Using the bad things that happen to us in life to create positive reactions. I have been pondering this post for some time, but today I had an epiphany – at the Epiphany Mass, no less! See, today the Gospel recounted the visitation of the Christ child by the Magi, astrologers from an Eastern land. … More Finding a Light in the Darkness
The yearly tradition of setting oneself up for disappointment. Right after Christmas each year, rest assured that your social media feeds will be inundated with “New Year, New You” cliches. Lose weight, look better, blah, blah blah. You know the familiar adages and memes. And who wouldn’t want a “fresh start”? I could make a … More Goals & Resolutions
Thirty years ago tomorrow, it began. I received a red Vivitar PS:135 camera from Santa. I wanted a camera because my uncles took photos, and I wanted to be cool like them. (I can’t find a photo of the PS:135 that’s fair use, so if you want to see what that camera looked like, you’ll … More The Beginning
Every day, little moments occur in our lives that are precious and fleeting. And over the next week or so, we’ll experience a lot more with family and friends. To me, it’s really important to document these moments because one day, photos and stories will be all we have. Of course, I *am* a photographer, … More Document the [Extra]ordinary
I don’t have a ton of memories of my paternal grandfather. He died when I was three, so most of what I know of him comes from my parents’ stories. He was an upholsterer, and he had his own shop in our small town’s center. My Dad would take me there to visit. I still … More Spicy Cinnamon Candies
“Vemödalen n. the frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist—the same sunset, the same waterfall, the same curve of a hip, the same closeup of an eye—which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled … More Vemodalen
(I’m writing this blog because yesterday was a DAZE DAY.) Which one is really happening? I’ve always been a fairly open book about my struggles with mental health issues. Depression and anxiety hang out at the top of my diagnosis list, and they switch places as the dominant diagnosis in a terrible cycle. It’s this … More Mental Health Days v. Mental Health Daze
In the past year I have really reflected on my legacy and stretched my creative muscles to produce beautiful and meaningful images. My portfolio has expanded immensely, and I am more fulfilled as an artist. Portrait sessions are still fun to shoot, yeah, but these feed my soul. Everything does come back to words, though. … More Tapestry
I recently came across several short stories I wrote in high school and college. I’d forgotten about most of them. My fiction writing professor at UT Austin told me the last time I saw him that I should not stop writing because as he said, “you’ve got something. That thing that can’t be named.” I … More Write On, Right On
(Or just my new blog. I tend to make mountains out of molehills, and this blog is definitely a molehill at the moment.) Hi, my name is Jen, and I’m an artist. I don’t define myself solely as a photographer much anymore, though that is my central medium. I also make mixed media pieces on … More Welcome to Thunderdome
Somebody's Daydream 