1. At what age did you first start taking pictures? What was it that drew you to photography back then? I was in high school and wanted to take an elective class. I was full up on art classes like drawing, painting and ceramics and wanted to try something different. Photography class in my school was treated as a “shop class”-in the same hallway as the woodworking shop and auto shop. No art exploration, just pure science, chemistry and numbers. I like the idea that I started learning the important stuff first.

 

2. Last year for Art Noir you shot photos which were influenced by 30’s era mobsters and the Great Depression. The layering of hand written script and the soulful expressions on the models made those images unforgettable to me. Would you consider doing something similar with characters from different (perhaps more modern) time eras? I loved working on that project and yes, I would (and will) use a text/handwriting overlay again-as long as it fits into the narrative of the piece.

 

3. Your models always appear so relaxed and natural. All photographic skill aside, is there an art to making your models feel comfortable while photographing them?  There sure is. First, you should already have everything ready: equipment, ideas, props, etc. so you are not bungling around on someone else’s time. I deeply respect anyone who takes the time to model for me while I explore a concept. My 17 years of experience shooting weddings helps a lot in that I need to make people feel comfortable and good about themselves as it yields better photos. Lots of laughter, flattery and encouragement goes a long way.

 

4. The advent of Photoshop and digital cameras have altered the way photographers handle their images on a global level forever. This is great in some ways, bad in others. What is your personal opinion on the matter? This is definitely a hot-button issue. It’s basically made every other person a “photographer” these days as well as created questions about the “truth in photographs”. They are crucial tools, however, and I’m glad to be able to utilize them.

 

5. You have a business called Equinox Photography (www.equinoxwed.com) through which you often photograph weddings. You work tirelessly to produce some great images for happily wedded couples. Could you juxtapose what you do at Equinox with the themed work you do for art shows? What are the similarities? What are the differences? With a wedding, it’s someone else’s story: they choose the venue, the wardrobe, etc. I’m there to record it and show what was beautiful that day. My personal artwork is my story, my choices and the moods and narrative that I choose. They are similar in that my main desire is to create something amazing.

 

6. I sometimes help you and your assistant Karen with wedding shoots. Whats that like? Is it pretty awful? It’s terrible, just terrible!-wink wink. No, we have tons of fun and get things done (hey! That rhymes!) I’m glad to have assistance from both of you. It’s crucial to me for getting the job done right for my clients.

 

7. Your schedule can get pretty hectic at times, but you seem to roll with the punches. How do you handle the stress? The endorphins I produce while working are nothing short of amazing. I think of nothing else while I’m working, I have one mission. The pace and excitement of shooting and being around happy people is very uplifting. Changes and problems happen all the time and I find I am quick to adjust and find alternatives. I don’t feel any physical pain until I get home and I fix that with some wine and a hot bath.

 

8. What photographers were you inspired by when you first began honing your craft, and why? There are many, but Cindy Sherman was a biggie for me-I was fascinated at all the different people she could be with her self portraits. She did series after series and they just got better and weirder in a way that my brain responded to. Her work made me want to do more than just take a nice photo of a vase of flowers or a deer grazing in the yard. I wanted to make my viewer feel something and have questions. I began to understand that I wanted to have a visual conversation with them and making that happen is harder than it would seem.

 

9. Name one thing about modern day photography that you just can’t stand. Mainly new photographers who take on the title “pro” too soon without having the proper education and body of work. A camera, business card and a Facebook page do not make one a “pro”. I just wish more people would take the time to really learn before they take people’s weddings into their hands. It’s too important a day to mess up and make rookie mistakes. When I shot my first wedding, I had already been studying and practicing photography for 10 years.

 

10. Which one of your own works is your favorite? Why? My current favorite is “A Plea For Mr. Martin” from my vintage mugshot series. I was working on the image on my computer and when I added the handwritten text overlay to the somber image, I really felt that I had created something special. There was a feeling that my work had just taken a leap forward. It was very exciting.

 

11. What makes a good picture stand out from average one? I guess that is entirely subjective. For me, an average photo shows you something-and that’s it. A good photo tells you something and makes you want to know more.

 

12. Locations and weather conditions are crucial to setting up a good shot. How do you handle these factors when they don’t work in your favor? Always have a Plan B and a Plan C! At weddings and otherwise, I scope out the location for any and every possible areas for photos, indoors and out. So much trouble can be saved from just arriving a few minutes early and having a look around.

 

13. If you could only shoot in color or black and white for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?  Yikes, I don’t know! I suppose, black and white because it would continue to challenge me to tell a story without having to depend on pretty colors. Black and white photos can better convey a mood and have more of a “fine art” feel to them for me.

Check out more of Jeannie Worley’s works below!

Urban Living Center

Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series

Reitz Home Museum