As many of you know, I live in Utah but I'm from Alabama. Well, my friend from Alabama works for the
Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, and she interviewed me for their January newsletter! :)
If you'd like to read the interview in its original form, you can go to the above link and sign up to receive the newsletter by e-mail. I've included the biggest screenshot I could get, but I've copied and pasted the interview below. :)
A huge thanks to Ashley who was kind enough to consider me for ALAAE's monthly spotlight!
Aspiring Alabama Photographer Jennie Rae
Smithson Moves Out West
Interview by Ashley Kelley, ALAAE Executive Assistant
What a pleasure it was
to interview Jennie Smithson. I have known Jennie for a few years now and have
been impressed and inspired by her love of capturing moments through the art of
photography. I, too, am a lover of photography and have a special place for the
arts in my heart. It is always inspiring to see local artists spread their
talent to other parts and that is exactly what Jennie is doing. Keep reading to
get to know more about this rising young photographer.
Jennie Smithson is a 21-year-old graduate of Elmore County High School in
Eclectic, Alabama. The only daughter of four children, she was born in Mesa,
Arizona, and then moved with her Air Force family to New Mexico, Texas,
Colorado, Arizona, and finally Alabama where her father retired and her family
currently resides. Jennie attended the 10th - 12th grades at Elmore County High
School and enjoyed her position as drum major of the Maroon Machine Marching
Band her senior year. After graduation she moved to Provo, Utah to attend
Brigham Young University. She is majoring in Family Life with an emphasis in
Family Studies and plans to graduate in 2013. Jennie’s loves include
photography, sweets, her fat cat Pumpkin, and driving to loud music.
1.
How did you get involved with photography and what inspired you to develop your
talent?
As far as I can remember, I have always loved taking pictures. I remember
getting my first digital camera for Christmas in the fourth grade and being so
amazed by it. I still remember that the first digital picture I took was of my
stuffed animal pig, Gooney. I continued to be obsessed with capturing
everything either through digital photography or using my family’s video camera
to make home videos. I’m not sure what exactly I loved about it but I just
always loved taking pictures!
That love stayed with me all through elementary, middle, and high school.
Everyone could count on me to be the friend that brought a camera to any
gathering. I loved taking pictures of scenery and nature, but mostly I loved
capturing candid moments between my friends. I especially loved taking good
pictures of my friends and opening their eyes to how beautiful they were. I
liked making them realize the difference angles and lighting make and helping
them recognize the difference between a poorly-taken picture of them and a good
one. It was like I was teaching them that their beauty was unchanging, and that
they couldn’t rely on a bad picture of them to define how they feel about
themselves.
2. What is the greatest benefit you have received from experimenting with
photography?
It may sound cheesy, but the greatest benefit for me has been the satisfaction
that comes from providing people with beautiful pictures that hold dear
memories for them and that they will cherish forever. I love photography
because it gives me a chance to connect with people and actually have an impact
on their lives. When someone receives their pictures and then tells me how
grateful they are and that they are glad they made the investment to have some
of their memories captured, I’m completely satisfied because I know I’ve had a
positive influence on someone’s life.
3. Do you have a favorite lens or exposure/lighting effect? Why is it your
favorite?
I shoot with a Nikon D300s, and my favorite lens is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4.
Because of its small f-stop, it can create really sharp images and also produce
very nice bokeh (blurry background). I always overexpose my images (manipulate
the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture so that they are a couple of notches above
the center mark on the meter) so that they are brighter than what the meter
says is perfectly exposed. I do this because it makes my images slightly
brighter and smoother all over.
4. Who are some of the artists/photographer which you admire/favor, either
living or deceased, and why?
I have always loved the work of Salt Lake City photographer Jessica Kettle (www.jessicakettle.com).
Her bright, colorful, and razor sharp images have always been an inspiration to
me. I also favor the work of Utah photographer Aria Bethards (www.ariaphotographyonline.com)
for her beautiful and playful images that capture personality so well. I love
these local photographers because they center on portraiture and have a similar
style (bright, colorful, playful) to mine.
5. Lastly, what future aspirations do you have involving photography? What
would you like to accomplish with your work?
My aspirations always include getting better at my craft. I’m always working on
taking better pictures, practicing new techniques, and saving up for new
equipment. My goal is to have more consistent inquiries so that one day I can
make a livable income off of what I do.
6. Where might we find more of your work (Blog, Facebook, etc)?
You can view my portfolio and see regular updates online by checking either my
blog (www.jennieraephotography.blogspot.com)
or my Facebook page (Jennie Rae Photography).
