Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Francine.
Jen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved to Los Angeles from Germany about six years ago to study acting. I had graduated high-school and stayed in my home town for a little bit not knowing what I wanted to do so I was working odd jobs until my friend made the decision to move out here which sounded fun so I joined her. I eventually discovered that acting just isn’t for me and switched to study screenwriting.
A little over a year ago, I moved back home because I started suffering from depression that I couldn’t deal with on my own. During that period, I need something to get me out of bed and occupy my mind enough for it to not constantly wonder to some dark places and so I picked up my camera and started taking photos. It began with photos of my dogs before moving into taking photos of dishes I cooked and styled. For a minute there, I thought I wanted to be a chef but the cooking was really only a means for me to capture a photo of the finished product.
During one of those nights where my depression convinced me that I might never find happiness again, I found a podcast that changed my life called Hashtag Authentic by Sara Tasker. In April of last year, I created a new Instagram account I told no one about on which I would post self-portraits involving flowers. My following then grew and I found this inspiring and kind community which was so supportive and allowed me to create, evolve and grow in my art but also as a person.
I was planning on staying in Europe but when I came to visit here, I fell in love with a man even though I tried my very best not to because of logistics. But after I accidentally confessed my love to him, I knew very quickly that I couldn’t stay in Europe. Thankfully Los Angeles is a wonderfully creative place and it quickly opened me up to taking photos of others rather than myself which I now enjoy more than anything. So here I am, trying to chase my dream job and figuring out life in this odd but wonderful city.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. I didn’t know what I wanted to do until maybe half a year ago or so. I did a lot of different things and nothing ever really fit, causing a lot of self-doubts, depression, and insecurities. I struggled from anorexia for a while, causing hypothyroidism and with it a whole plethora of side effects that I had to somehow figure out how to fix because no doctor really could. I then had a binge eating disorder for a long time and it wasn’t until about a year and a half ago that I learned how to eat normal again and like my body.
Since I was a young child I took a lot of photos, all terribly composed but I was very drawn to it. However, I simply never believed that could be my actual job because I never thought I could be good at it. When I first started my account I was very embarrassed to actually put that much effort into a photograph and I felt like an imposter but at the same time, it’s all I wanted to do so I was struggling with that.
Please tell us about Meerkat Constellations Photography.
I think I most known for my little bit unusual self-portraits because that’s how my journey started but that is also the style I then took into taking photographs of others. I’m still learning and trying out new things every time I go out to shoot but I am quite happy and proud about having developed a certain style of photographs that people recognize and seem to like. I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, I don’t really think about it a whole lot and I am constantly inspired by all the other artists around me. I just try to do my thing and do what feels like me and it seems to work nicely so far.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I am so lucky to have so many wonderful memories from my childhood but one that stands out happened while I was in the hospital because of a kidney infection when I was maybe eight or nine years old. To cheer me up my mom bought insane amounts of Kinder eggs, I think eventually she grew tired of repeatedly going to the store so she brought in around 60 of them all at once and I absolutely loved it. She also smuggled in my hamster in her purse so I could see him. It made me realize how lucky I was to have a mom who loves me this much.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meerkatconstellations.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meerkatconstellations/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/meerkat.photography/
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