What part of the First Coast do you reside in now, and how long have you lived there?
We’ve been in the St. Johns area for 26 years; my sons have grown up here, and we’ve made lots of good friends and good memories over the years .. and continue to do so.
What is your favorite part of the First Coast to photograph?
Do I have to limit it to one? 😆 I really don’t think I can .. I love the beaches, especially at sunrise or sunset or when the waves are crashing against the rocks; I love the parks and nature preserves with their greenery, flowers and trees, and peace and tranquility; I love watching the birds at the beaches or parks, or when they’re nesting at the rookery at the Alligator Farm; and I love the beautiful older homes with their beautiful gardens, and historic buildings with all the architectural details and the history they share with us.
What type of equipment do you use?
My iPhone; it’s a 16 Promax.
How long have you been part of the hobby?
I’ve loved taking pictures forever, since I was a kid; back then, it was a camera, and you had to wait to get the prints, just to see that it wasn’t a good picture 😆. Then on to digital cameras, which helped you winnow out the bad pictures quickly, and now with the iPhone, where I can take a zillion pictures and then wade through to get the best ones, and delete all of the rest.
Do you do any type of planning before you head out to take photos, or do you just wing it?
I plan out where I’m going to go walk or ramble, but the photos are just going to be what catches my eye as I walk.
Are there any constants in your photography? What are they? (ie. subjects, editing, lens, etc.)
Constant subjects would be water in its various forms, the beauty of nature, and really cool buildings and beautiful gardens, along with birds, butterflies, and anything that’s uniquely gorgeous and/or colorful.
How would you describe your style of photography?
I don’t know if I have a style 😆. If I had to name it .. reality, so the viewer can feel like they’re with me; is that a style?
Do you edit your photos right after your shoot, or do you let them sit for a while?
I wish I could say that I edit them immediately after, but I’m busy enough, and I take so many photos that it’s usually a few days (sometimes weeks) before I get to that.
Where is your favorite place (or type of place) to take photos?
Outside – any place that’s gorgeous and peaceful, and uncrowded; inside – if it’s beautiful and/or historic.
If you could live in any decade (with your current photographic gear), which one would it be and why?
As much as I love history and would love to capture photographs in different times and places, I don’t think I’d like to live in the past without all the medical advances and modern technology, as well as the ease in traveling to faraway places, that we have now.
What photographer (current or historical) do you draw the most inspiration from?
I don’t really have a historical one that inspires me, but as I’ve become more into photography and doing things with my photos, there are several photographers on the I Love St. Augustine group on Facebook that I admire and respect, and whose photographs I love: Gail, Nikki, Rhonda, Stephen, Michael, Nick, Kay, Susanne, Brad, and several others, have really inspired me and encouraged me as well.
What do you think is the most important component to producing great results? (camera, lens, light, editing, location, artistic vision, etc.)
Location and artistic vision, I think, although I know light and equipment mean a lot as well. I think if you can capture what you’re seeing when you look at something, in a form to share the beauty or meaning with others, that’s what makes a photograph great.
Is there a ritual that you use to get into a creative zone?
Not really; I’m mostly just walking and observing, and then taking photographs of what I find beautiful, interesting, inspiring, meaningful.. or sometimes funny .. so I can share it.
What outside (non-photographic) influences (if any) shape your photography?
Good question. There are a couple of things that I think have shaped or at least maybe refined my photography. The first is that I’m a cancer survivor, 5 years, and there’s something about being made to realize it’s entirely likely you will die in the next few years, but then are blessed with surviving, that hones your senses and makes you see things in an entirely different light and appreciate the beauty around you so much more. The second is the comments from the people who follow me and comment on my ILSA posts; knowing I’m reaching them and touching their lives, giving them a virtual tour of my walks, bringing back happy memories for them or helping them plan for making new memories when they come visit, makes me happy and I feel like I’m giving back to them through my photographs.
What advice would you give someone who just picked up their new camera on how to get started?
Get out, find what you enjoy seeing so you can share it with the world, and have fun. And having fun is the most important part, because your joy in seeing what you capture shines through in your photographs.
What is the goal of your photography? (A business, just to share on social media, gateway to adventure, etc.)
