Name: Kerensa McConnell

Current All-Time Streak: 370

Joined 52Frames: May 2014

Your “walk-around” gear right now:
Canon 6D (with 35mm, 40mm, 85mm lenses), iPhone 12

The place you call home:
Arlington, VA

Your life in 30 words or less

I’m an art teacher and a photographer. I also make a lot of art in general, mostly drawings, collage and some art journaling. I love to laugh, and I think that sense of humor comes through in my work (at least I hope…).

Can you share 2 images, one from your past, and one more recent, that shows your evolution as a photographer?

What has been your favorite style of shooting lately?

Portraits continue to be my favorites, especially in the studio with a lighting set up. I enjoy using light to help tell the story, whether I’m using cutouts added to an overhead projector for tropical leaf shadows or using a single, focused beam of light. As the weather changes and we’re outside more I’m sure I’ll shift back to natural light, but studio lighting lets me work at off times.

What was the first photo you ever submitted to 52Frames?

How did you find out about 52Frames?

My college friend Zena Carmel – Jessup told me about the group. I submitted 5 photos for consideration, and then I found myself in the most amazing group of international photographers!

What submission are you most proud of and why?

This is far from my best, most technical shot, but it really sums up my imagination. I sewed this dress out of sparkly fabric, and then had my kid swim in a freezing pool while I used an old (slow) underwater camera. I remember limping through photoshop while editing it, but thinking it was even better than I’d hoped it would be!

One tip you’d like to share?

My advice- shoot what you love. I love concocting scenes and weird props with my daughter. For the past 7 years we’ve made clouds out of bags of stuffing, turned wooden pallets into docks, and hung bikes from the ceiling! Some of my photos have been disasters (black trash bags as a mountain landscape, I’m looking at you), but in each one you can see this seed of a weird idea I had. Plant enough of those seeds and you’ve got inspiration for days!

Why is 52Frames meaningful to you?

Where do I start? First, being in this group has given me the freedom to take some pretty boring, not so great photos. If every week you expect to submit your best work, you might wind up fearful of turning in anything less that perfect. But telling yourself it’s a speed bump on the road of your practice makes it easier to keep going. Finally this group has led me to meet some of the most amazing, talented photographers I could ever hope to know. I’ve been fortunate to do photowalks in NYC and DC with members from all over, and I can say I felt like the ultimate fangirl meeting the people in this group. There’s this excitement you feel when you meet up and you’re all sharing what you remember about each other’s photos, or comparing gear, or asking for advice… Which reminds me that it’s been too long – I need to get out there and plan a photowalk for us!

To view Kerensa’s profile on 52Frames, click here: