Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Jann Ciccarelli.
Katie Jann, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
After I graduated high school I took quite some time to myself to regroup and indulge into my passions. For me, this meant working on my music and getting outdoors more. Not many people heard from me, I kept very private throughout this journey because if nothing else, it was just a time for me to grow and settle into the person I was becoming. I have this one fond memory, back from 2013, of being out on a small boat in the middle of a Lake in New Hampshire, surrounded by mountains with Bob Marleys “Redemption Song” casually playing in the background, and I thought to myself “. This is what I’ve been missing out on?” It was a feeling of total bliss, and it was in that very moment that I made an oath to myself to make my way up to the mountains at any chance I could, even if it meant having to drive 3 hours from Boston to the white mountains. My life has not been the same since. From then till now I’ve climbed countless mountains (on a current quest of completing New Hampshire’s 48 over 4,000ft), I’ve come closer to God through all his creation, I’ve traveled the world, and I’ve picked up photography. Since I’ve picked up photography, all of my creative passion has been invested into that.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Currently, I am working as a freelance photographer. I shoot weddings, Portraits, Maternity, Couples. I do it all. It wasn’t always this way, however. My love for photography began in the Mountains, back in 2013. There was always an enlightenment, often even spiritual connection I’d feel being up top of a mountain. I remember always thinking to myself “If everyone could experience this, people would live their lives much differently and this world would be a much better place.” Just weeks into this new chapter of my life, I purchased my first Canon DSLR camera. It was nothing too fancy, it was all I could afford at the time, but it was the beginning to what I never knew would become my career path. My initial intent of purchasing my camera was to capture nature in all of its beauty and share it with the world with hopes that maybe I could translate just what I was experiencing myself, through my photos. In this time, I began to receive a lot of positive feedback.
People telling me that my photos were inspiring them to get out more and experience it for themselves. This motivated me to step out of my comfortable boundaries and travel beyond New England to capture this world’s beauty. It was then that my versatility as a photographer expanded, and people were becoming the subjects of my photos, but still, in outdoor settings surrounded by nature. I began to get inquiries about weddings, couple shoots, etc. from here. I gave it a chance and with time my love for photography grew even more. I love working with people, capturing them in their most authentic form in the very same ways I love capturing nature. I want people to look at my work and feel something. I’ve always said, “anyone can take a picture, but no everyone could capture a real moment.” It’s with high hopes that I anticipate people look at my work and feel nothing but joy and nostalgia in their hearts.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I truly believe artists have a heavy influence on today’s world and turn of events. I personally find inspiration in the music I listen to, documentaries I watch, books I read, photographers I follow, and while I don’t believe every artist out there right now are using their gifts positively, I do believe that possessing any artistic ability is not something to be taken lightly. Giving the best of yourself and your gifts to the world makes a difference. Rather it be in millions of people’s lives or just a few.
Something I feel very passionate about that is an ongoing global issue is the mistreatment of our environment and the lack of attention and care that it is receiving. I hope to use my art to bring awareness to it and help eliminate any blind ignorance on this matter. It’s our home and a place we need to leave in better shape for our kids, Their kids, and many generations to come. I’m grateful to have an outlet to touch on these things, and I give all of my respect to other artists and activists who are using their podiums to speak on their passions and hunger for change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KatieJann.com
- Email: info@katiejann.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/katiejannphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/katiejannphoto
Image Credit:
Katiejann photography
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