Today’s interview is with Jennifer Bogle!
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Carri.
Congratulations on being featured as the CMPro of the Month, Jennifer! Would you please tell us a little about your photography journey? First memory including a camera, what made you pick up photography as a serious endeavor and how you came to be where you are today?
Thanks! I’m really honored to be interviewed!
I had a camera in high school, and vaguely remember snapping through rolls of film, but I was never a student of photography. And then, predictably, my first son was born and I bought a Canon dSLR – a Rebel Xti. Unfortunately, it took me five years (and two more kids) to learn that a dSLR isn’t just an expensive point and shoot. A friend introduced me to Clickin Moms and I started reading! That was about two and a half years ago.
Since then, I’ve done a lot of reading, a ton of studying, and my groaning Lightroom catalog will attest that I’ve done my share of shooting. I completed a 50 day project about the time I learned to shoot in manual, then rolled into a 365 project, which I completed. I started a second, but abandoned it a few months ago. It had run its course for me.
At the beginning of , I started a small business, taking on family and newborn sessions, and continued to photograph my own family. Since then I’ve been balancing sessions with family life, a job, and helping as a TA in Michelle Turner’s Flash and Continuous Light and Off Camera Flash workshops.
I’ve never felt a huge push to really settle down into a specialty. Though I know that I love my light on the dramatic side, I also love to experiment. My sessions are a mix of lifestyle and portraiture and my family images have the same mix. I’ve just started adding a little macro and landscape to the mix. I love trying out new things and seeing where (and if) they fit into my world. Even if they don’t mesh, I usually learn something in the process.
You work with a combination of natural light and added (on and off camera flash) light. What made you decide to learn flash as an additional photography tool?
Honestly, I bought a flash because it was cheaper than a new camera! My rebel topped out at VERY grainy ISO . I could only shoot a couple feet from the windows on a bright day, especially once I learned the concept of shutter speed and couldn’t shoot at 1/15th of a second any more.
And then I kind of got hooked on having all that portable light. I set my flash down for about two minutes when I upgraded to my Canon 6d and then picked it right back up when the sun went down. I didn’t like my overhead lights any more at ISO 5,000 than I did at .
What photography goals do you have for yourself in ? What would you like to have accomplished with photography 5 years from now?
is kind of a year of transition for me. I’ve built up a small photography business and have really enjoyed that, but the needs on the home front are calling me pretty loudly this year. I’m going to transition away from taking outside sessions and mostly do personal work and stock shooting (I have a portfolio at OFFSET.) I just transitioned my website from a client site to a personal one. Sniff. That was a little sad, but necessary.
I am participating in a blog circle – a monthly “15 on the 15th” post with several other talented CM ladies. And of course, I have the breakout coming in February that I’m REALLY excited about, as well as assisting in Michelle Turner’s workshops. But after the breakout, the year is pretty wide open. This is my year of taking on fewer new projects and working harder at the things that are already in place.
And in five years? I hope I’m learning new things and making images that I like, whether anyone else sees them or not. Photography is ultimately about feeding a creative part of myself that the rest of my life doesn’t fulfill, and about creating memories for my family. If those things are happening, and I’m learning and growing, I’ll be satisfied.
Connections amongst multiple subjects are featured strongly in your work. What is your best tip for creating genuine emotional connection between your subjects?
Most of my clients want THE shot. The “everyone smile and look” shot. And I totally understand that – I want it too! I get the group shot first, I TELL the parents that we have it, and then we can relax. Usually a round of silly faces or everyone tickling each other helps break the ice. And since they were posed and interconnected or touching to start with, everyone is usually in a good position and not looking awkward. Parents know what their kids like and what gets them going. They’re already connected, they just have to relax from the stress of getting ready.
I shoot the in between moments too – when we’re walking somewhere else, setting up a shot, or somebody just does something fun. Or the toddler refuses to line up with the family, so we just go with it. And then I make sure that I give them some of those! I used to second guess, but now I just give some “outtakes” as extras. The posed shot makes the Christmas card, but it’s the other shots that show up as Facebook headers and profile pictures.
For my own family, I try to get people focused on a common interest – reading a book together or playing a game. As I was grabbing images for this article, I actually realized I’ve slipped in this department in my personal work – my project of Dates With My Kids means most of my images of my own family are of individuals. Maybe something to work on this year.
You do a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest in your photography. When you are out location scouting, what are the top 3 things you look for?
For client sessions, I look for light, anything changeable (like tide charts) and check that there are a variety of shooting locations. Even when I’ve used a location several times, I’ll scout it out a day or two before a session to make sure things look okay. Once, I arrived at a favorite spot to find that there was a tent – larger than my house – set up for summer wedding season.
Checking light and location options are both due to the fact that Pacific Northwest weather is highly unpredictable. One day I might need a little open shade to escape the harsh sun for a group shot and another, that spot is just a pit of darkness. I try to have multiple location options for each session. More than one sunset has fizzled out into gray gloom. And many of our “beaches” disappear at high tide.
When I’m out with my family, I just shoot when we’re there. We sometimes try to head to our favorite spots when the light is pretty, but that doesn’t always coincide with kid bedtimes and cooperative hours, so I practice in whatever light we get.
If you have 2 free hours to yourself, what do you do?
Well, if I’m at home, I probably end up cleaning something or picking up a project or sorting pictures. BUT, if I’m out, I’ll head for a comfy chair at a coffee shop and read a book. Or catch up on Facebook.
Any gear purchases planned for ? What and why?
Always! Actually, I just downsized a fair bit of my gear and am trying to decide what’s next. I think a wider lens is on my list since I keep finding my 35 feels a little tight these days. I’d LOVE a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8, but in reality, I’ll probably look at a wider prime.
