Fun-Fact First Friday
Last month I talked about my introduction to photography and I how I can still smell the darkroom so vividly in my mind’s eye. I’ll be forever grateful to Mr. Maxwell at East Bradford Elementary for providing that amazing opportunity so long ago. I haven’t put down the camera since and my family can attest to all the boxes of prints, slides, and negatives I’ve lugged with me everywhere I’ve lived! I specifically remember my father-in-law, graciously helping us move, again, hoisting a super big and heavy box marked, “photos” into our first place in Delaware saying, “you know, Jen digitals are much lighter!”
From my first Pentax film camera, to the entry-level DSLR (d3200) that I’ve used (still do;)) lovingly to the outer most edges of its capabilities, to the 7,200 images on my iphone….I’ve never stopped taking photos.
I have finally invested in myself and purchased a mirrorless Nikon z6ii that I’m still getting to know and slowly falling in love with. ❤️📷💖⚡️
With all that said, this fun-fact first Friday is a actually a confession …
My photography and I have an open relationship. Yep, Painting also has my heart.❤️🎨
I’ve been painting and drawing since I can remember. I studied art seriously throughout high school and then in college; with Painting and Photography always fighting for my attention, until the late 90s when I decided to commit to painting and enroll in the best school around for just that, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. There was only one issue, Pafa did not offer photography classes.
*fun-fact digression*
One of my professors was making a studio visit and saw a stack of 4x5” prints on a table and shuffled through them silently. He dropped them back down onto the table and said wow, you’re a photographer. These are wonderful! Now, I was a bit concerned for the paintings he’d glossed over (likely just another set of figure painting studies from class) but It was validation that I didn’t know I wanted or needed. I realized then that neglecting my other love wasn’t necessary, or smart and I had to find a way to do both.
My 4th year and final show at Pafa was a break from the traditional, and an all-out exploration in the introducing of my two loves to one another. They got along at times and competed at others, but that’s when I knew my path forward included both painting and photography.
I honestly can’t believe I have no photos of my free-standing painting of Philadelphia’s city hall. 😩 but again, I digress...
Since graduation, I've continued my painting practice in my studio and en plein air, taking on painting commissions, teaching privately as well as with major art museums and grassroots arts centers in PA, NJ, and DE, , and most recently taking on residencies in Tuscany, Italy.
So, finally after the combined gestation period of a herd of elephants, and out of my life-long love for both painting and photography, Jen Polillo Studios, llc was born.
Through Jen Polillo Studios I am able to offer fully customizable creative services, including family lifestyle photography to document your memories year after year, fly-on-the-wall event photography, and creative & branding sessions.
For the more elevated keepsake, I can offer the best of both my talents in a hand-painted portrait package, which includes a creative consultation, full photo session, and hand-crafted one-of-a-kind oil painting.
I'd love to chat and get to know how I can best serve you!
