First Friday Features: Jana O'Flaherty
Three years ago a group of women and I took "The Best Darn Beginner Class Ever". I had no idea how big the decision was to take that class. I'm guessing a lot of them didn't either. Since we were taking it "Study Along" we decided to form a Facebook group so that we could work on the materials together and help each other. Jana was a part of that group, so I have had the privilege of watching her grow and develop stylistically. Her food photography can make someone like me *almost* want to start cooking delicious meals from scratch. What I really love, though, is the way she captures her children's childhood in such a natural, unposed way. She knows how to use light beautifully, and her black and white photography is so rich and gorgeous.
Jana was one of the first from our group to become a CMPro - a title much deserved. Not only is her photography impressive, but she's just a sweet, kind, loyal person I'm lucky enough to call a friend. After you read the interview, check out her work HERE, or HERE.
You: The Person
1. How would your family and friends describe you?
Hmm, that is always a tough one! I think if you asked my husband, he’d say stubborn and ‘liberal’ lol. I definitely hold a grudge, but for my true friends, I’d do anything.
2. How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have two children – a daughter who is 10, and a son who is 4.
3. What is the hardest part of being a mom of that many children?
We had accepted that we would only have one child, so it was a surprise and a joy when we found out we had a chance to have another. Having two children is probably not the hard part – the hard part is the age gap (the kids love each other but they drive each other bonkers and I don’t see that changing any time soon) and starting all over with the parts of raising a child that we though we were done with. Being older when I had my son, I’m probably more tired than I was with my daughter too lol.
4. What does your husband do, and how did you meet?
My husband and I met on a blind date, and I only went to stop my friend from bugging me about it lol. Obviously, it worked out ;) He is a medical lab technologist at a local hospital, as well as another small hospital in a neighbouring town.
5. What makes you laugh? What makes you cry?
The true goofiness of a child makes me laugh – not the type where they are trying to make you laugh…the type where they don’t even know they are doing or saying something silly. As for tears, the idea of not being able to protect my children makes me cry. It’s the reason I can’t watch Walking Dead, or any of those apocalyptic movies, with my husband, despite my love of horror and thrillers. The idea of not being there, of my children wandering the streets without me, strikes terror in my heart. Also, as ridiculous as it sounds, mean people make me cry.
6. What is your best physical feature? What is one that you would like to change?
Oh gosh, my best physical feature…long fingers? I wish I had kept up with piano! One thing I’d like to change is my weight (yes, totally within my control, I know).
7. If you could change one thing about yourself or your life, what would it be?
I would have gone to university straight out of high school. Our lives would likely be quite different if I had a ‘career’ long ago, instead of working towards one now.
8. Do you exercise? If so, what do you do and how often?
I don’t…I was doing really well about hitting the treadmill daily until I got sick, and that was ages ago. Totally fell off the wagon.
9. If you need new clothes, where do you shop?
I usually just grab stuff at Old Navy, but for the most part, I refuse to shop until I lose some weight lol.
10. Where/How did you meet your closest friends?
I met my oldest friend in high school, and even though we don’t talk often and she lives across the country, we still catch up when we can and I love her and her family. My other closest friendships have all been made through photography in the last few years.
11. How many friends do you have that you could call at 3am to bail you out of jail? What did you probably do to get arrested?
I’d probably say one or two, but I cannot even imagine what I would do to get arrested lol!
12. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I’m a bit paranoid, so I’m not sure I’ve ever done anything crazy (we won’t go back to stupid things I did in high school).
13. What is the one thing about yourself that you are really proud of?
I went back to college this year, and I’m really proud of how well I’m doing. It’s definitely not easy for me, but I’m enjoying the materials and getting great marks.
You: The Photographer
14. How did you become interested in photography?
My story is probably similar to so many other ‘momtogs’ – my daughter was born, and I wanted to capture every silly expression, and all her loveliness. Things just carried on from there, although it wasn’t until my son was born that I actually took steps to learn ‘the rules.’
15. How long have you been in business?
I’ll have been in business for 2 years this summer, although it remains very part time. I’m just not aggressive with marketing etc. so I do struggle to build a base, but I adore the families I’ve had the good fortune of working with and many of them are repeat clients.
16. If you’re in business, what job did you have before becoming a photographer?
It’s been 10 years since I’ve worked outside of the home, although I’ve done home childcare since my daughter was very young. My background before she was born was customer service, and human resources.
17. What camera/lenses/camera bag do you use?
I’m a Nikon girl, and currently shoot with a D610, and a Sigma 35 95% of the time. I also have a 105 macro, and an 85, along with an old 50 that I pull out very, very occasionally for free lensing. I play with a couple film cameras as well, but with the cost of developing, I’ve tucked that away for a bit. I’ll probably pull them out this summer again. My camera bag was a gift from my husband, my first big girl ‘real’ camera bag and it’s so pretty, but I hate to use it on shoots (it kills my neck and back), so I’m in the market for an awesome backpack style.
18. Do you use Lightroom, Photoshop or both?
I use Lightroom. I do have PSE, but honestly, the only thing I use it for is the occasional head swap lol.
19. Do you take pictures everyday?
I don’t – I’ve attempted and failed a 365 more than once, and I’m not a person who enjoys shooting through ruts. If I’m upset or uninspired, my camera brings me no joy, so I tuck it aside until I’m ready. I know, it’s not for everyone, but it works for me.
20. What is your biggest struggle as a photographer?
My biggest struggle as a photographer is blocking out the noise. It seems like there is always someone ready to tell you how to do it, when to do it, why to do it, and where to do it. Photography is such a personal thing. For goodness sake – the photographic community cannot even agree on what defines lifestyle vs fine art vs documentary vs storytelling. Each person you ask has a different answer, and I found myself drowning in all the ‘advice’ online. Trying to impress the ‘right people’ resulted in me losing myself, my inspiration, my love for photography…surrounding myself with a select group of women has been enlightening and vital.
21. How often are you on FB/ Instagram/ Twitter/ your blog?
I probably check in daily to Facebook or Instagram, but I’m not consistent with posting.
22. How difficult would it be for you to go without screens (no phone/ iPad/ computer/ TV) for one week? One month?
If I didn’t need my computer to access my classes and school work, I think I’d be fine going a week. I’m a huge reader, and less screen time means more time for reading, more time for the kids, and all the extra stuff I put off. A month? I think I’d miss the contact with my small group of online friends. I wish we lived closer!
23. How do you promote your photography?
I don’t do a lot of promotion right now, other than keeping my eyes open for random opportunities. I post on my business page, and on Instagram, when the mood strikes. I recently wrote an article for a Canadian blog called Shutters & Strollers about challenges and tips for photographing preteens, and I’ve had an article and some photos published in 125 and Click in the past.
24. Whose work are you most influenced or inspired by?
I’m not really sure who influences and inspires my work. I have a few photographic idols – Sarah Lalone, Lisa Tichane, and Kate Densmore – but I don’t know that their work influences mine (their work is definitely different from mine). I truly enjoy many photographers’ work, but don’t aim to emulate it.
25. Have you done any personal projects? Is there anything new you are working on right now or plan to start soon?
I’ve participated in blog circles in the past – a Canadian 10 on 10, Our Life is Here with a small group of amazing women, a 365 blog circle, a food based circle, a landscape based circle, Letters to Our Daughters/Sons…I’ve tried a ton but this year I had to pull back from them all to focus on school. My pet project now is what I call ‘the in between’ – that awkward stage that children go through when they are no longer cute and adorable, but haven’t moved on to a confident teen. My daughter is 10, and she needs to be represented in our family albums, even if I have to find different ways to do that.