Young Love: A New Polaroid Series

This is a series about a couple in the 70s and their child-like journey through love. I am proud about this series for a number reasons:

#1 My friend Ian and I really look like we are in the 1970s.
#2 There were only a minimal amount of outtakes, which = wasted film/money.
#3 Neither my camera nor my film crapped out on me.
#4 I knew Ian be perfect for a 1970s series AND he didn't complain at all while we shot photos (both Polaroid and digital) for eight hours and didn't really stop to eat anything.

and what I am MOST proud of...

#5 My mad self-timer skillz. What most people don't realize is: all of the Polaroids you see of me are self-portraits. Like all my self-portrait shoots, Ian and I only had 12 SECONDS to get into character, including the time it took me to jump into place (and sometimes on his back).

You can view the series in its entirety at http://www.jenaardell.com/ I will be adding all of the digital photos/portraits of Ian to my site very soon.

(Special thanks to Natalie, who helped out by telling me whether my head was in frame in the car shots!! xo)

Robert Townsend Collaboration

I am currently working on a collaboration with favorite contemporary painter, pop realism painter Robert Townsend, who is transforming a macro self portrait I shot of sprinkles on my lips into a 36x36 oil painting for his show at Sue Greenwood Gallery in Laguna Beach, which opens June 2, 2011. You can track the progress of the painting here. You can see more of Robert's work at: www.freecolortv.com

PERSONAL FACTOID: Robert and I met through this very blog, thanks to this post I made about Bill Wood.

A Wake Up Call to ALL Photographers and Artists

I want to share a email that I received recently:

Hi :)

I work for an Advertising Agency in London and were looking to do a fun “happy” campaign in and around the UK – It will be to launch a range of DVD`s and could be used on posters, in store and press ads.We really love your “The whole story” image – how would you feel about us possibly using this image to inject ‘happiness’ to the public! I completely understand if you don’t want to and I hope you don’t mind me asking,

Kind Regards, (Their name)

And here was my response:

Hi (Their name),

Thank you so much for contacting me. I am very flattered you would like to use my "The Whole Story" image. I would love to sell the rights to your advertising agency for print campaign usage. I rely on my photography to earn a living and I hope you understand why I can't give the image away for free. If you would like to negotiate a usage fee, I would love to move forward with this project!!

Hope to hear back from you,

~Jena~

Now here's the lesson: Yes, I am flattered and yes, I would LOVE to see my work used in an international campaign where it will potentially be seen by millions of people but let's get real. If you haven't already, you NEED to stop giving your work away for free. Not only does undermine your work, but it undermines ALL artists' works if ad agencies and companies can find photography and artwork for free. I know this ad agency may never respond to my email (they haven't yet and it's been four days since I sent it), but it's a matter of self-worth and principle. The sad part is I already know what they're going to do next: get back on flickr and search for someone who is willing to give their photography/artwork away for free in exchange for the excitement of seeing their work in print. Don't let this person be you. Start charging for ALL usage of your work (and if it's really creative/unique/one-of-a-kind, charge A LOT). If all photographers/artists do this, then more people will be able to earn a living as photographers/artists. By helping yourself, you will be helping an entire industry of struggling creatives. As for the ad agency, they should know better.

Published in Elle Girl Korea July 2010

My work is featured in the July 2010 issue of Elle Girl Korea on page 176!! :) More photos here: http://tinyurl.com/29hd5fn

Photos from the MOPLA Group Show

Opening at Smashbox Studios 4/29/10:

CROWDED!!

Me and my guy:

Prime real estate:

Bar area:

Me and my favorite boss Dave:

Reenacting my pose:

DJ room:

The place was PACKED!! My "Sexy Silhouette 2" print will be on display until May 20th. Hope it sells!!

MOPLA Group Show

A 24x30 styrene print of my "Sexy Silhouette 2" Polaroid will be included in this group show!!

Opening is April 29th at 7 pm and is free if you RSVP to groupshow@monthofphotography.com Hope to see you there!!

