Meet Jean Vernon | Fine art photographer/owner of printing and editing studio

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

Hi Jean, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Throughout my life, a well-considered risk has always had a positive outcome. I refuse to be paralyzed by fear of negative possibilities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have come to realize that my photographic eye is just a little different from others who wield a camera, and with modern-day technology I engage in what I call photographic art. My editing skills go far in enhancing a photo so that it tells the story that I want to portray, without destroying the integrity of the picture. Some of my photos are layered in a unique way to add interest. I have been honing my skills for the last 25 years, and it was an absolute thrill to be invited to join the distinguished artists in the Art Under the Arches Gallery. In 2022 the local kickstart program provided matching funds, enabling me to purchase a large state-of-the-art printer. Art Under the Arches Gallery and Gift Shop has kindly provided studio space and I have opened a print and editing shop here in Ajo. I now have four art printers, a scanner, and various peripheral equipment and do a lot of art printing for local artists. I am also able to print directly from media, like phones, so that people may frame and hang their favorite pictures. I also have framing supplies available
Prior to opening the print shop I only had experience with producing my own work. N0w that I am printing for the public on a variety of media my learning curve has been a steep hill to climb. But I love the involvement with talented people.
Between my own photographic work and print shop work each day always brings new challenges.

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?
Well, this is Arizona and there is almost no end of interesting places to go. We’d start with the nearby Organ Pipe National Monument to experience the beauty of the Sonora Desert. Of course the Grand Canyon is a priority, then on to Marble Canyon, the Vermillion Cliffs and Horseshoe Bend. Perhaps over to Monument Valley and Canyon De Chelly. Swing south to the historic Hubble Trading Post, stop for a hike to view the petroglyphs at Lyman Lake State Park. Check out the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Visit historic towns like Globe, and take in the many activities Phoenix has to offer. Side trip to Jerome and Prescott, Then venture on south to go underground at Kartchner Caverns, On down to Tombstone and picturesque Bisbee. A stop in Tucson, then back to the beginning at Ajo. (To the editor: I am not looking at a map, I am sure I left out important places, and there are many locations in AZ that I have yet to explore)

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?
Art Under the Arches Gallery, Ajo AZ

Website: jvernon@ncidata.com and/or https://www.artunderthearches.com

Image Credits
Jean Vernon