Todays inspiration is nothing short of amazing. Her work is real, honest and natural. She captures everyday life amazingly and tells a story in each image. I love seeing the world through her eye. Please welcome Jen Lucas Photography and enjoy reading a bit about her.
How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted my work to be an extension of my authentic self. There was never any question: I wanted to use my real name.
What brought you to photography?
Initially, it was my paternal grandfather and dad—they had the gear & the eye and it was just part of my childhood. And like many other stories out there, my firstborn brought it back to my life with the need to preserve it all through weary, joyful eyes.
What do you like to shoot?
Connections—people to people, people to objects, people with themselves. And food. Ha, it still fits—aren’t we all connected through food? Daily nourishment, celebrations, cultural experiences, cup of coffee with friends—I so love shooting food.
who is you favorite muse?
My young three boys, for sure, but also, not a who—a what. Light. Days will pass and I don’t shoot if the light does not inspire me. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or filtered or warm or any one thing—I just have to see it.
What is in your camera bag?
Canon 5DMIII with various prime lenses, but the Sigma 35 1.4 almost never leaves my body.
What type of camera bag do you rock?
Ketti
photoshop or Lightroom?
90% LR
Jpeg or Raw?
RAW
In three words only how would you describe your photography style?
Natural, honest, intimate
Top 2 favorite photographers and why?
Oh Jiminy. Only two? Molly Flanagan. Not only is she a light magician, she creates the heart of the image where you least expect it. Zalmy Berkowitz. He is a writer & storyteller & all out master. I can get lost on his site—in his words, in his images—for hours.
Favorite season to shoot and why?
Hmmmm…. Truly all are fantastic, but probably that keyhole opening between summer & fall in late September to early October. Not only for all the saturated colors, but also because we’ve all hit our school & weekend sport stride, everyone is out hiking & canoeing and taking in deep, happy breaths before we hit the great wall of snow & ice here in Wisconsin.
what is your non photography related down fall? (example: chocolate, soda..)
Coffee.
What is your most embarrassing moment at a shoot to date?
Well. See.[Shuffling feet.] The first year I was in business I went to Chicago for a 4-day, 7 family shooting extravaganza (disaster). Chicago suburbs are all spread out and nightmare traffic to boot. I used my best friend’s house as base camp, but (rightfully so) her 18-month old was in to *all* my new, fun stuff. I had to hide my charging battery, with that hypnotic flashing orange light, behind the couch so wouldn’t be lured to play with it. You see where this is going, yes? After an hour drive, I got to the next client’s home. No battery. No back up. We had secured a beautiful garden location. We caravanned thirty minutes east and my best friend drove thirty minutes west to meet in the middle at a completely random park with forty minutes left of light. It couldn’t have happened with a kinder family though—they were troopers and super gracious about my huge mistake. The new location ended up being gorgeous, but still… mortifying.
What is your one best piece of advice to give someone just starting out?
In photography? Try it all. Every style, every genre. All of it. Shoot everyday to see what you really love. In business? Wait. When you’re positive you want to go into business, wait one more year. And in that year read everything you can on marketing & business.
If you weren't photographer what would you be, any dream careers?
I was a first grade teacher for a long time, and I would go back to that in a heartbeat.
What is you goal for photography for the next 3 years?
I want to still be impassioned with the work. It’s easy to get disillusioned by your values and potential client values not aligning, and therefore creating paralyzing doubt. I’d like to primarily focus on family documentary work.
If you want to continue to follow her beautiful work please go check out her Facebook page here Jen Lucas Photography and show her some love. Until next time...XOXO