"C’mon, admit it. You’re kind of…well, a big deal. You’re one of LA’s best up-&-coming photographers. You just need more people to know it. Well, here’s your chance to get more of your work seen right here at SMASHBOX Studios. Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA) is calling for submissions for a group photo exhibit that’ll show right here with us on April 29th, 2010. Co-curated by Hossein Farmani of the Lucie Foundation and Dee DeLara of Smashbox Studios."

The Month of Photography Los Angeles will deliver the most comprehensive celebration of Photography in Los Angeles. With the support of the Photography Community, MOPLA will showcase the work of 160 Photographers worldwide. The city of Los Angeles was incorporated in April 1850, 160 years ago. The theme for MOPLA 2010 is 160/160 - Celebrating 160 Years Through 160 Photographers.

Work will be featured until May 20th. Gallery is open Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM. Smashbox Studios, 8549 Higuera Street, Culver City, CA

This made my day...

I just received the nicest email from a model from modelmayhem:

It's very rare that photography can effect my entire mood, but your website just rocked my world. Not only do I suddenly crave a carefree summer at the beach, but I feel a nostalgic innocence awakened from a hidden and vulnerable part of me that I thought was lost. Your images don't just capture a retro look, they encapsulate all the emotions that go along with it. :::Bravo:::
hope all is well,
Frances

Mailing list

If you would like to join my mailing list to receive information from me, regarding news about my work, upcoming gallery exhibitions and publications... please leave a comment with your email address.

Your comment will not be published, so no one else will see your email address and I will not spam you or give your email address to a third party.

Mailing list will be sent monthly, unless something really exciting happens. ;)

Jena Ardell Giveaway

I'm giving away any TWO retro fine art prints from my etsy shop (A $70 value). All you need to do is enter to win!! Just post a comment here answering this question: If you could go back in time and visit any decade, which would you choose and why?? One lucky winner will be selected on April 22, 2010.

Featured in Elle Girl Korea August 2009!!

My photography is featured on pages 2 and 33 of this month's Elle Girl Korea!!

Cover of the issue:

My Froggy on the Letter From the Editor page.
Full Page spread on page 33!!

AND ONLINE!!

I'm so excited to finally be published in a magazine. :)


In case you can't read Korean, here is my interview in English. Not sure what parts they published:

1-1 have you been published anywhere? My work has been published in a Madrid-based online magazine, 10x15, and a London-based online magazine, Appendix Magazine, as well as numerous blogs -- the most notable being Decor8 and {Frolic!}. This is the first time I am being published in a print magazine so I am very excited!

2 What are your favorite things to take the picture? I love photographing things, people, places or situations that have a dreamy, nostalgic appearance. My goal is to "transport people back in time" by creating authentic-looking retro images reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s; so I usually choose objects from those decades.

3 What are you working on right now? Right now I am working on three collections: Daydreams, Life's a Beach, and Under The Boardwalk. The latter two collections are offshoots of my growing Summer Love collection. These collections will be able to view on my website this fall. I also plan on publishing a book titled Summer Love in October which will feature 75 images, including a lot of never-before-seen work.

4 What puts you in the mood to create? I constantly want to create things because I love the feeling of accomplishment when I am able to turn my visions into something tangible. When I do not have time to create something, I make lists of things I want to create. I draw inspiration from anything and everything -- summer, the ocean, Old Hollywood movies, clothing patterns, vintage photographs, the composition of everyday objects, etc. I also spend a lot of time browsing the internet for images that catch my eye because I believe maintaining an inspiration folder is crucial to every artist.

5 What artist(photographer) do you admire? And reason? I admire artist David Hockney's vision of water and fixation with swimming pools. Hockney's Polaroid collages are impressive, especially since Photoshop was not involved in the process. I love the composition of Robert Bechtle's automobile paintings because my eye gravitates toward balance and symmetry. I am in awe of Old Hollywood photographer George Hurrell's portraits. Hurrell used light like no other photographer could or has ever. I am inspired by the simplicity and honesty captured in both Bill Wood's and Bill Owens's photojournalistic shots. Their work is so raw, it almost appears candid. I always strive to capture a similar sense of authenticity. As for contemporary photographers, Peter Granser is among my favorites because I share a similar admiration for subjects and landscapes that appear subtly absurd.

