Thoughts on creating | Stockholm Photographer

I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t stop creating lately! I have been writing and taking photos non-stop. I can’t even keep up with the amount of work I’m producing! Words are filling up my notebooks and photographs are filling up my hard drive. I’ve had EPIC family sessions (at a safe distance, don’t worry) and some great personal photo sessions in the last couple of months.

And the more I shoot, the more I value my work and all the images I have created. I have studied and worked on my craft for years. I am still learning to this day; it will never stop. I have been going back through the Jolly archives at all the portrait sessions I have done through the years, and I can see that I put my heart and soul into every. single. one. I have created countless portraits that will be passed on from generation to generation; many family legacy walls. I know there are lots of homes out there with Jolly portraits on display. I put SO much energy into every session I have - it usually takes me at least two days to recover my physical energy after each session. There is no such thing as ‘a simple snapshot’ for this photographer. You commission this artist, and I will put my heart and soul into the work I create for you. How many people that you hire can say they do the same?

I’m now taking summer bookings (outdoors and at a safe distance), so feel free to mail me at sandra@sandrajolly.com to book your Jolly portrait session, either a family session or your very own session that’s all about you :)

Peace and love xoxo

121Clicks has featured my personal photo series! | Stockholm photographer

Here we are in May already! Has anyone any idea how we go here so fast?! Is it just me or is time really speeding up?

I’ve been full of creative energy lately, so I’ve been spending most of my time writing and taking photos, both personal and client work. I’ve also been adding to my ongoing personal photo series, ‘You’ve Got a Friend.’ This series is about how having a dog in your life means that you’re never really alone. Dogs are such great company! :) I’m very excited to tell you that today this series has been featured on the brilliant arts and photography website 121 Clicks! If you’d like to see the article, you can find it here.

I hope you enjoy it!

Peace and love xoxo

30 of my favourite ever family photographs | Stockholm portrait photographer

When I originally came up with the idea for this blog post, I was going to share 20 of my favourite ever family photographs. Going through the Jolly archives, however, I quickly realised I’d have more than 20 favourites. In fact, I could have added more, but come on! I had to draw the line somewhere ;)

Here they are, folks - 30 of my favourite client family photographs. I love each of them for different reasons. I love the fun, the stillness, the love, the movement, the joy, and the expressions in them.

You know, it really makes me feel proud when I see a collection of my work corralled together like this. When I think of how many generations will look at these photographs and FEEL a whole host of emotions, it makes me think… “That’s quite a legacy you’ve created there, Sandra.”

I also want to say thank you. Thank you to every one of you who entrusted me to photograph your family. Many of you invited me back several times to create timeless images of your family. Some of you have hallways and rooms full of my work. What an absolute honour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mail sandra@sandrajolly.com to book your Jolly portrait session, either a family session or your very own session that’s all about you :)

Peace and love xoxo

My camera gear

When I first started out on my photography journey, I used to find this topic absolutely fascinating. I loved reading about what camera body and lenses other photographers used. Now I know it’s less about the gear and more about the photographer’s eyes and, of course, their soul. Not that gear is unimportant, there is just so much more to it all than the equipment.

That said, I think there might be one or two of you out there who are curious about the kit I use and my favourite lenses :). I should preface this by saying I’m not really a gear person. I’m not into keeping up with the Joneses. I don’t upgrade my camera body or lenses just because new versions of them have come out. I use what I have until a) they break/get damaged, or b) it feels like the next natural step to add an extra lens, improved body to my kit, etc.

Right, let’s get into it:

• My main camera body is the Canon 5d Markiii. I’ve been using Canon cameras since my early twenties and, right now, I don’t see any reason to change.

• My baby, one of the loves of my life, my workhorse is… drumroll, please… the 85mm 1.2 lens. Almost every single one of my favourite photographs was taken with this lens. It just feels like we were meant to be together. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not perfect - it’s very expensive, heavy, clunky and often slow to focus, but when it locks in and I get the shot I want, the heavens cheer.

• My story-telling lens, the one I use a lot for indoor sessions, is the Sigma Art 35mm 1.4. Sometimes I wish I went with the Canon version of this lens, but the Sigma is sharp, fast to focus and lets in lots of light. It’s probably my second favourite lens.

• And the lens that most other photographers (not me) go bananas over is the Sigma Art 50mm 1.4. I remember when I was in high school there was this one particular guy. He was tall, dark and handsome. All the girls got hot and bothered over him, but he just never did it for me. I don’t know what it was. Yes, I could see that he was good-looking and charming, but that was as far as it went for me. I feel the same way about this lens. It’s definitely a great lens, possibly even a must-have lens to have in your kit, and is usually the one I travel with, but it just doesn’t excite me. Know what I mean?

• Other less exciting stuff is a silver and white double-sided reflector, a Black Rapid camera strap, remote triggers which I often use when I put my camera on a tripod, and an external flash - the 430EXii flash. I most definitely prefer natural light in my own work, but unfortunately, given that five months of the year is Sweden is often very dark, additional light is often required. I definitely need to invest in extra lighting and am very open to any suggestions you may have. I am always learning :)

I really hope you found this a little interesting - if you are that way inclined ;)

Peace and love xoxo