Girl

The dichotomy that is being a girl in America with all the elements of pressure that it entails. That is what I want to explore in a continuing series of portraits with girls of all ages. 

The messages that we grow up with that inform us on the shoulds of being a girl...be pretty, be chaste, be smart, be passionate, be a career girl, be true, be a mother, be tender, be strong, be yourself. 

Pursuing what it means to receive and translate all those messages into creating who we are from day to day. How to throw them off or embrace them depending on what's truly inside of us. The fear that comes from, so many things, like standing up and saying no. The drive that comes from endless possibilities.

I seek to find and reflect back the ideas and emotions surrounding these conflicting demands from our culture. I want to explore these ideas through portraits of girls in a storytelling way. I haven't figured out my exact path. I tend to work more as I go along. I have ideas I will try and fail at and will share what I can as the process unfolds. I also still, always, wish to creates works of art. Art with emotion is how I would describe it. 

Here are two different directions a recent session with my own daughter took. I have been planning on portraits with this red backdrop and a red dress. Charlie and I went into the studio to play and she directed much of what happened. She is like a wee sage to me. She is clear on what she wants and feels. And yet, I still see in her the mixed feelings from everywhere that influence her too. 

May these images capture your imagination and heart. Each frame is it's own story and dream.

Call me if you want to join this project and create art with me. 207-318-0467

In Dreams - Jen

 Yah for toothless grins!

Stories

We all get stuck. Sometimes just in our own head. I often get stuck there. Not sure which direction to go next. Wondering if I will be here for a long time. It happens to all us all. At different times and for different reasons. But it feels the same. Like slogging through mud with hip waiters on. Like trying to swim in a pool of gel. Sometimes I am ok with it. Sometimes I find it infuriating. 

I started to get all these ideas though. I got them slowly over the last few months. I wrote them down and just kept waiting. I kept taking notes. I signed the lease for my new studio. It was supposed to be really exciting. And it is. Except that it's also terrifying. What if I fail? What if no one comes? I don't book any sessions and people stop paying me to do the work I love? I keep going into my new studio and realizing I am completely frozen. Stuck. 

I am on a cliff. The big edge of something. I know it. Every time I am stuck I come out of it. Often with a renewed sense of excitement for my work and fresh ideas. I know I am close. 

In my travels of collecting ideas I remembered this session with my daughter two summers ago. And that there were images I liked. So I pulled this one out and played with it. Consider this a small introduction to the direction my work will take. I love stories. I always have. I believe an image should leave you wondering what the story is.   

                                                                                                                In dreams. -Jen

Dream Sessions- Saturday March 7th only!!

I am doing a one day event for the Dream Sessions. These sessions are all about hanging out, dancing to music, and playing dress up! Bring your son or daughter in and have them truly enjoy having their portraits taken. I chat with them and get them to relax and play while capturing my vision. I turn these moments into a work of art. 

It's a short amount of session time so they have time to play with me and not get bored! (: 

Every session is as unique as your own child. I have plenty of dresses, hats, and jewelry or you can bring your own!

You will come back to see your images and place your order at a preview session in my studio. I walk you through each step and help you figure out what you want for products for you home. I will even come hang your art for you. You don't have to do anything. I work to make this process easy and fun for you! So call today and I will give you all the details! 

Check out this post for few favorites from sessions I have done. 

Love who you are. Right now. - Jen