Art & Life with Jennifer Vilcan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Vilcan.

Jennifer, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My dad invested in a small point and shoot digital camera when I was about eight years old. He let me use it once, and I was obsessed. I would take pictures of anything and everything, but I especially loved capturing the smiles and laughter of my two sisters and my mom and dad. Fast forward eight more years and my uncle gifted me his old DSLR camera. I was so stoked and began to offer to photograph all of my friends for their senior photos. This eventually led to me starting a part-time photography business. I attended a photography class and learned more about Photoshop and continued to fall more in love with capturing the natural beauty of each of my subjects. When I recently became a new mother, I knew I wanted to transition my art to capture the beauty of pregnancy, birth, and family life. I’m still in the transition stage but completely in love with this new avenue!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a photographic storyteller. I love getting to know my subjects and capturing their story on camera. I have recently turned this art towards pregnancy and birth and the beauty of motherhood at large. My goal with all my images is to reveal the innate beauty in every person I photograph no matter what they look like. I always hope that my images will remind my subjects’ how beautiful they are…even if society tells them they aren’t.

I also like to mess around with Photoshop and create some funny compositions because I am always learning and growing in my craft. My daughter has become a big inspiration in my continued pursuit of learning and growing and photographing every day. And as a former teacher, I love to help others grow in their craft by posting editing videos and other important business-related information.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
It’s difficult being an artist nowadays. We are inundated with information and images every day that not only do people become desensitized to beauty and end up scrolling right past a masterpiece, but they also demand the world for a little price. Many artists sell themselves short because they believe that the market is over saturated. However, every true artist is different in their craft. There is enough space for us all to bring our work to the table.

People can support artists by commenting on their work, reflecting on it, and sharing it. The saddest part of being is an artist is when our work goes unappreciated because people are too busy to gaze upon it and interact with it.

So taking the time to report an artist’s work or actually by and hang it on a literal wall are important ways to help artists.

Another thing that is easy to fall into nowadays is comparison and despair. When you have access to millions of other artists’ pages on your phone every day, it’s hard not to compare and wonder if you should even continue with the pursuit of this art. As a beginner, it can be so discouraging, so those who have perfected or are further along in a craft should try to encourage and teach those who are just beginning. We all have to start somewhere, and we all need a mentor who sees our potential and will champion us in the pursuit of our art.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can check out my website, www.bumpingoodtime.com or visit my Instagram @bgtphoto. I am always open to inquiries and collaborations. They can comment and share any of my work with friends and families, especially new mothers looking to have their pregnancy and child’s first year of life photographed!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bumpingoodtime.com
• Phone: 520-471-7043
• Email: jvilcan@bumpingoodtime.com
• Instagram: @bgtphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bumping-Good-Time-Photography-276807056288812/?modal=admin_todo_tour
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/bumpingoodtime/

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.