Lensbaby Unplugged Member of the Week
Interview with Jessica Chevalier
Q: What is your favorite shoot you've ever done?
A: My favorite shoots are when I can be surrounded by nature & just tune into my surroundings with the camera. I let my mind focus on the quiet of the moment as soon as I put the camera up to my eye. I love to have at least one of my lensbabies with me at all times when out & about.
Q: What inspires you to reach for your camera? How often do you reach for your camera?
Q: What are your favorite Lensbaby Lenses to use in your session?
A: I love all my LB lenses, but definitely find I have favorite subjects with each. I use my Sweet 35 in combination with macro filters to take flower shots. Edge 80 is fantastic for architecture. I love the twist 60 in the garden & forest. And last, but certainly not least, I use the Velvet 56 for nearly everything!
Q: How did you hear about Lensbaby, and what encouraged you to purchase a LB lens?
A: Some photographer friends had some LB lenses & I loved the looks they were getting in their photographs. I went to the LB website & bought my first LB, the Sweet 35, in 2012. I was immediately hooked!
Q:What was your journey to becoming a photographer like?
A: I've had a camera in my hand since I was a teenager, in the days of film! I have always loved the process of documenting my surroundings. Photography can really connect you with the world, especially when you might need a little grounding in your life! I still shoot film, as well as digital. Once I got the camera in my hands, I never wanted to put it down! And one of the joys of it is that you never stop learning. There is always something new to explore.
Q: What is your favorite subject to photograph and how would you describe your photography style?
A: Nature is the predominant theme in my photography as well as places that are on the verge of disappearing. I hope to showcase these subjects in a way that evokes feelings nostalgia & an urgency to preserve. I look at old photos from the turn of the century & my heart sinks when I see beautiful countrysides that have been lost to development. I ponder if someday, someone might come across my work & feel the same way.
Q: What do you love the most about photography?
A: Every time I pick up the camera it forces me to get out of whatever fog I may have been stuck in. I love the documentation of things through photography & how it can give you a sense of place. I also love how I can look at other people's work & immediately get a glimpse into their minds & souls & see what is important to them.
Q: What helps you when you're struggling with a creative block?
A: Sometimes you just have to do some still life. When it's been a while & I feel stagnant I like to gather objects from my various collections & see what I can come up with. I can then be creative in how I arrange things & also play with the lighting in the studio (natural or flash). The end results may be a complete failure, but it got me to pick up the camera, practice, & then look at it subjectively so I can improve for the next time. On the flip side, sometimes it works! The important thing is to just keep trying.
Q: Would you consider yourself an adventurous photographer, or do you tend to stay in your comfort zone?
A: I am not adventurous in the sense that I'm going to run out & climb a mountain to catch a sunset, but I wouldn't be opposed to it! I do like a challenge. There are definitely some subjects that I struggle with. Whenever I can, I will try to shoot them just to get the practice in. I figure eventually I will get it or form new ideas on how to make it work for me. Not everyone will be good at everything, but it's nice to try & learn from those experiences.
Q: What else would you like to see from Lensbaby in the future?
A: I am pretty happy with their offerings now!