Meet Jennifer McDonnell | Photo Stylist – Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer McDonnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ― Maya Angelou

I think about this quote every day. Nobody knows everything. Not possible. I do think some people try and act like they know everything, and my guess is it comes from insecurity. Of course I have my insecurities but I am confident I don’t know everything so I say, embrace the ignorance! By keeping my mind open to new information and new possibilities, I am able to learn new things and grow. And not just grow in my skill set as an artist but also as a human. This quote also gives me grace as to why I wasn’t better in the past. I tend to be hard on myself not just in the present but in the past. Filtering the past with “was I doing my best” helps me extend kindness to my past self if I was doing my best at the time or give me fresh insight as to how I can do better now. I am constantly working on the “know better, do better”. It is a work in progress at all times.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am lucky that I have a job that is creative. I am a commercial photo stylist, which basically means that I make merchandise “pretty” so you buy it. I have styled everything from fashion to homegoods and food and I really do like having that diversity. Things don’t get boring that way. I will absolutely continue to work in this field as long as I can. As far as personal artistry, in the past I have done a lot of beaded jewelry. I still do bead work but recently I have been spending more time trying to learn photography. There are things that you pick up and learn, being with photographers all the time but it really is such challenging art for me. I like working with my hands and this really isn’t that. I am absolutely obsessed with flowers and it is with this obsession that propels me to work through any photography obstacles I have. I want to look at pretty flowers so I will continue to work towards getting those great shots. I don’t think it will just stop with photography either. There are too many other artforms I would like to try. Maybe combine a few of my favorite things. I have a piece I worked on just for myself. It was a photo on canvas that I ended up painting on parts of it, felted it here and there and added some beads to it. It is in my work space, and although I’m pretty sure some might think it a hot mess, I love it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First up would be the Heard Museum. Walking through there is so peaceful to me and inspiring at the same time.

I would also have to take her to the top of Camelback Mountain. This is a place that I have revisited many times in my life so at this point, it might just be nostalgia to take her there but it really is so beautiful.

If we are speaking about nature, we would also have to go to the Desert Botanical Garden. Was just there in May and the butterfly exhibit kept me there for a while! Hard to get those little guys to pose for the camera.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am 100% grateful for all the talented people in the photo industry that I have gotten to work with during my career. All the photographers, art directors, photo stylists, hair and makeup, models, set design, and producers have helped me become the artist I am today. From teaching me about this industry to actual “you can do it” support on shoots, I have been blessed to be around such amazing people that have lifted me up and given me the confidence to be who I am today.

Website: jennifermcdonnellphotostylist.com

Instagram: bloom_n_blossom_

Image Credits
profile pic by Cheryl Rausch All floral pics by me, Jennifer McDonnell