July 01, 2016

Beauty From Ashes | Charleston Film Photography

July 01, 2016/ Jennifer Blair

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives...
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who grieve in Zion -
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
  They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
They will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations."
(Isaiah 61)

June 22, 2016

Psalm 23 | Colorado Film Elopement Photographer

June 22, 2016/ Jennifer Blair

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
- Psalm 23

April 20, 2016

Lady In Waiting - Mentoring Editorial

April 20, 2016/ Jennifer Blair

Much like the grandiose oaks in these images, growth takes time, growth takes waiting for the fruit to come, and the reward comes to those who wait, persevering until the end. There was a beautiful 300 year old oak in my back yard growing up. I love playing in it's shade and climbing the low-hanging branches. It was for me a kind of stability. I knew it wasn't going anywhere. I could depend on it's strength. Our seaside city was prone to hurricanes, but no matter the force of the winds, it remained firm. It had weathered many a storm. It's roots were deep in the earth and so it stayed firm, never budging or showing any signs of damage. That kind of endurance, waiting out the storms of life, digging my roots deep, is what I hoped to express through these images. This editorial reminds my heart of deeper truths - to find the beauty that lies in the waiting and the joy that can be found for the patient heart. Storms may come, but my soul's roots are digging deep in faith in One who can stand the test of time.

March 29, 2016

Stepping Stones

March 29, 2016/ Eden Gardens State Park/ Jennifer Blair

Fear crept into my heart like the grass between my toes. Ever so cautiously my feet hit the ice cold stone, sending shocks of doubt coursing through my senses. "Take this step" I heard a whisper. I know it's right, but this was not the step I envisioned for my life. The grass is easier, I could go where I want and the path seems clear in my mind - green, flourishing, happy, wide open...The little stone seemed anything but where I wanted to go.

Just a stepping stone. Take the step.

I obeyed in faith, but my tiptoes revealed that my heart stepped begrudgingly. "You'll fall if you don't put your full weight on your feet." Trust. Jump to the next step. So I did.

That was nearly 6 years ago now.

February 16, 2016

She Walks in Beauty

February 16, 2016/ Jennifer Blair

I've found myself going in a fresh, different direction this year. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time. When I consider just how many other artists there are in my field, it can be disheartening. Beautiful shots are really a dime a dozen. So I've been digging deep. What fuels my art? Surely it is more than merely capturing "beautiful moments" because beautiful moment are everywhere. I have years of experience under my belt now, but I never want to stop reaching, learning and growing at my art. For me it all comes back to vision, my lens for viewing the world and everything in it. I am an artist. It's who I am at my core. Intuitive. Seeking deeper meaning. New ideas flow constantly. Daily inspiration is a must or my soul shrivels up. I view life like poetry, like a piece of music I am working to compose...never finished, always adding another line or refrain. It dawned on me a few months ago, my visual art should represent my musical and poetic bent in more of a real way.