We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Carr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my desire to always choose to see things in the a more positive light. Life throws a lot of obstacles in our way and the only things we have control of is our reaction to those challenges. I choose to react from a feeling of patience, understanding, and curiosity. I believe that by putting positive energy into the world, my days will be filled with more hope and kindness- and what more could I ask for?!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a full time landscape, nature, and travel photographer and photography educator. My love of the outdoors has strongly influenced my photography and I feel the most inspired when I am outside, letting the calm and quiet surround me as I connect with my surroundings. Through photography, I have found a way to express how I feel when I am immersed in nature.
What I love most about photography is an image’s ability to take a viewer with me on a journey and to make them feel like part of the story. My goal is to create images that are uplifting and lighthearted, leaving the viewer filled with hope and a desire to join me on my next adventure.
Splitting my time between the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I spend much of my time outdoors and am an avid traveler, always with my camera in hand. As soon as we return from one trip, I’m usually packing my bag for the next.
I am the host of The Saltwater Retreat a women’s photography retreat and creativity workshop and Create Confidently online small group mentoring. I also offer photography prints, private photography mentoring, and creative coaching. In 2024, I am excited to offer a scholarship for the Saltwater Retreat in an effort to make the trip more accessible to women of all means.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I was a new photographer, just dipping my toes into considering starting a business, I attended a talk at a small studio led by a well known local photographer. Her number one piece of advice was the standard “fake it til you make it” mentality. But, she expanded upon that, discussing how no one knows what they are doing 100% of the time. With her advice, I learned that having desire to try was far more important than having confidence in being right. That advice has given me the courage to take risks and try things that I never would have imagined and despite the fear of failure, the successes have been remarkable.
Three things that were most impactful in my journey was having a support network to encourage me, finding mentors to guide me, and giving myself grace as I grew into the person and business owner that I am today.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing that my parents did for me was to allow me to have the space to become who I was meant to be. Through their guidance, I was encouraged to explore ideas and try new things while also staying dedicated to following through on my commitments. They taught me that hard work and compassion are two values that will take you far in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennifercarrphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercarrphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercarrphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-carr-photography/
- Other: https://jennifercarrphotography.substack.com/
Image Credits
Headshot- Michele Thompson