I’m being drawn to the extremes at the moment – shooting a little more macro and some landscape.
Has anyone in particular impacted your photography? A mentor, supportive non-photography friend, cheerleader client or perhaps one of your children? What would you like to say to that individual?
Just one? I’ve had a ton of supporters and cheerleaders and friends. But if I’m going to pick ONE person to recognize, it’s going to be my husband.
He has been unflagging in his support over the last few years. He’s an artist and very much understands the need to be creative. From supporting my gear choices to taking on extra time with the kids so I could go to sessions. More than once he has met me at a location after work with my gear (and kids) so we could hang out AND get in a quick photo of something in particular.
To him I would say Thank You! And remind him that he’s still my favorite person on the planet.
If you had to choose only one lens out of your collection to keep which one would it be, and why?
My Sigma 35mm f/1.4. No contest. It is sharp, it lets me focus up close, or step back for more environment.
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As the Pro of the Month, you are creating a Breakout session, titled “Light and Lifestyle Photography | Beautiful Light for Every Moment.” Would you please share an overview of what photographers can expect to learn from your Breakout and give us your thoughts on who might best benefit from the materials you present?
I think a lot of folks know me from flash workshops, but I like to play and experiment in all kinds of light; flash is just a small part of my approach. This Breakout session very much stems from my love of light in all its forms. Lots of life happens in the not-so-great light, but still deserves to be photographed.
In the main PDF, I cover a lot of ways that I approach tricky light – full sun, overcast days, sunsets, after dark, wacky lighting indoors – and ways I work around the challenges. I also talk about my general philosophy of light and how I approach new situations, whether it’s the bowling alley or the beach, an indoor session or just a day out with my kids.
In my videos, I’ll talk you through my approach to shooting in several different locations. I’ll discuss my vision for the shoot, share pullback images, evaluate the light, discuss editing decisions, and show the final images. (Just for kicks, I used my four year old for my model, so you’ll see some outtakes as well.)
I’ve also included a bonus PDF dedicated to flash, with ideas on how to incorporate it into your daily shooting with your own family, as well as some fun shooting ideas. This isn’t so much a “how-to” on the basics of flash, though I’ve included a page with links to all kinds of resources. This PDF is about inspiring you and showing you some ways to use flash that maybe you haven’t thought of. And, more importantly, in ways that fit your own style.
I’ve also included interviews with Michelle Turner, Melissa Stottmann, and Sarah Faith Hodges who were kind enough to share the diverse and creative ways they use flash with their own families.
And, of course, there’s a small bonus video with some creative light techniques. I’ll show you how to make an image with flash in the rain similar to the umbrella shots that I’ve shared, and how to have a whole lot of fun with flashlights. (When your kids have fun with photography, they’re far more likely to help you out the next time!)
I believe that this breakout has a little something for people at all stages of the journey. For newer folks, there are a ton of tools to try in different light. For those who are kind of set in the basics and know what they like, I hope there’s a little challenge and encouragement to try some new things and look for light in places maybe they would have written off before.
Thank you, Jennifer, for the fantastic interview! Make sure you head over to Jennifer’s website, facebook, and google+ to view more of her gorgeous work and keep up with her happenings.
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Irish-born, London-based Carrie Baxter has been hotly tipped since her first release just 2 years ago. The genre-fusing singer-songwriter has confidently carved her space in the current soundscape with her singles exciting tastemakers far and wide, including Colors, Notion, Earmilk, BBC Radio and Hot Press who have described her as "one of the most thrilling new forces in Irish music”. Her EP “What Now”, an 8-track project, marks another impressive milestone in this burgeoning artists career as with its release she will embark on her first headline tour of the UK & IRL and further cements Carrie as an artist to keep a firm eye on.
Carrie sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Well I guess firstly there is no denying the presence and history of music, storytelling & rhythm in Ireland, it feels natural to love music, almost inherited love for it. I grew up in a very musical family, there was always decent music on in my house growing up and a lot of my family were/ are musicians and I was encouraged to play from a young age.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Ahh the impossible question, I’m mostly influenced by artists before me, going back to the start this includes, van Morrison, Norah Jones, a tribe called quest, kendrick Lamar, anything from Motown, Judy Garland. Current people I’d love to work with include Joesef, Tom Misch, Cleo Sol, Kendrick, Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Duckwrth, Nai Palm - too many to recall.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
I had very minimal face to face time with the producer of my latest EP it was mostly finished by A LOT of bounces being passed (& lost) back and forth. I lost a lot of time and was under a lot of pressure to get it over the line by the time we were allowed to mix again. I lost my job during Covid so paying for things like mixing & mastering became a huge task. Releasing music was difficult too as my entire catalogue was released during the pandemic, I don’t think it’s healthy to sit looking at the numbers and stats of your releases but it became impossible not to compare myself to how everyone else was doing as I just couldn’t escape it. I found that challenging.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Soul-Hop i guess *shrugs shoulders: if soul had a baby with Hip Hop and then R&B raised that baby! Maybe something like that lol.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Hearing my music on Radio for the first time was a particular highlight for me. Especially local radio that I grew up listening to.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Haha not really, I’m still trying to figure it out. Dive in, and keep swimming.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Yeah really digging the stuff coming out of Ireland at the moment, I’m a big fan of Monjola - check him out! Shiv from Ireland is great too!
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I’m guilty as charged of re-listening to the same stuff over and over again so Maverick Sabre ‘you know how it feels’ technically an EP but so great! Joesef ‘does it make you feel good’, Cleo Sol ‘Rose in the Dark’.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I work my ‘day job’ in fitness so I’m usually training, teaching or watching some sort of series.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Pen & paper, piano, fizzy jellies.
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