, safe to say I was genuinely surprised how interior photograph doesn’t have to still that look dead, staged, and unlived-in. (In a sense that there’s more than one way to make interior documenting work). Down the rabbit hole I go, I can say I’m super inspired by the Nowness house tour series, Faculty Department by Justin Chung, an interview can go beyond just a house tour, and a house tour doesn’t have to be just telling me what you own. The longer I’ve been in the DFW creative scene during the pandemic the more I was intrigued by how artists from different industries and genres can incorporate their creative identity into what they call home.

I want to know, learn and pry open their creative minds and peel off the established labels of these noteworthy individuals, let my photography be a medium to tell their story when they’re at their most comfortable moment.

What do you hope to achieve with "My Palace in Dallas" in terms of showcasing individuals and their homes?

JK:5 years, I give myself 5 years. I am speaking this into existence so hopefully, the world can somehow hold me accountable for this timeline *laughs. It will be a jam-packed five years of me venturing through every interesting home scattered around Dallas and the States, five years filled with me conjuring up the courage to reach out to those who don’t even know who I am and have genuine conversations with them. I will go out of my way to ensure every piece is something I can say was good with a puffed-up chest and never let it become a fluff piece for the sake of clout or additional benefit it may bring.

Ultimately I want to make it into a coffee table book, fully edited cause let’s face it English isn’t my first language and despite the fact that I’m too hot to be smart we need it to be correct in all aspects. Maybe I’ll throw a launch party and a photo exhibition, as this is my love letter to Dallas as a transplant that slowly and surely am calling Dallas home.

Top: Human Made, Bottom: Cropped Dickies from Korea, Shoes: Carhartt converse chuck70

Dallas is known for its diverse and vibrant culture. How has the city itself influenced your artistic pursuits and your understanding of taste?

JK: Dallas has an eye-opening feature that you really need to be here long enough for the city to show you bit by bit. All these people doing different things scattered all over this giant pie have their own trajectory in life. Just when you think you understand everything there will always be something or someone that comes along and broaden your horizon.

Further emphasizing what I mentioned, this city constantly reminds me how there is no one true way to express, to create through art and style.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers and artists who are looking to make a name for themselves in the industry?

JK: Being creative is your talent and in terms your obligation to create. The world wants what you have to put out even if they don’t realize it yet, work with this mindset and keep on making things you wish to see in the world.

Honestly, you will never truly be reading to dive into things you want to do so just go for it, if it goes to shit we just won’t tell anybody it even happened *laughs.

Sadly we still live under an extrovert-rewarding society construct so I understand how much it sucks but put yourself out there, the beauty of community is you WILL land in a circle or small group of people where it’s safe and fun and y’all can create together. Don’t be afraid when facing anything; cold calling, reaching out to collab, or even just expressing your admiration, the worst thing they can tell you is no.

Take a deep breath and no, coffee is not a source of hydration.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations as a photographer, content creator, and writer?

JK: Now that I have a car again and don’t need to ask my subjects to pick me up/drop me off, I am getting the ball rolling for my project again. After a 1-year hiatus, I aspire to be brave, intentional with a carefree, fun-chasing attitude.