Member Moment: Jenelle Safadi

Jenelle Safadi is a Film Club Member whose Instagram caught our attention because of some travel photos she had recently posted. We wanted to see more from her and share with the community so this week we decided to interview her to see a larger collection of photos and get to know her more. Scroll down to see it all! 

PL: What got you interested in film photography?

JS: I first became interested in film photography after using a few disposable cameras in college with my friends. One of my neighbors developed their own film at home and they offered to show me the whole process and develop my disposables for me. By the end, they had convinced me to buy my first film camera off eBay, so I did!

PL: What type of camera do you shoot with and what kind of film do you usually use?

JS: I shoot with a Pentax ME (that same one from eBay). I use Porta 400, mostly because it was what I started shooting with and it works so well, but I’m trying to venture out more.

PL: Many of your images seem to capture places you have traveled to. What does it mean for you to capture these places/moments on film?

JS: Shooting has become a really fun part of traveling for me. I always look forward to slowing down and keeping my eye out for those genuine picturesque moments. Sometimes the best part is coming home and getting the roll developed. Film photos have a wonderful way of capturing both the authenticity and nostalgia of a moment, making it easy to relive those scenes from vacation all over again when I’m back.

PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?

JS: I’m usually inspired by feelings, whether it’s my own peaceful reaction to a beautiful view of nature or a loving moment between others that I happen to witness. It’s usually those scenes where you just pause and think to yourself, I wish I could freeze this frame with my eyes alone– those are the moments I try to capture.

PL: Some of these photos capture people. What do you enjoy about photographing people? What is challenging about it?

JS: I absolutely love capturing people in those regular-life, wholesome moments. I find the most challenging part to be having my camera in hand and ready to shoot, those scenes often pass by quickly and the “perfect shot” may have come and gone. On the flip side, it is so rewarding when I do catch those moments and the shot is even better than I expected.

PL: Out of all of these photos, which one is your favorite and why?

JS: I love this photo. It was one of those times where I just happened to have my camera ready and captured a loving and playful moment between father and daughter. When I saw the developed photo, I felt nostalgia not only for them but also for my own childhood. Those are my favorite kind of moments to capture on film.

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