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
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.
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).
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).
No comments:
Post a Comment