To say that I adore Jennifer James is an understatement. She has been a shining light in my blogging life. I share my highs and my lows and she gives me a shoulder, an ear and lots of great ideas. That in and of itself would be enough except that she is just plain talented.
She crafts posts that pull me in, she is constantly innovating and exploring new topics within her niche and beyond on her blog Are you there God, it’s me Generation X. She also does a weekly radio show in Oklahoma, works tirelessly for the arts in her role as Director of the non-profit organization, Oklahoma for the Arts and she is a self-taught and continually inspiring photographer.
Above and beyond all that, she is a kind and caring person and I think that is what draws me to her. We have many similarities, but also lots of differences all of which seem to complement each other, but above all she is empathetic to the human cause and just a nice person. And as we have actually never met in person, but she is the virtual version of a BFF!
As if Jennifer did not have enough on her plate with her family, her work and her blogging, she has recently launched a new project that has become near and dear to my heart and I wanted to share it with you in my second edition of my J’adore supplement where I focus in an expanded view on one thing, product, person, company that is near and dear to my heart. It is like an open love letter to these people, places and things that I admire and adore and I want to share it with you. You can catch my love letter to AFAR last week to get a taste of how these posts are going to work.
Photos and Generations is a photo project that is an extension of the very heart and soul of Jennifer. Not just because the photos are beautiful, and they are, but what they represent and the intentions behind them. I am a big fan and I want you to be too! Besides just telling you how I feel, I wanted Jennifer to share some responses to questions that I posed to her to learn a little more:
(1) What motivated you to do Photos & Generations?
I was inspired to start Photos & Generations because of the work of Little Brown Pen and the Paris Color Project. I wondered if I could create something similar, focusing on Oklahoma. Everyone knows to love Paris, but people don’t know to love Oklahoma. This is a state with a lot of challenges, but there is wonderful life and adventure here. Your frequent posts about Little Brown Pen as well as your own love for Paris has caused me to look deeper within Oklahoma to find the nuances and what makes it special.
You frequently write about travel and adventure, and I’ve read your blog for about four years now. So, I have wanderlust, naturally, but I am always landlocked here in OKC. I feel a little stuck and so taking pictures and finding the beauty is my way of accepting my current station in life. I have three children, 14, 5 and 7. Travel is difficult and expensive. So, I set out to cultivate an appreciation for this journey. I know travel is in my future, but I feel challenged by the adventure of seeing a city I’ve lived in for 25 years, in a completely new light. Plus, OKC has changed so much in those 25 years.
(2) You go into very specific detail on the finish and production of the prints, what was your process in determining these specific details?
I received a KLOUT perk one time from Moo.com. It was for some business cards; an entire set I was able to create using multiple images I’d shot of Oklahoma subjects. I didn’t think much of it, but when the cards arrived, I was stunned by the quality of print and paper. I knew then that Moo would be my choice vendor if I ever decided to do the cards. They made it so easy. I could probably get the printing done in OKC using those same specs, but for now, I’m just sticking with Moo. Truly, they help me create such great cards, I want to kiss their paper. =)
[I adore Moo as well, my blog cards were created with Moo and their products are amazing.]
(3) What are your photo inspirations?
Regarding my aspirations, I want to live more and more behind the lens of my Nikon. Great pictures take enormous time and devotion. People often ask me what settings I use on my camera. There is no easy way to tell them it isn’t about the settings. It’s about seeing. It’s about not being blind or obtuse or preoccupied. It’s about not being judgmental; not being overcome with preconceived ideas about beauty.
Settings matter a little; seeing matters most of all. This “seeing” takes time, energy, passion, love, acceptance, forgiveness, effort. Nurturing all these things in myself are part of my aspirations because they help me “see” the world. When I am busy, stressed, tired or upset, I don’t reach for my camera. Even then, behind the lens, all I can see is me and my problems.
So, with that, my aspiration is to capture pictures that help people see all that is right and perfect in the world and in their lives. That is exactly what I was trying to do when I started taking pictures. The big picture of life would get me down, but when I’d take pictures and come back and look at them, sheer perfection would leap off the page. So, I started studying those perfect moments like the way the light falls between two trees. Ansel Adams said 12 significant photographs in a year is a good crop. I’m sure he was right!
See, isn’t she amazing?
I want you to have the opportunity for you to see for yourself. I am giving away some of her beautiful prints for one lucky person.
To enter, simply leave a comment letting me know which photo from Jennifer’s site is your favorite and why.
I will use Random.org to select one commenter and provide them with $75 to spend in Jennifer’s store. That can be used to buy a variety of postcards, greeting cards or prints.
You have until midnight PST Thursday, October 4th to leave your comment.
Good luck and I hope you take the time to explore and enjoy the amazing images taken by Jennifer.
