Unraveled Expert Artist | Jennifer Connelly, UEA

We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Connelly to the blog as an Unraveled Expert Artist! Her work is truly mesmerizing with bold colors, interesting lighting and compositions that draw your eyes in. Each image is a work of art.

She is a Florida-based photographer specializing in lifestyle photography with a creative twist. She is a mom to a freckled-faced, photographer-in-training little boy Hunter, and her muse and wild-child daughter, Olivia. Married to her best friend, you can find them enjoying the boat and beautiful beaches surrounding their area, tackling the next travel adventure, or simply enjoying being at home.

From documenting everyday moments to her creative composites, Jen brings out the whimsy and magical in her images, uniquely telling her story.

For More Inspiration:

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Here is Jennifer, Unraveled…

What inspires your art?

I've always been drawn to nature and light. My children re-lit the spark in me and now they are my biggest inspirations for my work.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?

I shot Canon up until two years ago when I switched to Sony, though I still use my Canon lenses. Also in my camera bag are my GoPro (that I use for all my underwater images), and my DJI drone (which I’m very slowly mastering). I also own a few Lensbaby lenses.

My go to lens on my Sony is my Canon 24-70 2.8L. It works for pretty much ANY situation and though I would prefer a fixed lens, my kids move too much right now.

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I have started getting into macro and nature photography, as well as lots of DIY Pinterest crafts. Or attempted crafts. My kids and I raise Monarch butterflies, and we love getting dirty out in our butterfly garden.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day?

A nice glass of wine is always nice, along with reading a book or creating a fun edit.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing?

I have the most RANDOM playlists. But as a child of mix-tapes and CD's, I don't think anyone would expect anything less. One image I may be jamming out to a classical oldie, and the next some 90's hiphop with country and Christian music thrown in the mix. I'm telling ya, it can get wild with my playlists.

What is your favorite book?

Oh this is a hard one. I've been a hard core reader since I was in 2nd grade. I don't think I really have a favorite but many! Nicholas Sparks of course, Message from Nam - Danielle Steel, as well as many, many more.

Name one movie that inspires you.

Just one? Braveheart.

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?

It depends on how bad it is. I am learning there are times we need to just allow ourselves breaks and to get through those slumps, try to figure out what brought us here. There are times I force myself to bring my camera with me and take ONE image. Just one. By doing that, I've found it helps re-spark that light inside.

I am still struggling with self-doubt if we're gonna be honest. I think as artists it is something that is second nature. Our art is who we are, and its hard to remember that we should be shooting for ourselves. Our clients come to us for who we are.

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

Imposter syndrome and balancing being a mom + chasing my photography dream! Also the cliques... lol

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Well its not a topping, but I prefer Margherita Pizza.

What is your most favorite kind of light and why?

I would have said golden hour if I'd been asked a few years back. But since having kids, and being on my third year of my 365 project, I've learned to LOVE full sun, shade or dappled light. With my kids, I had to learn to shoot kinda on their schedule, which forced me to change my outlook on mid-day shooting, and I am so so glad.

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