Featured: Photography by Jodi (+ Giveaway! [Closed])

This is a feature AND a giveaway! Meet Jodi, the shop owner and creative mind behind Photography by Jodi. I'm captivated by the imagery and emotions her photography evokes. Some of her prints take me back to cherished childhood memories of happiness and simpleness. Jodi not only uses a very nice fancy camera (which I want) to capture her photographs, but she experiments with toy and vintage cameras as well. Her shop offers prints, jewelry (made using her photos), and notecard sets! Not only that, but you'll get to win something from her shop, with more information located at the bottom of this post :)

Write

Name: Jodi Lebrun
Location: Timmins, ON, Canada
Shop: photobyjodi.etsy.com
Blog: livinglifephotographically.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/livinglifephotographically
Twitter: twitter.com/photobyjodi
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/photomamato4

Blue Bike Against a Fence.

Tell me a little about yourself.
I am a natural light photographer specializing in fine art images and glass jewelry pieces. I am also a mom to 4 great kids and married to my high school sweetheart. I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember and I recently took the plunge and opened up ‘Photography By Jodi’ out of my home. I’m having the most amazing time getting this business off the ground! I spend my days dreaming about what I can create next and then shooting these images with my amazing collection of digital and film cameras (http://livinglifephotographically.blogspot.com/p/polaroid-love.html). I then give my images an artistic spin in Photoshop before I turn them into prints, a variety of jewelry pieces, or a unique notecard set.

Brownie Hawkeye.

How would you describe your work/shop? Who should definitely stop by?
My images-the foundation for all my work-could be described as ecclectic. I will photograph just about anything and give it my special twist! I have a soft spot for vintage items-I scour our flea markets on a regular basis looking for that lost treasure that I can give a voice to through my work. I also enjoy working with textures and layers. They allow me to add a whole different feel to certain images. I currently work off of my dining room table and kitchen counter! My husband is building me a ‘digital studio’ in our basement so that I have a dedicated space for my printers, scanner, laptop and crafting supplies. I have taken over the house but no one seems to mind. I have an incredibly supportive family! If you are looking for that one of a kind print or glass pendant-you should definitely stop by! All my work is original and ranges from gorgeous textured flowers to local landscapes to vintage sewing machines..and everything in between. Plus, I will custom make just about any item as long as it incorporates my image. If you’d like one of my TtV shots made into a square glass pendant-just ask! I can manipulate any of my images to be anything you’d like.

Write - Glass Tile Pendant and Cord

What keeps you motivated?
First and foremost, my family. They are my absolute favorite thing to photograph. There’s 6 of us, plus our boxer, so there is always something I can capture or someone is always cheering me on. I am also motivated by the amazing online community that I connect with on a daily basis. My blog has opened up a whole new world for me as far as getting feedback on my ideas and images and it gives me a forum where I can put my ideas out into the universe to see where they take me. I also can’t say enough good about sites like flickr or tumblr. If I’m ever struggling with what to shoot next-I’ll wander around these sites and I’m immediately sparked by something I see.

Heart.

What is your most cherished handmade possession?
It isn’t a sentimental one or something I’ve made. It’s one of my first purchases from Etsy - my camera bag from Xcessrize. I’d lusted after it for weeks and finally ordered it just before Christmas. I love this bag more than words can say! As a photographer, my bag is my office and it needs to reflect who I am – this bag protects my gear and says I’m totally stylin’- all at the same time!

Baker's Delight Notecard Set

Do you have any advice for those who are new to handmade/crafting?
While I am quite new to the business side of crafting and can’t really impart a ton of wisdom, the one thing that I can say to a newbie is to believe in what you are creating. You have to absolutely love what you make and have the confidence that others will love it also. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.

Pretty Pollen

Tell us who one of your favorite sellers is on Etsy!
I just love Etsy! I spent months researching the culture and shops before I finally committed to opening my shop. In that time I came across so many incredibly talented artists but the two that stick out in my mind are: http://www.etsy.com/shop/soeasilydistracted. Rhianne and I both love Lomography and film cameras and her work is just stunning! Another shop that I just adore is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/stillshootingfilm. Valerie sells vintage cameras-I bought my chocolate Kodak Duaflex camera from her-her collection and photography is to die for!

Diana

Purple Flower - Glass Tile Pendant with Cord

Let's Talk.

Kraft Creek Farm in Timmins

Giveaway (ends Friday - 04/08/11):

• One lucky winner will receive a pendant or a print (up to 8x10) of your choice!
• Open to USA and Canada participants.

How to Enter (leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Mandatory entry: Visit Jodi's shop and tell us which item is your favorite! (1)
• Additional entries: Follow Jodi's blog via Google Friend Connect! (1)
• Like Jodi on Facebook! (1)
• Follow Jodi via Twitter! (1)
• Follow my blog via GFC, facebook, or twitter! (1 entry each, 3 entries total)
• Tweet this giveaway and leave the link! (once per day :)

Already a follower? No problem! Leave an entry for it :) I will contact the winner when the giveaway ends. Winner will be chosen randomly using Random.org.

Thank You Notecard Set

Thank you Jodi for sharing your work and offering this giveaway!