Jamie Panico Creative

08/03/2026

Some honors you carry with both hands. This is one of them.

I’m returning to Burning Man this year as the Fire Conclave’s Guest Documentarian — and to the Documentarians and others who saw the value in my work and chose me again, thank you. That trust is the fuel behind every frame.

I treat every shoot as a chance to push past where I was. This year that meant upgraded gear and last year’s experience reframed as lessons learned. Recently, the crew hosted a Fire Photography Forum where shooters of every level — first-timers to seasoned pros — traded the tricks that make fire come alive on camera. Even after years behind the lens, I left with new things to try.

So I reached out to some fire friends to put it to the test. These frames are the result.

I love where they landed — though I’ll be honest, I blew out a few flames chasing the shot. That’s the game. The goal is every wisp of fire in full detail while the subject stays lit, no flash. There’s no secret formula. Every photographer mixes their own recipe, and every one makes magic in its own way.

That pursuit is what pulls me to fire. It’s exactly what I’m bringing to the Playa.

05/09/2026

Grateful for every vote and share so far — but there are still a few days left in this round, and you get one free vote per day. If you can spare a moment, it truly means a lot. 🙏🔥

For those who don’t know me or my work: these shots were taken at a Spin Jam hosted by and his incredible team at — fire performers who not only perform, but teach. They hold classes for anyone curious about getting into fire spinning or wanting to sharpen their skills.

I bring this up because the competition is called the People’s Artist. And my photography is about exactly that — the people. The ones who sacrifice time and money to learn, gear up, and share something they love with the world. If I win, it’s not my achievement alone. It belongs to every performer who ever stepped into the light and let me capture their art.

There are so many talented artists in this competition, and reading their stories has honestly humbled me. I’m not here to come off confident — but I will say this: my work has always been of the artist, for the people. Whether I win or not, I feel like I’ve already earned that title.

…okay, maybe the Fire People’s Artist. 😄 The vote will decide the rest.

I appreciate you. 🖤

🔗 Vote link below — one free vote per day!

https://peoplesartist.org/2026/jamie-panico

🔥🔥

05/05/2026

I'll be honest — I kept seeing The People's Artist ads and scrolled past them every time. "Not for me," I thought. But here I am.

This isn't about the money or the spotlight. It's about the people I photograph.

Most of my work is with fire and flow artists, aerial performers — people who have poured years into their craft, pushed their bodies to the limit, and dedicated themselves to an art form that doesn't always pay what it's worth. They show up night after night, rehearse endlessly, and give everything to the performance. And most of the world walks right past them.

I entered this competition because I thought: what if sharing my fire photography here could put a lens on that world for people who've never seen it? What if a vote for me is actually a vote for them?

"Because fire doesn't perform for the camera — it performs for the soul. I just show up with a lens to capture the beauty of both."

If you've ever felt something watching a performer move through flames or fly through the air, you already understand why this matters. Help me help them.

Voting is free (once a day) and ends May 14th at 7PM PDT. Cast your vote and share the link if you're willing — every single one counts.

Much appreciated. Genuinely.

Because Fire Doesn't Perform For The Camera, It Performs For The Soul. I Just Show Up With A Lens To Capture The Beauty Of Both.

04/30/2026

Leave it to the girl with a heart of fire to create a heart of fire. 🔥❤️

I’m always in awe of talents. Some might call this luck — but when you perform at this level, even at a spin jam, there’s no mistaking it. This is pure skill. Pure artistry. Pure her.

04/23/2026

Last night, I watched my stepdaughter take the stage for the first time as a professional performer. 🌿✨

Sofia was part of the youth choir for Dear Everything: A Musical Uprising for the Earth — a one-night-only, Earth Day performance at the iconic Howard Gilman Opera House, narrated by none other than herself.

The show, created by Tony Award-winning playwright V (formerly Eve Ensler) and produced by , follows young people who find the power to fight for their forest — and their future. It was impossible not to feel every word. These kids on that stage aren’t just performing. They are the story.

Watching Sofia up there — lights blazing, voice strong, standing alongside something this powerful — I have no words. Just this full, proud, overwhelmed heart. 💚

This one was for the Earth. And it was everything.

Thank you to all who were involved to make this happen.

🌍

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04/13/2026

I have finally done it! This is long overdue; my photos from Burning Man are up on my site, and my blog post is as well. Life's adventures kept me from writing this for a very long time, but it was worth getting it right. It's also a bit of a long read, but it is my story of an experience that I will never forget.

Massive love and gratitude to for trusting me as their documentarian, to for welcoming me into your camp, and to every stranger who became temporary family out there.

Link below to read the full story and see the photos. Come for the fire, stay for the feelings. 🌅

https://www.jamiepanico.com/post/the-40-year-old-burn-gin
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12/28/2025

Always the photographer, never the photograph 📸
So this one hit a little different.

I spend most of my time behind the lens, capturing moments, faces, energy—but rarely am I the one being seen. Being included as one of the 1000 Faces of Burning Man 2025 by was an unexpected and meaningful honor. Thank you for capturing me as part of your incredible journey and for documenting the soul of the playa through the people who make it what it is.

If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and check out his work—his ability to capture raw humanity, expression, and presence is something special.

Grateful to be a small part of a much bigger story. 🖤🔥

12/26/2025

🎅📦 The FedEx guy… I mean Santa 😏 was a day late, but totally worth the wait.

After years of creating with my trusty , I’ve officially leveled up to the — and I’m beyond excited to push my photography to new heights. 🚀📸

Don’t worry, the A7III isn’t going anywhere — it’ll stay in the bag as my reliable secondary shooter. But new gear means new possibilities, sharper storytelling, and elevated quality across the board.

Time to get creative. Let’s make some magic. ✨

12/16/2025

Tis the season for and expanding the collection my and I are building. Now we’ve added lights to the to bring more ambiance to the set. I couldn’t help myself in making this video.