Art & Life with Jenni Kotlar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenni Kotlar.

Jenni, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in a small rural town in Northeast Ohio. I remember being completely fascinated by film and television early on at about 8 years old. I was that kid who would watch behind the scenes videos on YouTube about movies and loved the idea of a film crew. To me, being an artist has always included the thought that massive amounts of people come together to create an amazing work of art. I love collaborating, having creative ambitions and working with colleagues to bring it to fruition. I got introduced to the idea of pursuing a career in film/photography in 2013, my senior year in college. Through the ups and downs and many different outlets for my career, I am still discovering who I am as an artist. I’ve had many moments of frustration, thinking I’m not good enough or not “this” or not “that”. Thinking: “I didn’t get a degree in film/photo so how can I know or learn enough or even begin to establishment myself in this industry?” Thankfully I’ve had a few different people and organizations take me in and provide an environment for me to learn.

I got started doing video, working on anything both small and big and then eventually landed in some television gigs. It’s through these past few years of what can be a very hectic and stress filled world with large crews, big expectations, and big budgets that I’ve learned how much joy photography brings me. A small crew of just me and maybe one or two clients creates a space for me to think clearly and just zero in on the image. I love how simple and elegant it can be. It’s really been a way for me to silence my inner criticism. I just grab a camera and go.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My hope is to create work that inspires people and reflects an accurate picture of the beautiful world God has made. I also love color. I get really pumped about taking photos with great color palettes.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
This is a tricky question. I think it has become both easier and harder for artists in recent years. Anyone can get their hands on a camera these days or start painting or dabble in any type of art they desire. This is amazing and more people should be accessing their creative side! I truly think God made each of us creative in a unique way. I think social media and the internet has made it harder to stand out though as a creative, especially if you want to make a career out of it. To stand out you really need to be doing something bigger and better than the next person. I think this can make things stressful as many creatives wrap up their worth in what they create and how people receive and feel about it. I think it’s important to re-center yourself from time to time.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is showcased on my website: kotlarphotoco.com and on Instagram @kotlarphotoco. The best way to support my work is to spread the word about my photography! I’m always looking for more moments to capture.

Contact Info:

• Website: kotlarphotoco.com
• Phone: 330-281-1356
• Email: jenni@kotlarphotoco.com
• Instagram: kotlarphotoco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kotlarphotoco/

Image Credit:
Jenni Kotlar

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