This is part my ‘Meet a Momtographer’ series. I’ll be hosting interviews with past students every Monday this month as I get ready to re-release the Momtographie Online class into the world.
Today I’m so excited for you to meet DC area momtographer Jolene. After attending one of my local jumpstart Momtographie classes last year her past love of photography was rekindled and she’s been working all year to master manual mode and take more documentary ‘real life’ styled images. I know you’re going to love her story, her family, and her inspirational images.
Name:
Jolene Wilbur
Camera/Lenses:
During Momtographie I was shooting with my Canon Rebel XT with both an EFS 17-85mm and 50mm 1.4. I quickly realized how limiting the ISO range was on my eight year old camera. Last month I updated to a full frame camera, a Canon 6D with my 50mm 1.4 and 24-105mm. I love the upgraded camera body, especially because I can successfully shoot in extremely low light situations without flash now.
Tell us a bit about your kids and your family.
I’m a California girl, currently living in Northern Virginia. I’m married to my best friend, and most amazing husband and father. We are blessed with two beautiful boys. Our oldest, is six and a half years old. He is kind hearted, observant, cautious and has a strong sense of justice. He takes his role as a big brother very seriously and is so loving. Our second, will be turning one this week. He is calm and curious, but he lets us know when he’s hungry or tired, and has earned the nickname, Lion Cub.
We’re a Navy family and the military has moved us to many beautiful ports. We enjoy traveling and seeing new places, but nothing beats a relaxed day together at home.
Tell us what you love about being a mom.
I have always known I was called to be a mother. In fact, the very first night my husband and I met (in a bar), I shared with him that I’m an elementary school teacher, but I also planned to be a SAHM. I’m glad I didn’t scare him off with my blunt honesty!
As a mother, I find God’s hand in the little moments of our day. We struggled with secondary infertility, and it gave me a heightened appreciation for miracle of our children. Every day, I see life through my boys’ eyes, and I appreciate the experiences we have together.
What sparked your interest in photography?
I love art. I bought my first camera, a Polaroid, when I was six years old and have considered myself a photographer ever since. We purchased our first DSLR for our honeymoon, but I only ever used the automatic modes. I focused mostly on landscapes, and took pictures at holidays and family gatherings. Six weeks after our first son was born, the Navy moved us across the country. I wanted a way to share his first year with our extended family. We started a blog where we could post photos and stories. When our son was less than two years old, my husband went on deployment (the first of many as a Father). Photography took on a special roll when Daddy was missing-out on six months of family life. I wanted to document our lives and adventures, and be a memory keeper for our family.
What was your biggest frustration before Momtographie
Before taking Momtographie, I shot in full AUTO mode. I could rarely capture crisp images in-doors. They were dark and blurry or completely unnatural because the flash would pop-up.
Were there any ah ha moments for you during the class? What were you able to put to use right away?
Last October, I attended Beryl’s in person Momtographie class. When Beryl taught about the exposure triangle, it brought back memories from my high school photography class with film speed, aperture and shutter speed. It felt like a reawakening of my artistic photographic control. That day, I switched into Aperture Priority mode on my camera. I learned how to adjust my camera’s settings and choose how much of the image was in focus, creating a dramatic improvement in my images!
In January, I committed to learning how to shoot in manual mode. I enrolled in Momtographie online, because I knew Beryl could help me reach my goal, and I’d heard the class forum created a supportive community. I cannot believe how much I learned in just six weeks! As soon as I learned how to adjust my camera settings to boost the light, I was able to take crisp pictures in-doors! Rooms where I had never been able to take natural photographs, were suddenly perfect for memories to be captured! I now shoot in manual mode full time.
Do you have a favorite photo you’ve taken since our work together? Tell us about it.
One of my favorite photos, is an image of our youngest son in the hallway. It was created in an authentic parenting moment, when I was tired and the kids were out of sorts. I’ve found the hour before dinner to be the most challenging of my day. I have to wrangle our oldest into the bath, feed the youngest, and everyone is a little grumpy. That afternoon, I stationed the Jumperoo outside the bathroom door so the boys could “play” together while I finished dinner. They were both entertained and happy: Win! At that moment, the sidelight on my son in the dark hallway, caught my eye. The lighting was beautiful artistically speaking, but it was also a beautiful moment as a mom. Before Momtographie, I never would have been able to capture the high contrast between the highlight on my son, and the deep shadow down the hall. I love that manual mode has enabled me to capture a truer image of our everyday moments.
Where do you hope your photography journey takes you in 2014?
This year I’m working to complete a 365 Project. Taking a picture every day has been a challenge at times, but it has kept me practicing, and helped me look for the beauty in every day. I find the process of choosing one image to post each day an expression of thanksgiving for the many gifts in our lives. I hope that at the end of 2014 I am able to compile an album full of images that our family will look back through and treasure.
