Inspired, A Very Special Project | Celeste Jones Photography

I am so excited to show off Celeste here today. Her work really resonates with me in such a strong and overwhelmingly amazing way. Her processing is so fresh and her black and white images are just striking and poignant.  Not only are her photos beautiful but the images she shares of her daughter especially just captivate me. It is like seeing a bit of her soul in each and every photograph.  Since her images surely speak for themselves I am going to jump right in.

You can find Celeste on Facebook HERE. You can find her website HERE. And please be sure to check her out on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/celestejonesphotos  (Her instagram images are stunning!)

Hi Sweet Celeste!

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

I’m a wife and mother. I’m an introvert. I’m a photographer. <3 >> *What sparked your passion for Photography?
I’ve always loved taking pictures. I remember picking up a magazine for scrapbooking and that particular edition was dedicated to photography. I looked at the images and was able to recognize that my images were lacking. However, it wasn’t until I lost my father that I turned to photography more seriously. I started reading about exposure and did a lot of shooting. I found my new found love of photography to be therapeutic.

Whats in your camera bag?

D700 and 50 mm.
The 85mm stays on my camera.:)

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Pentax k2000 with a kit lens.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

I would use my 85mm. I like to get up close without distortion and I love the bokeh that I get with it.

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

I would say to shoot what you love and you will find people who will gravitate to that. You don’t have to do what your neighbor is doing to be successful. I have to remind myself of that too.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

Gordon Parks for his honest documentary style of shooting.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

I don’t do a lot of client work. I love to photograph my daughter and I really like the challenges and rewards of street photography.

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

My dad. I miss him and he had a beautiful spirit and smile.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Moody, soulful, honest.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

When I forgot my memory card. Now I obsess about it.

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

I’ve always been afraid to show my work b/c I was afraid that people wouldn’t like it and that would be a reflection of how they feel about me. I will say that I’m blessed to have the people that I have in my life to encourage me and support me. They help me feel okay about being who I am.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Sunset.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

I would draw and write.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

No, I’m self-taught, I’ve learned a lot from ClickinMom’s forum, and I took a workshop on there this past Fall.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

Oh wow, I just go into a session and give them me. We chat, I joke with them and laugh at myself, but that’s who I am. I don’t place a lot of expectations on them. I just want to document them, not have them be someone else. Once they get that they are okay and they relax.

What are your photography related goals for 2013?

I would like to do commercial work.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning?

I challenge myself to do different things. I’ll shoot something from a different perspective. I even shoot things that make me feel uncomfortable. I take workshops and shoot shoot shoot. Oh, and portfolio critiques. Get them they help you see things differently.

Any Big Aha! Moments?

My big “aha” moment I guess would be the day I decided to stop being someone else and started doing what makes me happy. I realized that it’s okay to be me and I’ve actually found people who like it.

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Not taking a chance for fear of failure.

Digital or Prints?

Prints

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I do look at other local photographers and appreciate them for who they are and what they do, but they can’t be Celeste, so I still have that, and that sets me apart from the rest.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

Oh gosh…I really, really want the 135mm 2.0.:)

If you had to recommend  ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

If they are a digital photographer, their cards. I’m for real! If they are film photographer, extra film.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

My daughter hands down. People recognize her before they know who I am.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Purple…all shades of it.
Favorite Season: Fall
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Jelly Belly jelly beans
Pet Peeve: Constant complainers
Favorite Pandora Station: Neo-Soul.
Studio or On location: On location
What did you want to be when you grew up? A psychologist

One thing no one knows about you is:
I can’t tell y’all that! I’m just kidding. I don’t write with red pens or pencils.
Pc or Mac: Pc
Lightroom Or Photoshop: Photoshop
Film or Digital: Both
Props or No Props: No props
If you could travel anywhere it would be: I love traveling and road trips, so anywhere.
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half Full
Favorite photo ever taken: I would say one that I took of my daughter with recycled 3D glasses. I love how they are crooked, her eye contact, and her fingers in her mouth. So imperfect yet perfect to me.

Raw or Jpeg: Raw
Favorite Music to Edit to: It depends on the session.
 Favorite Quote: “Follow your heart and your dreams will come true.” Anonymous

Most valued material possession: I have a few things. They are all letters. Love letters from my hubby when we started dating in high school. Letters from my father to me and one to my daughter. And…a letter from my daughter thanking me and her father for giving her life.

Processing Style:*Rich clean colors and moody black and whites
Coffee or Tea:* Coffee
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?* Nia Long, she has this inner glow. Gorgeous.
What kind of Camera bag do you rock?* An Epiphanie Lyric bag.

One of Celeste’s Very First Images: