jenna for jethro

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Cooee! Are there any followers still out there? It's been over a year and a half since I've updated this blog and I've been up to all sorts of things but somehow when I think about this blog, it always feels like home.

Since last time we spoke, I have quit my 9-5 job, moved to Melbourne and am flying solo. I've been illustrating things over at www.musingsfromthemoon.bigcartel.com and writing poetry on instagram @musingsfromthemoon and have also started a wedding photography business with my best friend here www.smittenweddingphotography.com.au

But I miss the magic and mystery of spontaneous story-telling through photography and the universe is still nudging me to pair my writing with my photography. So I've decided to make some time for this blog again to share my poetry with you alongside some new photos and perhaps some experimental films that I have conjuring up in my imagination. And if you have a fascination for sun-kissed skies and oceans like me, then I think you'll like what's to come.

So here's a little taste from me to you. If you're still following along somewhere out there in the world I'd love to hear a little hello from you. All my love.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:10:00 +0000

EXCITING UPDATE!!

Just a quick update to tell you I've entered the SOYA Awards Competition and would absolutely love all of the support I can get. They featured one of my photos as the Cover Image today WOOHOO which made me so happy. All you have to do it go to my entry page read the description as it's very important to me :) and if you feel its worthy hit the 'LIKE' button on the main image. If I'm lucky enough to win, I will have the opportunity to be mentored by the incredible Polly Borland and attend Les Rencontres D'Arles in France which would be a mind blowing learning experience! I want to grow as an artist and find my own voice so badly, this would be a dream come true.

p.s. I'd be able to extend my stay and capture so many more stories to tell - I only have a select few images left from my overseas trip as the memory cards were lost in transit on the way home.. I am still so shattered but hopefully the opportunity to go and relive those moments was mean to be.

Fingers, toes, eyes, ears crossed while holding my breath...

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:29:00 +0000

Meet Molly P.

She is learning to play the flute and beats grown ups at scrabble. She looooves watching Spics & Specs and her idea of fun is being carried around the house in a big blanket, then being thrown into bed "again" and "again" and "again". She knows how to use an iphone better than me. She also knows how to put a pram together better than me. She loves making musical instruments out of absolutely anything, decorating cookies, reading the same book over and over, making necklaces out of streamers and is a cutie pie inside and out.

I think back to when I was little and miss how intuitive I was. I always knew what I did and didn't like and fell into my creative bubble at every spare second. I'd listen to Tina Arena on my discman, write songs about love (too much Celine Dion in the house), see how many plastic butterfly clips I could fit in my hair at one time, paint/draw on every blank surface, decorate my room with an overload plastic gerbras, make up dance routines which mostly involved two hands on the heart and shimmy down low over and over...

I'm 25 this year and it freaks me out a little bit. When is it too old to enjoy being childish?

I still love painting, dressing up in funny clothes, listening to music, re-arranging my room, making up dance routines and think I will continue to do so for as long as I like (However I promise to ditch the signature dance move.. sigh... might try a body roll as I bite my index finger?)

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:57:00 +0000

♥ Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent - Eleanor Roosevelt ♥

Hello! I'm not sure if anyone still reads this but it's so nice to be back ...

For a while I struggled to find a purpose to my photography. I felt like I always wanted more and was never happy with my work and worried if it pleased other people. But I’ve come to realise that not being completely content with my artwork is okay and that there is beauty in imperfection. I can also see that it gives me the curiosity and drive to look further and experiment so that I can become a better artist every day.

I had missed photography so much. For me is about escaping reality and getting lost in imagination where there are no limitations and I felt so out of balance without it. I love being able to capture the beauty of life in infinite ways and telling stories, both real and make-believe and I'm excited to be back in my little bubble again to capture it all.

I took this photo of a beautiful girl at the 2011 Falls Festival. I love creating mystery with my photos and thinking about my subjects, what life they might lead and what is going through their mind at the time. This girl still has me thinking...

I have a lot more to say, plenty of photos and collaborative work to share and would love for you to follow me on the journey of Jenna for Jethro.

Happy days...

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:14:00 +0000

what i'm looking forward to about spring:

♥ leaving my embarrassing inverting umbrella at home
♥ spring cleaning (you wish mum!)
♥ the smell of freshly mown grass
♥ strawberries and mangos
♥ being able to wear sunnies at brunch after a big night without looking like a dick
♥ flowers blooming outside my window to cover the blank fence
♥ letting my feet see the sun
♥ good excuse to buy new clothes
♥ eating dinner outside while it's still light
♥ riding my bike
♥ people smiling on the way to work
♥ wearing dresses

(photos taken by me. 1.my sis Simmie 2.spring goodness)

What's your favourite thing about spring?

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:24:00 +0000

I took this photo in a train between the beautiful towns along the cinque terre in Italy. The man must have been a local because he stood in the doorway facing the train tracks so eager to get off while the opposite side of the train looked out onto the incredible house filled cliffside and ocean. It's funny how we things seem to lose their beauty when we become accustomed to our surroundings.

I've also just joined pinterest, twitter and am on facebook come follow :)

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:09:00 +0000

I have a new website up that my little bro put together for me www.jennaforjethro.com - if anyone needs a website he's a clever thing so just contact me at contact@jennaforjethro.com He manages to talk on the phone, update his facebook and play playstation all at the same time lets say he knows his IT ha!

These are a few snaps from my Europe trip. I just love people watching. It really intrigues me the way people go about their day and how there are so many diverse personalities in the world. They were all in their own little world with their rambling minds and had no idea I was watching them. It really fascinates me how everyone is constantly with their own thoughts and no one else can hear them. I always wonder who is really being themselves and who is changing who they are to fit into what society says is acceptable. I bet if everyone had to speak exactly what their mind was saying for one day we'd see most people in a completely different light. Some people might disappoint us and others might completely blow us away.

I'll stop rambling in a second but it reminds me how facebook can be really judgemental and based on physical appearance. After a quick skim of your photos and status updates, someone can completely make up their mind as to what kind of person you are without even meeting you face to face. I don't really like that so I make an effort to leave judgement until I honestly know my facebook pals. Join the club :)

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:40:00 +0000

Here is a peak at a little film I made this weekend. I have some personal projects that I have been planning to work on for women's body image for ages now and it's finally all coming together. I'm very excited! I'd love any feedback if anyone is still following this blog.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:36:00 +0000

One of my favourite views waiting at the train station - Spittal, Austria

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:45:00 +0000

After having the most amazing time overseas it feels like I never even left. But then I sit back with my new food crush 'sicilian canolli' and look through more than 10,000 photos and can't help but smile about how lucky I have been. Amsterdam stole my heart with it's beautiful canals & art filled streets and Italy filled my mouth with ridiculously good food. There's too many stories to tell (mostly food related) so I promise to take it slow. For now here's a glimpse of my little European adventure.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:36:00 +0000

Hello and goodbye!

Tomorrow I leave for my adventure of a lifetime. First stop is Dubai and then winging it through Europe for 4 months. I can't wait to experience the beautiful European culture, I think I will fall in love. If anyone has any tips of places I must see or visit, I'd love to hear from you. For now, I thought I'd leave you with a few photos from a wedding I photographed on the weekend. I'm hoping to update my blog as I travel so I can share the special moments with you all.

Until I'm sipping espresso in sweet Italy,

Jenna

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:09:00 +0000

Here is a still that I shot from another film last week. I really been enjoying capturing shots without the subject knowing and then taking the image out of context and making up my own story behind it. I was thinking the other day about how we subconsciously make up little stories every day about people even if we don't mean to. I find myself looking at people on my way to work and thinking how many cats do they have? are they happy? are they one of those people who can't use chopsticks?

I find it interesting that everyone can see a different story depending on how they grew up, where they live and what they're exposed to. I don't like to judge people but I think we all do without even noticing. We might make up our own stories about someone but I think it's all innocent and I guess it makes it all the more interesting when we are proved wrong. Look at Susan Boyle!

So anyway, I guess we should all keep our little tales but also an open mind and aim to be surprised ...

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:55:00 +0000

Lately I've been finding potential in old, unplanned photos that I have taken. I feel like I am looking at them through a new pair of eyes and letting them tell me stories. This photo was an in between shot that I didn't think twice about at the time but I've been looking a little deeper to see what those spontaneous images are trying to say.

Photo: Me (Feb 2010) Model: Jemma

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:11:00 +0000

Thank you Law of Attraction! It was only the other day that I was really hoping to get into shooting stills for films when out of the blue a very talented friend of mine Sarah Tinitali asked me if I could come along to a film she was producing to take some. I got to meet so many fantastic people and see how the whole film making process works. The makeup artists and hair stylists, professional actors and talented crew were all so kind and really inspiring. I noticed how important it is to work as a team and I can only imagine it would be the same for big fashion shoots. There are so many things to organise and people on set that without the amazing cooperation that they had it easily could have ended in tears. I also saw that the directors were very specific with what they wanted and had a lot of patience which made things run very smoothly.

The colour palettes that were chosen for the set and costumes were stunning. You could tell that everything was really well thought out as it tied together so perfectly. It was a great opportunity for me to be able to work with some fantastic lighting too because I have really only had experience with natural light. It was all set up for me so all I had to do was shoot! I even got to use a 50mm f/1.2 lens for the day which I am now in love with and have put it on the list to buy before I head overseas.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:34:00 +0000

When I found this quote there were quite a few people in my life that I thought of. I hope that all of you who are going through some tough storms at the moment realise that they are only there so that we can appreciate the beautiful rainbows all the more. love jenna

Photo by me. Model: Tessa

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:26:00 +0000

... there is suffering in life, and there are defeats... But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for - Paulo Coelho

Photography: Me. Models: My brother Jono and host brother Mitch

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:01:00 +0000

I'm thinking a move is on the cards. I'm heading overseas soon for 4 months of traveling but I already have a feeling that I'm going to fall in love with Europe and want to stay there. I mean Australia is absolutely beautiful but the idea of being somewhere foreign makes me so curious and intrigued. Maybe I'll get over there and be disappointed but right now I am pining to live in a place full of culture and unique personalities who share a passion to create and be yourself.

I feel like I get most of my inspiration from reading blogs and connecting with other artists online. I want to walk out of my front door each morning and be overwhelmed with inspiration. Maybe I'm dreaming and this doesn't exist, but I'd rather be optimistic and a fool, than pessimistic and right.

This is a photo I took of a friend of mine who just came back from a tour of Europe... Ahh I'm so in love with natural light.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:31:00 +0000

Just as I was getting all sadsy about it being winter, I woke up to the most beautiful sunrise the other morning. The colours were so unreal and magical, I braved the cold in bare feet and betty boop flanno pjs to take a few quick snaps. I love that about photos, you get to keep the memory forever and every time you look at them they bring back those same emotions.

ratbags or angels?

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:09:00 +0000

I want to be a kid again. Now that I'm not so little anymore, I remember how carefree it was to be a 5 year old ratbag with not a care in the world. Well I was a ratbag anyway. A fat one. My family used to call me the Michelan child because I had so many rolls. Back then, my biggest worry was who would get the front seat on the way to the supermarket . I guess back then those little things seemed enormous and in ten years time I will think back to me in my 20s and how sweet life was without wrinkles.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you a few photos that I took while I was playing photographer at the National Celtic Festival on the weekend. They make me appreciate the small things and live for the moment. The girl in the second photo made me smile, she jumped up out of nowhere and danced her little heart out in front of a room full of people. She didn't care who saw her or what anyone thought of her. That would have been me back in the day... but more like rolling around the stage instead of floating.