6 What is your dream? My goal is to keep the past alive and to own a tiny bungalow near the ocean where I can shoot photographs all summer long.

7 Where can we see more of your stuff? You can view my portfolio on my website: www.jenaardell.com. I also have an etsy shop http://jenaardell.etsy.com where I sell fine art prints and my work is also available for commercial usage through Getty Images.

Exciting News :)

My "Hello" soup shot made it to Getty Images's TOP 8!! http://tinyurl.com/klaa3p WOO WOO!!

Photos from APW Gallery's Something Different Show (where 30 of my polaroids are on display until Aug 23rd 2009).

Hope everyone is having a great summer!!

News and Happenings: 6/21/09 (and special offer, oh my!!)

My work is featured on booooooom.

I've also be blogged by Appendix Magazine and FFFFOUND!

AND I can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier... four of my photos made it to The New York Times Blog!! (fourth row down). Check it out!!

Happy 1st Day of Summer Everyone!! :)

ONE-DAY ONLY BLOG OFFER: Receive free shipping if you order my "Welcome Summer" 8x8 fine art illustration before 12 AM June 22nd.

News and Happenings: 6/11/09

Three of my photos are featured in Madrid's online magazine 10x15. Check out their "I Love Pools" issue here.

My etsy shop and blog are featured on Spiffy. :)

One of my illustrations is on Pinkberry's website now.

Blogged by Sweet As Candy.

I relisted more retro fine art prints in my etsy shop PLUS a greeting card set SALE!! http://jenaardell.etsy.com

AND SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST... *drumroll* I'M HOSTING A 8x10 RETRO FINE ART PRINT GIVEAWAY!! You can win an 8x10 Homage print.

Hope everyone is getting through June Gloom with a smile and umbrella.

Featured in 10x15's I Love Pools issue

Check it out!!

UPDATE 2/18/2011 : Also featured in 10x15's I Heart Dos issue!!

UPDATES

I currently have 28 images up for sale (for commercial and editorial usage) on Getty Images AND 24 more images will be added!! You can see my collection for Getty Images here.

I was interviewed by fellow photographer Aaron Feaver. You can read the interview here and you can view Aaron's work here.

I was also interviewed by Amelie Foley. You can read her article (en Français!!) and the interview (in English) on her blog.

And as always, you can follow me on twitter. :)

Feeling Good

My work was posted on {Frolic!} AND decor8 yesterday, woo woo!! I'm glad everyone loves the Summer Love Collection.

AND *drumroll* my work is for sale at Getty Images now!! I'm really excited about that.

Expect some updates at jenaardell.com in the very near future... or next 20 min.

Where You Can Find Me:

A 12x12 styrene of my "Vixen" Retro Fine Art Print is currently for sale and on display in the L'Keg Gallery in Los Angeles.

Lipsticktracez is featuring some photos from my Summer Love collection in their online gallery. Check it out!!

Travelomo published a nice blurb about my Oktomat photos here.

I posted a slideshow of my Summer Love Collection on youtube complete with an awesome version of "Summer Breeze" covered by The Main Ingredients.

And as always, I added some *NEW* items in my etsy shop: http://jenaardell.etsy.com

Much more to come!! XOXO

BLOGGED in Peach & Pearl

Adorable nod from Emily at Peach & Pearl The Blog this weekend: http://peach-pearl.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-weekend.html

Seems like a lot of people love my R.S.V.P print.

BLOGGED in Paper N Stitch

Article about my work featured in Paper N Stitch: http://papernstitchblog.com/2009/02/09/americana Check it out!! :)

A great big THANK YOU to Brittni for the wonderful article/review!!

BLOGGED in Mixed Plate's Friday Favorites

Proud to be among one of online entrepreneur/designer Liana Miyamura's favorites: http://www.mixedplateblog.com/2009/02/friday-favorites-60.html