All of the above? 😆. Not really a business, but yes, it’s important for me to be able to share on social media, as I said earlier; gateway to adventure in that it’s an integral part of my walks and rambles, whether that’s here in our area or around the country, or other countries. Mostly, I take photographs because it’s fun and I enjoy it 😊
Do you shoot with your editing style in mind, or do you edit based on the shot that you got?
I’m taking the shot I see, and then cropping/zooming to try to get it to look like what I saw.
Do you prefer to photograph alone or in a group?
Alone .. I want to stay focused on what I’m doing and what I’m trying to capture, and if I’m with others, I’ll probably be talking more than taking pictures; I have enjoyed walking with friends or family where I’m visiting/talking and also taking photographs, but the talking definitely distracts me from being focused.
How do you feel social media has changed photography, and do you think it’s a good or bad thing?
I think it’s changed it in several ways; first, because of the desire of so many people to share their photographs since it’s so easy to do that now, and amateur photographers have it a lot easier to get views for their photographs; second, because of the technical ways people can edit their photographs with filters, color saturation, and other things; third with the rise of AI to alter or completely create realistic or semi-realistic pictures, so it’s sometimes tough to tell what’s real. I think people taking more pictures is a great thing; our photographs are our memories, and it’s wonderful if more people are creating those for themselves or others. I don’t like the filters when they’re used too extensively, because then it’s not what you saw, and I really don’t like AI being used to distort reality or create a new reality.
What is the best way for photographers to network?
I was lucky in being able to connect with so many fellow photographers through ILSA; also, now First Coast Life is giving me another way to connect, which is great.
Do you enjoy books? If so, any specific genre?
I love to read; that’s one of my favorite hobbies/activities. Genres ..mostly fiction because that’s my escapism, so sci-fi/fantasy, mysteries, historical fiction, some humor, some romance, some paranormal, combinations of several of the above; it’s a mixed bag.
What is your favorite photographic accomplishment?
I actually just achieved this one; I have a photo book about St. Augustine and the surrounding area that just got published and is being sold at several places in St. Augustine and Flagler County. I had my first book signing at Barnes & Noble on 5/3 and had a blast, sold quite a few books, and am supposed to do a second one soon. I’ve got another book signing at Washington Oaks on 6/22, which is going to be lots of fun as well. This was a dream of mine for a long time, and it’s so exciting to have it come true.
If you had a question you would like to ask another photographer, what would it be?
Oh, I’ve asked questions of a lot of photographers whose work I really love, and it’s usually some variation of “How did you DO that?”
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
There you are again with the singular 😆. I love the beaches, the parks and gardens, and nature preserves, the history .. the fact that we don’t get too much bitterly cold in the winter… the people, and the more laid back attitude that most of them have … the incredibly beautiful sunrises. Want to go on? 😂
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone?
I think I’ve probably talked too much already 😂
How can we see your work?
You can see pretty much daily photographs posted by me on ILSA on Facebook or the page I’ve recently set up, Walking with Jenny, and you can find my book, “Come Take a Walk with Me .. Around St. Augustine, and St. Johns and Flagler Counties”, at the Alligator Farm on A1A on Anastasia island, the Ximenez-Fatio House and the Spanish Military Hospital on Aviles Street in downtown St. Augustine, the Barnes & Noble on U.S. 1 in St. Augustine, and Washington Oaks Gardens state park in Palm Coast. I’ve also got photographs for sale on Picfair, and am working on getting set up to be a vendor at the Night Market in St. Augustine.
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Glenn is the founder and publisher of First Coast Life. He is also a wonderful storyteller. Born on the 4th of July, he spends his spare time taking his camera and exploring everything beautiful this region offers with his rescue dog Callie by his side. He loves meeting new people and capturing the many beautiful moments and amazing local stories that showcase the true spirit of the area.
3 Responses
Such a pleasure to know you and to share some of your photos! Thank you
Great article. I love Jenny’s photos and own a signed copy of her book.
This was an awesome interview w/Jenny Peterson. She is an amazing photographer. We are cousins and the love for photography runs in the family, even though I haven’t sold any of my own. She takes some beautiful photos on the beach with the waves and sunrises. Her eye for the awesome colors in the sky that shows God’s masterpieces for others to witness is amazing. Thank you for the interview with Jenny.