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:12:00 +0000

I was going through my iPhoto jungle today and came across this photo that I had taken earlier in the year. I'm not gonna tell you what it was from or instill any ideas in your head as to why it was taken. Instead I want to hear from you guys. I really want to connect with my viewers and make them feel something from my images. What story is this image telling you? Don't be shy now haha

sunkisses

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:46:00 +0000

I love how soft and flattering natural light is. I'll admit it can be a pain in the butt when it's not in the exact position that you want and casts shadows where they're not welcome but when you get that shot where the lighting is just right it's all worth it. Maybe I love natural light so much because I haven't had much experience with studio lighting and flashes. I definitely do want to explore them though.

I've actually hired a Nikon SB900 Flash and a few different lenses from this great (very affordable) Melbourne based company for the Celtic Festival that I'm shooting at this weekend. I'm a bit nervous actually, it's a pretty big event and I haven't done anything of this size before. Does anyone have any events photography tips for me?

Above is a photo I took of a dancer friend of mine, Jemma for her portfolio. I think it's really soft and dreamy and right now that natural light is kicking artificial light up the butt.

storytelling

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:03:00 +0000

Where are those m&ms when you need them... oh the joys of having a drop dead gorgeous sister. Today we decided to skip the normal couch potato sunday with trackies, chocolate and continuous Sex & The City episodes and head out for a photoshoot. Instead of throwing anything and everything into the dress up bag this time, we selected specific clothing to suit a raw, relaxed theme. I wanted the images to have a really content and earthy feel to them and for Sim to feel that there was nothing to worry about, that it can all wait and just for now, for a few hours all there is to do is relax and think about things that she is grateful for. I was really happy with how they turned out. Sim Bim helped me with the post-production when we got home - in our trackies of course, eating chocolate with the relaxing sounds of Carrie Bradshaw in the background.

you are beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:52:00 +0000

I'm a night time worker aaaaand eater haha. I love having a bag of chocolates holding my hand through photo retouching but it's also depressing editing images of these flawless looking models while I sit there inhaling a bag of peanut m&ms. I can't wait to work professionally in the fashion industry (I'm determined to make it happen!) but I'm also pretty anxious about always comparing myself to them. In saying that, the thing I do love about the fashion industry is it's becoming more and more diverse. There are so many unique looking models that push the boundaries of the definition of beauty that it makes me grateful that we all have our own individual look. Look at Bambi with her big bushy eyebrows, Abbey Lee with her gappy teeth and Lily Cole with her alabaster skin and fiery red locks. Ahhh Okay I'm glad I had that little talk with myself, feeling much better and back to the m&ms...

Above is a photo that I took of my friend Tessa who is such a unique beauty

backtracking

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 13:02:00 +0000

Tonight I spent hours going through Photoshop and Digital Photography tutorials and blogs. I found a lot of great stuff here and here. I can't believe how much I have learnt in just one night just from surfing the net. I'm so keen to keep expanding and researching different techniques so I can do some more experimenting. I decided to backtrack through some old photos that I've taken and apply some Photoshop techniques that I learnt tonight. The above image was one of my favourites. It's of my older sister Simona.

Oh and I started a Flikr Account where I'll upload most of my photos. It's a great place to get some feedback, meet other photographers and learn the tricks of the trade! Ahhh All hail the www.

♥ jenna

the only way is up

noreply@blogger.com (jennaforjethro) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 05:11:00 +0000

I'm just so so sooooo so so sick of taking the same old photos blah blah blah. I have a list of so many things that I want to shoot and things to try but I seem to just keep building up this monstrous list and never really start chipping away at it. I want to be obsessed with this photography business. To put my all into this and to learn and draw as much as I can from anything and everything. I'm travelling overseas in a few months and I think that somewhat is holding me back from starting something new but there is never a 'perfect' time to start.. or rather anytime is the perfect time to start so why not begin now.

Right, well here it goes. I want to move on from the stale set shot fashion shoots. I don't feel like I'm evolving. I want to be more involved. To tell a story and to let people in on the taste, smell and sounds. I want it to be more like stills from a film that flow and leave you feeling emotionally attached. To envisage and plan everything from the setting, makeup, garments, props, smells to the music playing in the background. Now the question, what do I want to shoot first? What story do I want to tell?

* Photo was taken on my iphone as I was walking to work. Winter does have SOME positives :)