Jenna Michalski
© Jenna Michalski
Words and Images by Jenna Michalski
How did you develop this series?
Recently, I moved to a new city where everything is unfamiliar to me. I became intrigued by the messy and relatable relationship between people and their environment. I also learned these moments are incredibly rewarding when I pay attention to them. Initially, this series started with no expectations. I just wanted to completely immerse myself in the unknown and let my intuition do the work. In a way, this series granted me permission to explore parts of the city often overlooked. With that, I was pleasantly surprised and humored along the way.
© Jenna Michalski
What challenges came up during this project?
I was mostly challenged by the sequencing. One guarantee when working among the public is that it’s chaotic. Not everything will come together cohesively, so stringing together seemingly random acts into a tangible and relatable series was challenging, but also very rewarding.
Describe your creative process in one word?
Ongoing.
© Jenna Michalski
What inspires you to pursue image-making?
The human story. I always want to know more about a stranger or how a place came to be. Photography forces me to slow down and study these delicate moments. I think, ultimately, photography/filmmaking is a way to make sense of it all. Sometimes, my work reveals answers and other times, it adds more questions. Either way, my camera is my tool of choice!
What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper
© Jenna Michalski
What advice would you give to people just starting out in photography?
Take a walk! There are so many expectations, rules, and pressures in this world. It’s not your job to meet all of them. So, focus on what you can control. To me, this looks like going out with a camera, starting a conversation with a stranger, or appreciating the way light interacts with an environment. Over time, the “rules” you learn in school become less and less important. Your style and those pesky technical aspects develop and you find ways to create what you love.
© Jenna Michalski
