Feb '11 | Interview with Jodi Lebrun from Living Life Photographically

Articles & InterviewsThe Creative Diarist
Written By Helen Stead

Today I am so excited to present an interview with the wonderfully talented Jodi Lebrun. Jodi is a photographer from Ontario, Canada who took the plunge to open her own business selling fine art prints on her Etsy shop.

I've had the chance to quiz Jodi on her life, creative process, studio space and her daily inspirations. The passion she has for her subject is so inspiring to read and the time and effort she puts into her practice (as well as finding time to be a mum!) is admirable! Enjoy!

Hello Jodi! Could you please give an introduction to you, what you create, your job and location?

I am a wife and mom to 4 busy kids up in Timmins, ON, Canada. I’m 39. I am a Photographer. I recently decided to take the plunge and open ‘Photography By Jodi’ I had dreamt about doing this for the last few years and it felt like it was finally the right time. I have spent the last few years taking courses to learn the more technical side of photography. I’m a graduate of NYIP’s Full Photography Course and I’ve taken a variety of online courses in many different areas-I want to learn it all. I’ve also logged many hours learning Photoshop-it is the cornerstone of modern photography-in my opinion. It has allowed me to discover my ‘style’ and it has opened up a whole new creative world for me. I now use my photography to create fine art prints that I sell in my Etsy shop and I’ve learned how to make digital textures-I offer many of them free at my blog. I also am getting ready to launch a line of pendants, rings, brooches and magnets that feature my artwork. I’m really excited about expanding into other areas that allow me to share my photos in different mediums.

Why did you choose photography as your preferred medium of working?

For as long as I can remember I’ve been taking pictures. I honestly believe that it chose me. As a kid I always had a camera in my bag whether it was a Polaroid or a plastic 35 mm something or other. As I got older I upgraded as technology allowed-I shot 35 mm for many years-I was the teenager who took the pictures at every party, school event and outdoor excursion. As a young adult my hubby finally got me my first digital camera-I was in heaven-no more holding on to rolls of film or waiting for weeks to get them back from the lab! Instant gratification! My photography was taken to a new level when I had my kids-I captured every moment that I could...and then some. I continued on for years taking pictures, printing them out and filling my albums. I still do this. I cherish my photo albums and am thrilled at the thought of my 4 kids having them as we all get older.

I  have adored photography for close to 30 years because I love the hands on aspect and the fact that I am in complete control of the process. I  never get tired of looking through the viewfinder - I want to capture all  of the amazing things that are around me.

Do you prefer to use film or digital cameras? What are some of your favourite cameras to use?

I use them both regularly, I fell in love with film again last year so I couldn’t possibly choose between them! I love my Canon 7D-it is simply an amazing DSLR and it’s the one I use for my photo sessions and most of my fine art prints, but, I am totally hooked on vintage film cameras!  I started collecting them last year and my collection has grown to well over 20 different cameras. I have Polaroids, 4 Brownies, a Minolta SRT 200 (my main 35 mm body), my Pentax Asahi (backup 35 mm body), an Argus 75 and Kodak Duaflex (I use these for TtV) and then there’s my Holga and my Diana. They are probably my favorite as far as convenience and results-I toss them in my bag and shoot away when the sun is bright – I always end up with quirky little square format negatives. I also develop my own black and white film in my kitchen sink-a friend taught me how to develop my own and I love it!

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I love to create. I think it’s this desire to ‘create’ that drives me to always be on the lookout for the next picture. I am inspired by the colors, shapes and textures of things. I am inspired by the mundane, the quirky and the exciting stuff. All are opportunities to practice my craft. I also seem to have a strange love for all things vintage - this one snuck up on me over the last few months. I’ve always enjoyed converting my family pictures to black and white or sepia but when I realized that I could buy and photograph actual vintage items-oh my! I am in love with flea markets, second-hand shops and Etsy - there are just amazing shops with so many inspiring items and images.

I also get a huge amount of inspiration from other photographers. I love flickr, it is a talent pool like no other. I’ve made some amazing connections with other artists there. I ask questions in the forums about my cameras-I’m in a group for each of my vintage and toy cams-they are a great resource. I’ve also been blogging for months now and have found another community of incredibly talented people. Moms, professionals and everything in between, all eager to share ideas and positive thoughts.

Can you describe yourself in three words? (e.g, photographer, collector, artist, writer)

Mom. Photographer. Entrepreneur.

Who are some of your favourite artists/bloggers?

I have so many! I follow digital and analogue blogs so I’ve got twice as many! Here’s some of my absolute faves..

The Pioneer Woman - Ree should be in everyone’s feed-she has something inspiring in so many areas!, Susannah Conway, Shutter Sisters - So Inspiring!, Shadow House Creations - Jerry has textures that are to die for!, Faded Prairie - Love the country feel and her photo challenges, Vivienne McMaster - I’m currently in ‘You are your own Muse’. It is so much fun!, Susan Tuttle - Polaroid Queen!, For The Easily Distracted - This girl has the best in lomography!, Isabella LaFrance - Isabelle has actions, textures, you name it! Gorgeous! and JPG Mag - This is an article explaining TtV (through the viewfinder-my newest love)

What is your studio space like?

I work out of my home. My kitchen table is my office-for now. I also have a ‘craft area’ in my bedroom where I store my growing collection of vintage props, papers, backdrops, craft supplies, paint supplies and books. We are currently renovating our basement and when it’s done I will have a digital art studio (scanner, printers, laptop, tablet) and a Photography studio. I have studio lights, reflectors, backdrops-the whole nine yards! Even at my kitchen table I am inspired to create-partly because it is bright and I am surrounded by my cameras and pictures of my family and partly because I am so determined to make this business a success-I’d work anywhere if it meant doing what I love!

I am in the process of gathering up props for my family sessions (hats, chairs, tutus, baskets, etc) I have big dreams of being able to offer my clients everything from their photo session to their newborn baby in a pendant I made around their neck!

It has been lovely to learn so much about Jodi & her work and I'd like to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer some of my burning questions! If you would like to see more of her work you can find her in the following places; Join her Living Life Photographically Flickr group, see more of her art prints on her Photo by Jodi shop, visit her Facebook Photography page or have a look at her blog and see what challenges she is currently taking part in.

Thanks again Jodi, it's been a pleasure!

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