You are so generous!! And, I have many times wondered, “Does Andi know she’s my virtual BFF?” Thank you so much for this post and for believing in me. You have been such an inspiration to me. Another thing I’ve learned in this journey is what it means to stick around a blog community for a long time. There are many gifts delivered over the months and years that you just can’t get lurking or even visiting from time-to-time. My mom always said to choose my friends wisely. It applies to online connections, too. Choose your influencers wisely as they might become your friends! And, you have become a friend, and I’m so much better for the influence you’ve had on me, not just in photography, food, blogging and adventure, but in your bold generosity. I hope I can be half as generous!
I have been following Jennifer’s blog for about 6 months. Thus far, my favorite photo is one of graffiti on a train. The foreground is a field of praire grass and the background is red train car that has been tagged with graffiti, but next to it is an unexpected portrait of a girl – a beautiful portrait.
Well if I had to pick one, it would be from the Route 66 Hood Ornaments set. I really like the one that is the Indian Head (orange in color). It reminds me of the huge head of crazy horse they carved in the Dakotas (I think).
I do not blog byself, but I have followed Jennifer’s “BLOG” from the onset. She makes the difficult appear so easy. Her photos of children and family capture my heart. Her siloettes are fantastic and the KELLY SET is wonderful, but my FAVORITE (Is there only one?). Is the “DAD CARD” with all of the colorful screwdrivers. (FAMILY COLLECTION) It brought back memories of days, so long ago, of my father in his workshop –
I love the route 66 set! Everything about this set is striking, proper Americana. The first one with the orange light is my favorite, with the Motel faded in the distance. It captures the colors of the west beautifully too
Wow! I can’t really choose just one… but the family collection is my favorite!
I am impressed with the clear sharp images!! Love the photos and the sentiments behind the collections. I think my fav is the Thunder Graffiti Railroad because my daughter loves graffiti art!
I love the blue shopping carts by the blue door. Love how Jennifer finds beauty and art in every day items.
Blue is also my favorite color so always drawn to it.
I like numer 5 of http://photosandgenerations.blogspot.it/p/this-oklahoma-life.html because I love orange.
She’s Not Here is my favorite, because it is so powerful and moving.
I love the route 66 photos, I love all the bright colours
My favorite photo is A CARD FOR DAD – because it reminds me of my Dad’s workshop.
I really love everything from the yellow set; especially the one with the out of focus little pink blossoms in the foreground.
It’s the india tail light thingie all the way for me
best le xox
I like the photo in the pink album that looks like cherry blossoms. It is stunning and captures the grace and beauty of the blossoms.
I enjoy the Route 66 images. A wonderful blend of colors, the old and the new. An important historic perspective for Oklahomans. thanks to Jennifer for the great eye.
I like #5 in the pink set – close up of a flower – an iris?
Hi! I love the blue set, especially the photo of shopping carts by the blue door. I find the colors most beautiful and vivid in that photo.
everything will be ok
Thanks for the giveaway! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com GFC: janna@feedyourpig
She Isn’t Here is beautiful.
I REALLY ADORE THE “BLUES {Oklahoma]” COLLECTION AS WELL AS THE “Family” ONE. I JUST THINK SHE IS ABSOLUTELY TALENTED. I LOVE THE ANGLE SHE TAKES HER PHOTOS ON & THE UNIQUENESS OF WHAT SHE PHOTOS. VERY COOL. PLEASE ENTER ME, THANK YOU!
I love the Railroad Crossing one under “This Oklahoma Life”
I especially like the first picture in the RED, BLUE [Oklahoma Retro] collection (“Industrial Plumbing”) and the first picture in the Route 66 collection. Beautiful colours and compositions! Thank you very much for this giveaway.
Oh my, I’m a Generation X-er.
I think I would get a pink (cherry blossom?) photo for my kitchen. Or the horse for my daughter’s room.
I like the yellow firefighter because there is just something about every day heroes
I love the parrot in the garden hose
http://photosandgenerations.blogspot.com/p/greens-oklahoma.html
I just love the leaf on the window pic. Is it very peaceful. I just love the rain
Love the rain on orange pumpkin, it’s beautiful. And the yellow firefighter reminds me of my dad. Thank you
I LIKE THE ORANGE COLLECTION
my favorite is the Leaf on Window | Under our Tree | Oklahoma City | September 29, 2012
We moved from Oklahoma last year; before that, I’d lived there all my life. I love the This Oklahoma Life set – it really does remind me of home, especially the sunset shot.
love the grey dog with a vibrant green tutu,love dogs and make tutu’s!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the She isn’t Here photo!
I like the route 66 photos, because I always loved auto shows and old car memorabilia!
The Blue Swallow Motel is my favorite. I love the Route 66 collection. I love the nostalgia of the past.
I like the bug on the yellow flower
http://www.photosandgenerations.blogspot.com/p/pink-oklahoma.html is my favorite group and the tree blossoms is my favorite picture.
Thanks for the contest.
oops. didn’t say why I like the blossom pic.
The colors and contrasts and sharp & fuzzy bits make it stand out.
This is amazing. I definitely need to check these out closer. I love photos like these.
@Mary Ann, Jen is absolutely amazing, I hope you love her stuff!